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City Of New Orleans

Chords

4.779 votes

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Font15

KeyOriginal

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/9

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 9Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

       Bb       F      Gm      Eb      Dm       C      F7      G7   F(?)
e|-------1-----3-----------5-----------1-----3-----------|
B|-3-----1-----3-----8-----6-----5-----4-----6-----10----|
G|-3-----2-----3-----8-----7-----5-----2-----4-----10----|
D|-3-----3-----5-----8-----7-----5-----1-----3-----10----|
A|-1-----3-----5-----6-----5-----3-----3-----5-----8-----|
E|-------1-----3-----------------------1-----3-----------|
[Verse]
BbRiding on the CFity of NBbew Orleans
GmIllinois Central MEbonday morning rBbail
BbFifteen cars and fFifteen restless rBbiders
GmThree conductors and tFwenty-five sacks of mBbail.
GmAll along the south bound odyssey, Dmthe train pulls out of Kenkakee
FRolls along past houses farms and Cfields
GmPassing trains that have no name, fDmreight yards of old black men
FAnd graveyards of F7rusted automoBbbiles.
[Chorus]
EbGood morning AFmerica, Bbhow are you?
GmSay, don't you know me, EbI'm your native sBbon.
BbI'm a train they call the CFity of New OrlGmeansG7  
I'll be gEbone five hundred miFles when the day is dBbone.
[Verse]
BbDealing card games with the oFld men in the club Bbcar
GmPenny a point ain'Ebt noone keeping scoBbre
BbPass the paper bFag but hold the bBbottle
GmFeel the wheels Frumbling 'neath the fBbloor
GmAnd the sons of Pullman porters, and the Dmsons of engineers
FRide their father's magic carpets made of Csteel
GmMother with her babes asleep, rockiDmng to the gentle beat
FAnd the rhythm of the F7rails is all they fBbeel.
      ::Chorus::
[Verse]
BbNightime on the FCity of New OrleBbans
GmChanging cars in EbMemphis, TennessBbee
BbHalf way home weF'll be there by mornBbing
Gmthrough the Mississippi darkness Frolling down to the Bbsea.
Gmand all the towns and people Dmseem to fade into a bad dream
FAnd the steel rail still ain't heard the Cnews
GmThe conductor sings his songs again, Dmthe passagers will please refrain
FThis train got the disF7appearing railroad blBbues.
[Chorus]
EbGood night AmeFrica, How aBbre you?
GmSay, don't you know me, EbI'm your native sBbon.
BbI'm the train they call the CiFty of New OrleGmansG7  
I'll be Ebgone five hundred mFiles when the day is Bbdone.

All chords in this song (8)

The story behind the song

This song finds its place within Johnny Cash's world of storytelling, often touching on themes of sorrow and redemption. His music is known for its distinctive train-like rhythms, a sound that would naturally lend itself to a song about a journey. Playing this, you can channel the deep, calm presence that defined Cash's performances. It embodies a sense of travel and observation, much like a journey through the heartland.

AI-written from these sources:Johnny Cash — Wikipedia ↗

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

City Of New Orleans

by Johnny Cash

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Bb F Gm Eb Dm C F7 G7 F

(?)

e|-------1-----3-----------5-----------1-----3-----------|

B|-3-----1-----3-----8-----6-----5-----4-----6-----10----|

G|-3-----2-----3-----8-----7-----5-----2-----4-----10----|

D|-3-----3-----5-----8-----7-----5-----1-----3-----10----|

A|-1-----3-----5-----6-----5-----3-----3-----5-----8-----|

E|-------1-----3-----------------------1-----3-----------|

[Verse]

Bb F Bb

Riding on the City of New Orleans

Gm Eb Bb

Illinois Central Monday morning rail

Bb F Bb

Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders

Gm F Bb

Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail.

Gm Dm

All along the south bound odyssey, the train pulls out of Kenkakee

F C

Rolls along past houses farms and fields

Gm Dm

Passing trains that have no name, freight yards of old black men

F F7 Bb

And graveyards of rusted automobiles.

[Chorus]

Eb F Bb

Good morning America, how are you?

Gm Eb Bb

Say, don't you know me, I'm your native son.

Bb F Gm G7

I'm a train they call the City of New Orleans

Eb F Bb

I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done.

[Verse]

Bb F Bb

Dealing card games with the old men in the club car

Gm Eb Bb

Penny a point ain't noone keeping score

Bb F Bb

Pass the paper bag but hold the bottle

Gm F Bb

Feel the wheels rumbling 'neath the floor

Gm Dm

And the sons of Pullman porters, and the sons of engineers

F C

Ride their father's magic carpets made of steel

Gm Dm

Mother with her babes asleep, rocking to the gentle beat

F F7 Bb

And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel.

::Chorus::

[Verse]

Bb F Bb

Nightime on the City of New Orleans

Gm Eb Bb

Changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee

Bb F Bb

Half way home we'll be there by morning

Gm F Bb

through the Mississippi darkness rolling down to the sea.

Gm Dm

and all the towns and people seem to fade into a bad dream

F C

And the steel rail still ain't heard the news

Gm Dm

The conductor sings his songs again, the passagers will please refrain

F F7 Bb

This train got the disappearing railroad blues.

[Chorus]

Eb F Bb

Good night America, How are you?

Gm Eb Bb

Say, don't you know me, I'm your native son.

Bb F Gm G7

I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans

Eb F Bb

I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done.

About City Of New Orleans Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play City Of New Orleans by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “City Of New Orleans chords”, “City Of New Orleans guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash City Of New Orleans 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 City Of New Orleans chords and for experienced players who want accurate City Of New Orleans lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Bb, F, Gm, Eb, Dm, C.

FAQ — City Of New Orleans by Johnny Cash

How do I play "City Of New Orleans" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "City Of New Orleans" by Johnny Cash 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 "City Of New Orleans" by Johnny Cash free?

Yes. The chords for "City Of New Orleans" by Johnny Cash are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "City Of New Orleans" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "City Of New Orleans"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "City Of New Orleans" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "City Of New Orleans" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "City Of New Orleans" by Johnny Cash with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Cash below.

What key is "City Of New Orleans" in?

The chords for "City Of New Orleans" show the original chord names (including Bb, F, Gm, Eb, Dm, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.