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Highway 40 Blues

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Highway Forty Blues
Words & Music by Larry Cordle
c1979 PolyGram Int'l Publishing & Amanda-Lin Music
Performed by Ricky Skaggs
Brightly (2 beat feel)
[Intro]
E F#m
B E
G D A E
[Verse 1]
EWell these Highway Forty F#mBlues,
BI've walked holes in both my Eshoes.
Counted the days since I've been F#mgone,
And BI'd love to see the lights of Ehome.
Wasted time and money Atoo,
BSquandered youth in search of Etruth,B  
C#mBut in the end I had to F#lose
Lord above I've paid my Bdues
Got them Highway Forty EBlues.G  D  A  E  
[Verse 2]
EThe highway called when I was F#myoung,
BTold me lies of things to Ecome.
Fame and fortune lies aF#mhead,
BThat's what the billboard lights had Esaid.
Shattered dreams my mind is Anumb,
BMy money's gone stick out my Ethumb.B  
C#mMy eyes are filled with F#bitter tears,
Lord I ain't been home iBn years,
Got the Highway Forty EBlues.G  D  A  E  
[Solo]
# First half Mandolin, second half starting on the A chord is Banjo
E F#m
B E
E F#m
B E
E A
|      B|   E    B|
|    C#m|     F#|
|      B|   E( G   D   A  E)  (2 beats  Efollowed by staccato  G   D   A  E)
# Repeat Solo with first half Electric Guitar then second half with pedal steel guitar
[Verse 3]
EYou know I've rambled all aF#mround,
BLike a rolling stone from town to Etown.
Met pretty girls, I have to F#msay,
BBut none of them could make me Estay.
Well, I've played the music halls and Abars,
BHad fancy clothes and big fine Ecars,B  
C#mThings a country boy canF#'t use,
Dixie Land I sure miss Byou,
Got the Highway Forty EBlues.G  D  A  E  
[Outro]
E F#m
B E
G D A
D A E

All chords in this song (8)

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Highway 40 Blues

by Ricky Skaggs

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

C#m

Highway Forty Blues

Words & Music by Larry Cordle

c1979 PolyGram Int'l Publishing & Amanda-Lin Music

Performed by Ricky Skaggs

Brightly (2 beat feel)

[Intro]

E F#m

B E

G D A E

[Verse 1]

E F#m

Well these Highway Forty Blues,

B E

I've walked holes in both my shoes.

F#m

Counted the days since I've been gone,

B E

And I'd love to see the lights of home.

Wasted time and money too,

B E B

Squandered youth in search of truth,

C#m F#

But in the end I had to lose

Lord above I've paid my dues

E G D A E

Got them Highway Forty Blues.

[Verse 2]

E F#m

The highway called when I was young,

B E

Told me lies of things to come.

F#m

Fame and fortune lies ahead,

B E

That's what the billboard lights had said.

Shattered dreams my mind is numb,

B E B

My money's gone stick out my thumb.

C#m F#

My eyes are filled with bitter tears,

Lord I ain't been home in years,

E G D A E

Got the Highway Forty Blues.

[Solo]

# First half Mandolin, second half starting on the A chord is Banjo

E F#m

B E

E F#m

B E

E A

B E B

| | |

C#m F#

| | |

B E G D A E E G D A E

| | ( ) (2 beats followed by staccato )

# Repeat Solo with first half Electric Guitar then second half with pedal steel guitar

[Verse 3]

E F#m

You know I've rambled all around,

B E

Like a rolling stone from town to town.

F#m

Met pretty girls, I have to say,

B E

But none of them could make me stay.

Well, I've played the music halls and bars,

B E B

Had fancy clothes and big fine cars,

C#m F#

Things a country boy can't use,

Dixie Land I sure miss you,

E G D A E

Got the Highway Forty Blues.

[Outro]

E F#m

B E

G D A

D A E

About Highway 40 Blues Chords by Ricky Skaggs

Learn how to play Highway 40 Blues by Ricky Skaggs with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Highway 40 Blues chords”, “Highway 40 Blues guitar chords”, or “Ricky Skaggs Highway 40 Blues 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 Highway 40 Blues chords and for experienced players who want accurate Highway 40 Blues lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, F#m, B, G, D, A.

FAQ — Highway 40 Blues by Ricky Skaggs

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Is "Highway 40 Blues" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Highway 40 Blues" in?

The chords for "Highway 40 Blues" show the original chord names (including E, F#m, B, G, D, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.