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Cairo Illinois

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

E (2x) B (2x) E(4x)
[Intro]
EIf it's not where you're from
But what you had where you happened to come from
More or B7less I'd say that I had none
Eatin' and Adrinkin' would be all that I dEo
And if it's not what you do
But what you got, then I got less
And out of B7loving or playing, I like loving the best
Now baby, Atake me with you when you gEo
[Chorus]
ATake me to the bridge where the rivers collide
Down in Cairo, Illinois on a Saturday night
         B(1x)   B7  
I might jump in
AEveryone wants to hear a song
That helps the day seem half as long
But I'm tErying
I want you to see that I'm trB7ying, babeB  E  
[Verse 1]
If you've Elost your ticket to paradise
Or you spent your money for the bus
It's cold Ecoffee in the morning, slow trumpet at dusk
Now baby, Acatch that old midnight Etrain
[Bridge]
(single strums on noted intevals)
EDown by the levee
Where you swear God's got you shamed
Just Bcast your doubts and the mistakes that you've made
InAto that old wishing well, well well well well
Don't the Eriver look lonesome at twilight?
Well, there Eain't no looking back
It's just a Bbroken fiddle and an old tote sack
In the Amorning you'll be going EsouthE7  
[Chorus]
I want you to feel like I'm tBrying, babe, oh B7yes, I want you to know that I'm Etrying

All chords in this song (5)

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Cairo Illinois

by Pokey LaFarge

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

E (2x) B (2x) E(4x)

[Intro]

If it's not where you're from

But what you had where you happened to come from

More or less I'd say that I had none

A E

Eatin' and drinkin' would be all that I do

And if it's not what you do

But what you got, then I got less

And out of loving or playing, I like loving the best

A E

Now baby, take me with you when you go

[Chorus]

Take me to the bridge where the rivers collide

Down in Cairo, Illinois on a Saturday night

B B7

(1x)

I might jump in

Everyone wants to hear a song

That helps the day seem half as long

But I'm trying

B7 B E

I want you to see that I'm trying, babe

[Verse 1]

If you've lost your ticket to paradise

Or you spent your money for the bus

It's cold coffee in the morning, slow trumpet at dusk

A E

Now baby, catch that old midnight train

[Bridge]

(single strums on noted intevals)

Down by the levee

Where you swear God's got you shamed

Just cast your doubts and the mistakes that you've made

Into that old wishing well, well well well well

Don't the river look lonesome at twilight?

Well, there ain't no looking back

It's just a broken fiddle and an old tote sack

A E E7

In the morning you'll be going south

[Chorus]

B B7 E

I want you to feel like I'm trying, babe, oh yes, I want you to know that I'm trying

About Cairo Illinois Chords by Pokey LaFarge

Learn how to play Cairo Illinois by Pokey LaFarge with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Cairo Illinois chords”, “Cairo Illinois guitar chords”, or “Pokey LaFarge Cairo Illinois 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 Cairo Illinois chords and for experienced players who want accurate Cairo Illinois lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, B, B7, A, E7.

FAQ — Cairo Illinois by Pokey LaFarge

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Is "Cairo Illinois" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Cairo Illinois" in?

The chords for "Cairo Illinois" show the original chord names (including E, B, B7, A, E7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.