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Railroad Bill

Chords

5.012 votes

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KeyOriginal

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/32

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 32Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

This is an old song that has been recorded many times since the 1920's. There are hundreds of possible
verses and lyrics.
The Instrumental parts are usually a combination of harp and guitar.
(This Riff goes from C to E in each verse)
E|------------E0--|
B|------------0--|
G|------------1--|
D|------------2--|
A|------------2--|
E|---3--2--1--0--|
[Intro]
E|--C3--0--3--0----------E0--0--1--0-----F1--G73--|
B|--1--1--1--1----------0--------0--3--1--0--|
G|--0--0--0--0----------1--------1-----2--0--|
D|--2--2--2--2----------2--------2-----3--3--|
A|--3--3--3--3----------2--------2-----3--2--|
E|-------------3--2--1--0--------0-----1--3--|
[Verse]
CRailroad Bill, he ain't so bad,C/G  
Riff
Ekilled his mommy, shot a rFound in his dad
CRide old GRailroad CBill.
[Instrumental]
   C    E     F  G7
[Verse]
CRailroad Bill took my wife.C/G  
Riff
EIf I'd said a word, he'd hFave taken my life
CRide old GRailroad CBill.
[Instrumental]
   C    E     F  G7
[Verse]
CRailroad Bill he was comin' down the hillC/G  
Riff
ELightin' cigars with a tenF-dollar bill
CRide old GRailroad CBill
[Instrumental]
   C    E     F  G7
[Verse]
CTen policemen, all dressed in blacC/Gk,
Riff
Ecoming out of nowhere, walFking down the tracks,
Cand they're looking for GRailroad CBill
[Instrumental]
   C    E     F  G7
[Verse]
CRailroad Bill, comin' round the beC/Gnd
Riff
ERobbin' a passenger train Ffor 16 cents
CI'm gonna rGide old RCailroad Bill
[Instrumental]
   C    E     F  G7
[Verse]
CRailroad Bill got in a gamblin' gaC/Gme
Riff
Eshot a man down, though he Fwas to blame
Cwhen you Glose your Cmind, let it loose
[Instrumental]
   C    E     F  G7
[Verse]
CHe's down in a jailhouse singin' railer's blC/Gues
Riff
ESame old pants on your pFassenger shoes
CWhen you lose youGr mind, lCet it loose
[Instrumental]
   C    E     F  G7
[Verse]
CRailroad Bill he's a mighty bad maC/Gn
Riff
EShot the lantern from a brFakeman's hand
CJust to see that maGn suffer Cpain.
[Outro]
E|--C3--0--3--0----------E0--0--1--0-----F1--G73--|
B|--1--1--1--1----------0--------0--3--1--0--|
G|--0--0--0--0----------1--------1-----2--0--|
D|--2--2--2--2----------2--------2-----3--3--|
A|--3--3--3--3----------2--------2-----3--2--|
E|-------------3--2--1--0--------0-----1--3--|
Cride, ridGe, ride, Cride.C  

All chords in this song (6)

The story behind the song

"Railroad Bill" is performed by Bob Dylan, a singer-songwriter celebrated for his sophisticated lyrical techniques and ability to infuse folk music with intellectual depth. While Dylan is known for his original compositions, his early work, including his 1962 debut album, often featured traditional folk and blues material. This song places you in the world of an artist who shaped popular culture by incorporating political, social, and philosophical influences into his music. Playing it connects you to the roots of a legendary career.

AI-written from these sources:Bob Dylan — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

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

Railroad Bill

by Bob Dylan

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C/G

This is an old song that has been recorded many times since the 1920's. There are hundreds of possible

verses and lyrics.

The Instrumental parts are usually a combination of harp and guitar.

(This Riff goes from C to E in each verse)

E|------------0--|

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

G|------------1--|

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

A|------------2--|

E|---3--2--1--0--|

[Intro]

C E F G7

E|--3--0--3--0----------0--0--1--0-----1--3--|

B|--1--1--1--1----------0--------0--3--1--0--|

G|--0--0--0--0----------1--------1-----2--0--|

D|--2--2--2--2----------2--------2-----3--3--|

A|--3--3--3--3----------2--------2-----3--2--|

E|-------------3--2--1--0--------0-----1--3--|

[Verse]

C C/G

Railroad Bill, he ain't so bad,

Riff

E F

killed his mommy, shot a round in his dad

C G C

Ride old Railroad Bill.

[Instrumental]

C E F G7

[Verse]

C C/G

Railroad Bill took my wife.

Riff

E F

If I'd said a word, he'd have taken my life

C G C

Ride old Railroad Bill.

[Instrumental]

C E F G7

[Verse]

C C/G

Railroad Bill he was comin' down the hill

Riff

E F

Lightin' cigars with a ten-dollar bill

C G C

Ride old Railroad Bill

[Instrumental]

C E F G7

[Verse]

C C/G

Ten policemen, all dressed in black,

Riff

E F

coming out of nowhere, walking down the tracks,

C G C

and they're looking for Railroad Bill

[Instrumental]

C E F G7

[Verse]

C C/G

Railroad Bill, comin' round the bend

Riff

E F

Robbin' a passenger train for 16 cents

C G C

I'm gonna ride old Railroad Bill

[Instrumental]

C E F G7

[Verse]

C C/G

Railroad Bill got in a gamblin' game

Riff

E F

shot a man down, though he was to blame

C G C

when you lose your mind, let it loose

[Instrumental]

C E F G7

[Verse]

C C/G

He's down in a jailhouse singin' railer's blues

Riff

E F

Same old pants on your passenger shoes

C G C

When you lose your mind, let it loose

[Instrumental]

C E F G7

[Verse]

C C/G

Railroad Bill he's a mighty bad man

Riff

E F

Shot the lantern from a brakeman's hand

C G C

Just to see that man suffer pain.

[Outro]

C E F G7

E|--3--0--3--0----------0--0--1--0-----1--3--|

B|--1--1--1--1----------0--------0--3--1--0--|

G|--0--0--0--0----------1--------1-----2--0--|

D|--2--2--2--2----------2--------2-----3--3--|

A|--3--3--3--3----------2--------2-----3--2--|

E|-------------3--2--1--0--------0-----1--3--|

C G C C

ride, ride, ride, ride.

About Railroad Bill Chords by Bob Dylan

Learn how to play Railroad Bill by Bob Dylan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Railroad Bill chords”, “Railroad Bill guitar chords”, or “Bob Dylan Railroad Bill 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 Railroad Bill chords and for experienced players who want accurate Railroad Bill lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, E, B, G, D, A.

FAQ — Railroad Bill by Bob Dylan

How do I play "Railroad Bill" by Bob Dylan on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Railroad Bill" by Bob Dylan 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 "Railroad Bill" by Bob Dylan free?

Yes. The chords for "Railroad Bill" by Bob Dylan are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Railroad Bill" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Railroad Bill"?

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

Is "Railroad Bill" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Railroad Bill" by Bob Dylan with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bob Dylan below.

What key is "Railroad Bill" in?

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