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Taneytown

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Aminor

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Am      C       G       Am      C   G     Am      Em    G
AmI went dCown to TGaneytownAm, I went down to Taneytown
To see wChat I coGuld seeAm  Em  G  
My mama Amtold me Cnever goG, I'm daAmmned near twenty-two years old
Some timCes I feeGl this hAmollow swEmallGowing me.
Ma went off to Gettysburg, her and that new beau of hers, I snuck off after dark.
It's a long way down the Canny Road, the stars were bright & the moon was low,
Down where the blacktop highway starts.
Chorus:
I went down to Taneytown, I went down to Taneytown,
I went down to see what I could see.
Now everybody stared at me, you'd think that they ain't never seen,
A colored boy before.
Well, they jumped at me and they called me names, 
they'd a whupped me sure, but the sheriff came,
I slipped off and ran through the drygoods store.
I ran down Division Street, but some of them boys followed me,
Down to the railroad track.
There was four of them & I came five, but I got my old Randall knife,
I cut that boy & I never did look back.
Chorus
Across the fields & woods I run, like a bullet from a rabbit gun, 
Back home to my bed.
Ma came back from Gettysburg, her and that new beau of hers,
Boy you look like hell, was all she said.
A month went by without a word, till someone down in the hollow heard,
About that boy they hung.
He begged those men to spare his life, but I dropped my bloody Randall knife,
He picked it up, so they thought he was the one.
Repeat chorus twice, second time insert last line, "I ain't going back there anymore."

All chords in this song (4)

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Taneytown

by Steve Earle

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Am C G Am C G Am Em G

Am C G Am

I went down to Taneytown, I went down to Taneytown

C G Am Em G

To see what I could see

Am C G Am

My mama told me never go, I'm damned near twenty-two years old

C G Am Em G

Some times I feel this hollow swallowing me.

Ma went off to Gettysburg, her and that new beau of hers, I snuck off after dark.

It's a long way down the Canny Road, the stars were bright & the moon was low,

Down where the blacktop highway starts.

Chorus:

I went down to Taneytown, I went down to Taneytown,

I went down to see what I could see.

Now everybody stared at me, you'd think that they ain't never seen,

A colored boy before.

Well, they jumped at me and they called me names,

they'd a whupped me sure, but the sheriff came,

I slipped off and ran through the drygoods store.

I ran down Division Street, but some of them boys followed me,

Down to the railroad track.

There was four of them & I came five, but I got my old Randall knife,

I cut that boy & I never did look back.

Chorus

Across the fields & woods I run, like a bullet from a rabbit gun,

Back home to my bed.

Ma came back from Gettysburg, her and that new beau of hers,

Boy you look like hell, was all she said.

A month went by without a word, till someone down in the hollow heard,

About that boy they hung.

He begged those men to spare his life, but I dropped my bloody Randall knife,

He picked it up, so they thought he was the one.

Repeat chorus twice, second time insert last line, "I ain't going back there anymore."

About Taneytown Chords by Steve Earle

Learn how to play Taneytown by Steve Earle with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Taneytown chords”, “Taneytown guitar chords”, or “Steve Earle Taneytown chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Taneytown chords and for experienced players who want accurate Taneytown lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, C, G, Em, A.

FAQ — Taneytown by Steve Earle

How do I play "Taneytown" by Steve Earle on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Taneytown" to a different key?

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Yes. Tap any chord in "Taneytown" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Taneytown" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Taneytown" in?

The chords for "Taneytown" show the original chord names (including Am, C, G, Em, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.