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Canadian Railroad Trilogy

Chords

4.9569 votes

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Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Capo on fret 3 (as written in this song)

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/2

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 2Position: 2

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

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DIAGRAMS for the maj7 chords:
e|--Dmaj7--2------Cmaj7--0-----|
B|----2--------0-----|
G|----2--------0-----|
D|----0--------2-----|
A|-------------3-----|
E|----X--------X-----|
CAPO 3 (to be in key with Ol' Gord)
DThere was a time in Gthis fair land when the Drailroad did not run
When the Dmaj7wild majestic Gmountains stood Aalone against the sun
DLong before the Gwhite man and Dlong before the wheel
When the Dgreen dark Aforest was too Csilent to be DrealAm  D  Am  D  
But Dtime has no beGginnings and the Dhistory has no bounds
As Dmaj7to this verdant Gcountry they Acame from all around
They Dsailed upon her Gwaterways and they Dwalked the forests tall
Built the Dmines, the mills and the Afactories for the Cgood of us DallAm  D  Am  D  
And Dwhen the young man's Gfancy had Dturned into the spring
The Dmaj7railroad men grew Grestless for to Ahear the hammers ring
Their Dminds were overGflowing with the Dvisions of their day
With Dmany a fortune Awon and lost and Cmany a debt to Dpay
For they Alooked in the future and Emwhat did they see
They saw an Ciron road running from the Dsea to the sea
ABringing the goods to a Emyoung growing land
All Cup from the seaports and Dinto their hands
Look awCay said Dthey acCross this mighty Dland
From the Ceastern Dshore to the Cwestern Dstrand
ABring in the workers and Embring up the rails
We gotta Clay down the tracks and Dtear up the trails
AOpen her heart let the Emlife blood flow
Gotta Cget on our way 'cause we're Dmoving too slow
ABring in the workers and Embring up the rails
We gotta Clay down the tracks and Dtear up the trails
AOpen her heart let the Emlife blood flow
Gotta Cget on our way 'cause we're Dmoving too slow
                           C                  A(fadeout A)
Get on our way 'cause we're moving too slow
BeDhind the blue Rockies the Gsun is deAclining
The Dstars they come Gstealing at the Eclose of the AdayA7  
DAcross the wide D7prairie our Gloved ones lie Asleeping
DBeyond the dark Goceans in a place Afar aDway
DWe are the navvies who Gwork upon the railAway
DSwinging our Ghammers in the Ebright blazing AsunA7  
DLiving on D7stew and Gdrinking bad Awhiskey
DBending our backs Gtil the long Adays are Ddone
DWe are the navvies who Gwork upon the railAway
DSwinging our Ghammers in the Ebright blazing AsunA7  
DLaying down D7track and Gbuilding the bridAges
DBending our old backs Gtil the railAroad...  is Ddone
So Aover the mountains and Emover the plains
CInto the muskeg and Dinto the rain
AUp the St. Lawrence all the Emway to Gaspé
CSwinging our hammers and Ddrawing our pay
ADrivin' 'em in and Emtying them down
ACway to the bunkhouse and Dinto the town
A Adollar a day and a Emplace for my head
A Cdrink to the living, a Atoast to the dead
Oh the Dsong of the Amfuture has been Dsung
All the Ambattles have been Dwon
On the Ammountain tops we Dstand
All the Amworld at our Dcommand
We have Amopened up her Dsoil
              Am(hit once!)         A  
With our teardrops...       and our toil
For there Dwas a time in Gthis fair land when the Drailroad did not run
When the Dmaj7wild majestic Gmountains stood Aalone against the sun
DLong before the Gwhite man and Dlong before the wheel
When the Dgreen dark Aforest was too Csilent to be Dreal
When the Dgreen dark Aforest was too Csilent to be Dreal
                D   A(let ring... pause)
And many are the dead men…
too CsilentCmaj7...     to be DrealAm  D  Am  D  

All chords in this song (11)

The story behind the song

This story song paints a vivid picture of the building of the trans-Canada Canadian Pacific Railway. Commissioned to celebrate the Canadian Centennial, the song describes the immense undertaking of its construction, which was completed in 1885. It captures the spirit of a nation coming together through a monumental effort. Playing this song evokes a sense of historical journey and the pioneering spirit of a country.

AI-written from these sources:Canadian Railroad Trilogy — Wikipedia ↗Gordon Lightfoot — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Canadian Railroad Trilogy

by Gordon Lightfoot

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 3 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Dmaj7

Cmaj7

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DIAGRAMS for the maj7 chords:

Dmaj7 Cmaj7

e|----2--------0-----|

B|----2--------0-----|

G|----2--------0-----|

D|----0--------2-----|

A|-------------3-----|

E|----X--------X-----|

CAPO 3 (to be in key with Ol' Gord)

D G D

There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run

Dmaj7 G A

When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun

D G D

Long before the white man and long before the wheel

D A C D Am D Am D

When the green dark forest was too silent to be real

D G D

But time has no beginnings and the history has no bounds

Dmaj7 G A

As to this verdant country they came from all around

D G D

They sailed upon her waterways and they walked the forests tall

D A C D Am D Am D

Built the mines, the mills and the factories for the good of us all

D G D

And when the young man's fancy had turned into the spring

Dmaj7 G A

The railroad men grew restless for to hear the hammers ring

D G D

Their minds were overflowing with the visions of their day

D A C D

With many a fortune won and lost and many a debt to pay

A Em

For they looked in the future and what did they see

C D

They saw an iron road running from the sea to the sea

A Em

Bringing the goods to a young growing land

C D

All up from the seaports and into their hands

C D C D

Look away said they across this mighty land

C D C D

From the eastern shore to the western strand

A Em

Bring in the workers and bring up the rails

C D

We gotta lay down the tracks and tear up the trails

A Em

Open her heart let the life blood flow

C D

Gotta get on our way 'cause we're moving too slow

A Em

Bring in the workers and bring up the rails

C D

We gotta lay down the tracks and tear up the trails

A Em

Open her heart let the life blood flow

C D

Gotta get on our way 'cause we're moving too slow

C A A

(fadeout )

Get on our way 'cause we're moving too slow

D G A

Behind the blue Rockies the sun is declining

D G E A A7

The stars they come stealing at the close of the day

D D7 G A

Across the wide prairie our loved ones lie sleeping

D G A D

Beyond the dark oceans in a place far away

D G A

We are the navvies who work upon the railway

D G E A A7

Swinging our hammers in the bright blazing sun

D D7 G A

Living on stew and drinking bad whiskey

D G A D

Bending our backs til the long days are done

D G A

We are the navvies who work upon the railway

D G E A A7

Swinging our hammers in the bright blazing sun

D D7 G A

Laying down track and building the bridges

D G A D

Bending our old backs til the railroad... is done

A Em

So over the mountains and over the plains

C D

Into the muskeg and into the rain

A Em

Up the St. Lawrence all the way to Gaspé

C D

Swinging our hammers and drawing our pay

A Em

Drivin' 'em in and tying them down

C D

Away to the bunkhouse and into the town

A Em

A dollar a day and a place for my head

C A

A drink to the living, a toast to the dead

D Am D

Oh the song of the future has been sung

Am D

All the battles have been won

Am D

On the mountain tops we stand

Am D

All the world at our command

Am D

We have opened up her soil

Am A

(hit once!)

With our teardrops... and our toil

D G D

For there was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run

Dmaj7 G A

When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun

D G D

Long before the white man and long before the wheel

D A C D

When the green dark forest was too silent to be real

D A C D

When the green dark forest was too silent to be real

D A

(let ring... pause)

And many are the dead men…

C Cmaj7 D Am D Am D

too silent... to be real

About Canadian Railroad Trilogy Chords by Gordon Lightfoot

Learn how to play Canadian Railroad Trilogy by Gordon Lightfoot with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Canadian Railroad Trilogy chords”, “Canadian Railroad Trilogy guitar chords”, or “Gordon Lightfoot Canadian Railroad Trilogy 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 Canadian Railroad Trilogy chords and for experienced players who want accurate Canadian Railroad Trilogy lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dmaj7, Cmaj7, B, G, D, A.

FAQ — Canadian Railroad Trilogy by Gordon Lightfoot

How do I play "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" by Gordon Lightfoot on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" by Gordon Lightfoot 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 "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" by Gordon Lightfoot free?

Yes. The chords for "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" by Gordon Lightfoot are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Canadian Railroad Trilogy"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" by Gordon Lightfoot with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Gordon Lightfoot below.

What key is "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" in?

The chords for "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" show the original chord names (including Dmaj7, Cmaj7, B, G, D, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.