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A Train Robbery

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Gmajor

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'A Train Robbery'
Intro: G  
GThe foreman touched the cCold steel liGnes
GThe rail bed was fDrozen with iGce
GIn the distance an engine was kCeeping good tGime
GThe steam whistle mDoaned just tGwice
CDown in the cut past the old TrGessel bridge
CTwelve fine horses sDtood
GMasked men shivered in the cCold on the rGidge
GNot far from the GDlendale woGods
GThe brass lamp shone from the sCwaying tGrain
GWhen the driver sDaw the red liGght
GHer iron brakes sparked like sCilver rGain
GAnd the metals scrDeamed through the niGght
CThe baggage man peered out to lGook for the fault
CWhen fear froze up his heDart
GHe was staring down the barrel of an aCrmy cGolt
GThat threatened to tDear him aGpart
GWe will burn your train to cinders
Cso throw the money on dGown
GOpen up your damned express car
CAnd jump down to the grGound
GBut we won't touch that old Pullman
CShe's Southern and they claimeGd
GThey ain't offered no reward
CFor Frank and Jesse JGames
CFrank and Jesse JaGmes
GIn long soldier's coats fCrayed with the yGears
GQuickly they scDrambled abGoard
GMen were the sweatin' and the wComen shed tGears
GAnd a preacher prDayed to the LGord
CWhen they opened the safe there was notGhing for them
CSo they strode down through the trDain
GWhat a miserable sight these dCesperate Gmen
GRobbin' old folks for their gDold, watch, chGains
GWe will burn your train to cinders
Cso throw the money on dGown
GOpen up your damned express car
CAnd jump down to the grGound
GBut we won't touch that old Pullman
CShe's Southern and they claimeGd
GThey ain't offered no reward
CFor Frank and Jesse JGames
CFrank and Jesse JGames
CNow some say the devil had taken his sGoul
CSome say his spirit surDvived
GBut we all know he was nothin' but a MCissouri farm Gboy
GJust fighting to sDtay alGive
CHigh above that raiGlroad bed
COn a ridge where the pines grow taDll
GIf you listen to the wind, there's a gChost of a cGhance
GYou can still hear Dold Jesse cGall
GWe will burn your train to cinders
Cso throw the money on Gdown
GOpen up your damned express car
CAnd jump down to the gGround
GBut we won't touch that old Pullman
CShe's Southern and they claimeGd
GThey ain't offered no reward
CFor Frank and Jesse JaGmes
CFrank and Jesse JaGmes

All chords in this song (3)

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A Train Robbery

by Levon Helm

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

'A Train Robbery'

Intro:

G C G

The foreman touched the cold steel lines

G D G

The rail bed was frozen with ice

G C G

In the distance an engine was keeping good time

G D G

The steam whistle moaned just twice

C G

Down in the cut past the old Tressel bridge

C D

Twelve fine horses stood

G C G

Masked men shivered in the cold on the ridge

G D G

Not far from the Glendale woods

G C G

The brass lamp shone from the swaying train

G D G

When the driver saw the red light

G C G

Her iron brakes sparked like silver rain

G D G

And the metals screamed through the night

C G

The baggage man peered out to look for the fault

C D

When fear froze up his heart

G C G

He was staring down the barrel of an army colt

G D G

That threatened to tear him apart

We will burn your train to cinders

C G

so throw the money on down

Open up your damned express car

C G

And jump down to the ground

But we won't touch that old Pullman

C G

She's Southern and they claimed

They ain't offered no reward

C G

For Frank and Jesse James

C G

Frank and Jesse James

G C G

In long soldier's coats frayed with the years

G D G

Quickly they scrambled aboard

G C G

Men were the sweatin' and the women shed tears

G D G

And a preacher prayed to the Lord

C G

When they opened the safe there was nothing for them

C D

So they strode down through the train

G C G

What a miserable sight these desperate men

G D G

Robbin' old folks for their gold, watch, chains

We will burn your train to cinders

C G

so throw the money on down

Open up your damned express car

C G

And jump down to the ground

But we won't touch that old Pullman

C G

She's Southern and they claimed

They ain't offered no reward

C G

For Frank and Jesse James

C G

Frank and Jesse James

C G

Now some say the devil had taken his soul

C D

Some say his spirit survived

G C G

But we all know he was nothin' but a Missouri farm boy

G D G

Just fighting to stay alive

C G

High above that railroad bed

C D

On a ridge where the pines grow tall

G C G

If you listen to the wind, there's a ghost of a chance

G D G

You can still hear old Jesse call

We will burn your train to cinders

C G

so throw the money on down

Open up your damned express car

C G

And jump down to the ground

But we won't touch that old Pullman

C G

She's Southern and they claimed

They ain't offered no reward

C G

For Frank and Jesse James

C G

Frank and Jesse James

About A Train Robbery Chords by Levon Helm

Learn how to play A Train Robbery by Levon Helm with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “A Train Robbery chords”, “A Train Robbery guitar chords”, or “Levon Helm A Train Robbery 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 A Train Robbery chords and for experienced players who want accurate A Train Robbery lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, G, C, D.

FAQ — A Train Robbery by Levon Helm

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What key is "A Train Robbery" in?

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