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My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys

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My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
----------------------------------
performed by Willie Nelson
This song is in 3/4 time. It sounds best if you hit the bass note of the
chord on the first beat of each measure. You might want to put in some bass
runs like A-B-C#-D between A and D chords where it sounds right.
[Intro]
D
[Verse 1]
I Dgrew up dreaming of being a cowboy
  GAnd loving the cowboy wDays
 DPursuing the life of my high riding heroes
   E7I burned up my childhood A7days
  DI learned all the rules of a modern day drifter
 GDon't you hold on to nothing too Dlong
 GJust take what you need from the lDadies and Gleave them
With the Dwords of a A7sad country Dsong
[Chorus]
My Gheroes have always been Dcowboys
   E7And they still are it A7seems
 GSadly in search of Dand one step in Gback of
ThemDselves and their A7slow moving Ddreams
[Verse 2]
 DCowboys are special with their own brand of misery
GFrom being alone too Dlong
DYou could die from the cold in the arms of a nightman
KnoE7wing well that your best days are A7gone
  DPicking up hookers instead of my pen
I let the Gwords of my youth fade aDway
 GOld worn out saddles and Dold worn out memoGries
With Dno one and A7no place to Dstay
[Chorus]
My Gheroes have always been Dcowboys
   E7And they still are it A7seems
 GSadly in search of and Done step in bGack of
ThemDselves and their A7slow moving Ddreams
GSadly in search of and Done step in bGack of
ThemDselves and their A7slow moving Ddreams

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

"My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" explores the contrast between a childhood dream of cowboy life and the harsh reality discovered later. The song, written by Sharon Vaughn, became a hit for Willie Nelson, who was a key figure in the outlaw country movement. Nelson's version was featured on The Electric Horseman soundtrack. It plays like a bittersweet reflection on youthful ideals meeting the complexities of the real world.

AI-written from these sources:My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (song) — Wikipedia ↗Willie Nelson — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys

by Willie Nelson

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys

----------------------------------

performed by Willie Nelson

This song is in 3/4 time. It sounds best if you hit the bass note of the

chord on the first beat of each measure. You might want to put in some bass

runs like A-B-C#-D between A and D chords where it sounds right.

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

I grew up dreaming of being a cowboy

G D

And loving the cowboy ways

Pursuing the life of my high riding heroes

E7 A7

I burned up my childhood days

I learned all the rules of a modern day drifter

G D

Don't you hold on to nothing too long

G D G

Just take what you need from the ladies and leave them

D A7 D

With the words of a sad country song

[Chorus]

G D

My heroes have always been cowboys

E7 A7

And they still are it seems

G D G

Sadly in search of and one step in back of

D A7 D

Themselves and their slow moving dreams

[Verse 2]

Cowboys are special with their own brand of misery

G D

From being alone too long

You could die from the cold in the arms of a nightman

E7 A7

Knowing well that your best days are gone

Picking up hookers instead of my pen

G D

I let the words of my youth fade away

G D G

Old worn out saddles and old worn out memories

D A7 D

With no one and no place to stay

[Chorus]

G D

My heroes have always been cowboys

E7 A7

And they still are it seems

G D G

Sadly in search of and one step in back of

D A7 D

Themselves and their slow moving dreams

G D G

Sadly in search of and one step in back of

D A7 D

Themselves and their slow moving dreams

About My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys Chords by Willie Nelson

Learn how to play My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys by Willie Nelson with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys chords”, “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys guitar chords”, or “Willie Nelson My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys 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 My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys chords and for experienced players who want accurate My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, B, C, D, G, E7.

FAQ — My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys by Willie Nelson

How do I play "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" by Willie Nelson on guitar?

Open the free chords for "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" by Willie Nelson on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" by Willie Nelson free?

Yes. The chords for "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" by Willie Nelson are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" by Willie Nelson with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Willie Nelson below.

What key is "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" in?

The chords for "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" show the original chord names (including A, B, C, D, G, E7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.