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Downbound Train

Chords

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Downbound Train chords
Capo III *
 Em    G   D   Dsus4   D   Dsus4   D2x
I had a Emjob, I had a Ggirl
I had something Dgoing mister in this world
I got laid Emoff down at the lumber Gyard
Our love went Dbad, times got hard
Now I Cmaj7work down at the Dcar wash
Where all it ever does is Emrain
Don't you Cfeel like you're a Drider on a Emdownbound Dtrain
She just said EmJoe, I gotta Ggo
We had it Donce, we ain't got it any more
She packed her Embags, left me beGhind
She bought a Dticket on the central line
Nights as I Cmaj7sleep, I hear that whistle Dwhining
I feel her kiss in the misty Emrain
And I Cfeel like I'm a Drider on a Emdownbound Dtrain
Cmaj7 D  Em  C D Em D
Last Emnight I heard your Gvoice
You were crying, Dcrying, you were so alone
You said your Emlove had never Gdied
You were Dwaiting for me at home
Put on my Emjacket, I ran through the Gwoods
I ran till I Dthought my chest would explode
There in Emthe clearing, beyond the Ghighway
In the Dmoonlight, our wedding house shone
I rushed through the Emyard, I burst through the Gfront door
My head pounding Dhard, up the stairs I climbed
The room was Emdark, our bed was Gempty
Then I Dheard that long whistle whine
And I Cmaj7dropped to my Emknees, hung my head and Gcried
Now I Cswing a sledge hammer on a Droad gang
Knocking down them cross ties, working in the Emrain
Now don't it Cfeel like you're a Drider on a Emdownbound Dtrain
 Em    G   D   Dsus4   D   Dsus4   D5x
* Alternate:
Capo I
    Em= F#m  
     G= A  
     D= E  
 Dsus4= Esus4  
 Cmaj7= Dmaj7  
     C= D  

All chords in this song (11)

The story behind the song

This song is a melancholy lament for a lost spouse, telling the story of a life turned upside down. It paints a picture of heartbreak and struggle, with the vivid image of working at a car wash where "all it ever does is rain." Originally appearing on the 1984 album Born in the U.S.A., this track began its life as a solo acoustic version during the sessions for the Nebraska album. At its heart, it captures the raw ache of loss and the relentless grind of a changed existence.

AI-written from these sources:Downbound Train — Wikipedia ↗Bruce Springsteen — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Downbound Train

by Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dsus4

Cmaj7

F#m

Esus4

Dmaj7

Downbound Train chords

Capo III *

Em G D Dsus4 D Dsus4 D

Em G

I had a job, I had a girl

I had something going mister in this world

Em G

I got laid off down at the lumber yard

Our love went bad, times got hard

Cmaj7 D

Now I work down at the car wash

Where all it ever does is rain

C D Em D

Don't you feel like you're a rider on a downbound train

Em G

She just said Joe, I gotta go

We had it once, we ain't got it any more

Em G

She packed her bags, left me behind

She bought a ticket on the central line

Cmaj7 D

Nights as I sleep, I hear that whistle whining

I feel her kiss in the misty rain

C D Em D

And I feel like I'm a rider on a downbound train

Cmaj7 D Em C D Em D

Em G

Last night I heard your voice

You were crying, crying, you were so alone

Em G

You said your love had never died

You were waiting for me at home

Em G

Put on my jacket, I ran through the woods

I ran till I thought my chest would explode

Em G

There in the clearing, beyond the highway

In the moonlight, our wedding house shone

Em G

I rushed through the yard, I burst through the front door

My head pounding hard, up the stairs I climbed

Em G

The room was dark, our bed was empty

Then I heard that long whistle whine

Cmaj7 Em G

And I dropped to my knees, hung my head and cried

C D

Now I swing a sledge hammer on a road gang

Knocking down them cross ties, working in the rain

C D Em D

Now don't it feel like you're a rider on a downbound train

Em G D Dsus4 D Dsus4 D

* Alternate:

Capo I

Em F#m

G A

D E

Dsus4 Esus4

Cmaj7 Dmaj7

C D

About Downbound Train Chords by Bruce Springsteen

Learn how to play Downbound Train by Bruce Springsteen with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Downbound Train chords”, “Downbound Train guitar chords”, or “Bruce Springsteen Downbound Train 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 Downbound Train chords and for experienced players who want accurate Downbound Train lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, G, D, Dsus4, Cmaj7, C.

FAQ — Downbound Train by Bruce Springsteen

How do I play "Downbound Train" by Bruce Springsteen on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Downbound Train" by Bruce Springsteen 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 "Downbound Train" by Bruce Springsteen free?

Yes. The chords for "Downbound Train" by Bruce Springsteen are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Downbound Train" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Downbound Train" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Downbound Train"?

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

Is "Downbound Train" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Downbound Train" by Bruce Springsteen with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bruce Springsteen below.

What key is "Downbound Train" in?

The chords for "Downbound Train" show the original chord names (including Em, G, D, Dsus4, Cmaj7, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.