Now playing

When I Was A Cowboy

Chords

4.84 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
G   G   G   G
[Verse 1]
I was a FcoCw-Gboy, out in the FalCl-Gey.
Me and my FsiCx-Ggun keep Amlaw on the DpraiGrie.
I remember my Ffirst Chorse Gwell. He was lean but a FfaCst Gone.
We traveled Fmiles CtogeGther Amuntil he got DstoGlen.
[Chorus]
And the Dsheriff said, "Get early to bed
and Amalways keep your Chat screwed on real Gtight,
n' case you get into a Emfight."
Well, that's Cone of the Dtricks that you Gmust Cemploy
if you Dwanna be a CcowGboy,
[Verse 2]
I traveled Ffar Cfrom Ghome, even jumped FfreiCght Gtrains.
Threw stones in the Fo-Co-Gcean, slept Amout in the Dcold Grain.
It was down in some FsouCthern Gtown and the music was FplaCy-Gyin'
and the people were Ftalkin' Cso Gloud. They heard no Amwords I was DsayGin'.
[Chorus]
And the Dsheriff said, "Get early to bed
and Amalways keep your Chat screwed on real Gtight,
n' case you get into a Emfight."
Well, that's Cone of the Dtricks that you Gmust Cemploy
if you Dwanna be a CcowGboy,
[Verse 3]
I dreamed of a FmoCunGtain, with one lonesome Fri-Ci-Gder.
He was ragged and FtaC-tGtered and he Amcarried a DsaGber.
And all through the Fca-Ca-nGyon, you could hear his bones Fra-Ca-Gttle.
He was dead on a FdyCing Ghorse and he was Amtied to the DsaGddle.
[Chorus]
And the Dsheriff said, "Get early to bed
and Amalways keep your Chat screwed on real Gtight,
n' case you get into a Emfight."
Well, that's Cone of the Dtricks that you Gmust Cemploy
if you Dwanna be a CcowbGoy,
[Verse 4]
I was a FcoCw-Gboy out on the FprCaiGrie.
Life is much FeaCsiGer now back Amhome in the DalGley.
[Chorus]
And the Dsheriff said, "Get early to bed
and Amalways keep your Chat screwed on real Gtight,
n' case you get into a Emfight."
Well, that's Cone of the Dtricks that you Gmust Cemploy
if you Dwanna be a cowGboy,

All chords in this song (6)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

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

When I Was A Cowboy

by Ralph McTell

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

G G G G

[Verse 1]

F C G F C G

I was a cow-boy, out in the all-ey.

F C G Am D G

Me and my six-gun keep law on the prairie.

F C G F C G

I remember my first horse well. He was lean but a fast one.

F C G Am D G

We traveled miles together until he got stolen.

[Chorus]

And the sheriff said, "Get early to bed

Am C G

and always keep your hat screwed on real tight,

n' case you get into a fight."

C D G C

Well, that's one of the tricks that you must employ

D C G

if you wanna be a cowboy,

[Verse 2]

F C G F C G

I traveled far from home, even jumped freight trains.

F C G Am D G

Threw stones in the o-o-cean, slept out in the cold rain.

F C G F C G

It was down in some southern town and the music was play-yin'

F C G Am D G

and the people were talkin' so loud. They heard no words I was sayin'.

[Chorus]

And the sheriff said, "Get early to bed

Am C G

and always keep your hat screwed on real tight,

n' case you get into a fight."

C D G C

Well, that's one of the tricks that you must employ

D C G

if you wanna be a cowboy,

[Verse 3]

F C G F C G

I dreamed of a mountain, with one lonesome ri-i-der.

F C G Am D G

He was ragged and ta-ttered and he carried a saber.

F C G F C G

And all through the ca-a-nyon, you could hear his bones ra-a-ttle.

F C G Am D G

He was dead on a dying horse and he was tied to the saddle.

[Chorus]

And the sheriff said, "Get early to bed

Am C G

and always keep your hat screwed on real tight,

n' case you get into a fight."

C D G C

Well, that's one of the tricks that you must employ

D C G

if you wanna be a cowboy,

[Verse 4]

F C G F C G

I was a cow-boy out on the prairie.

F C G Am D G

Life is much easier now back home in the alley.

[Chorus]

And the sheriff said, "Get early to bed

Am C G

and always keep your hat screwed on real tight,

n' case you get into a fight."

C D G C

Well, that's one of the tricks that you must employ

D G

if you wanna be a cowboy,

About When I Was A Cowboy Chords by Ralph McTell

Learn how to play When I Was A Cowboy by Ralph McTell with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “When I Was A Cowboy chords”, “When I Was A Cowboy guitar chords”, or “Ralph McTell When I Was A Cowboy 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 When I Was A Cowboy chords and for experienced players who want accurate When I Was A Cowboy lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, F, C, Am, D, Em.

FAQ — When I Was A Cowboy by Ralph McTell

How do I play "When I Was A Cowboy" by Ralph McTell on guitar?

Open the free chords for "When I Was A Cowboy" by Ralph McTell 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 "When I Was A Cowboy" by Ralph McTell free?

Yes. The chords for "When I Was A Cowboy" by Ralph McTell are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "When I Was A Cowboy" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "When I Was A Cowboy" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "When I Was A Cowboy"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "When I Was A Cowboy" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "When I Was A Cowboy" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "When I Was A Cowboy" by Ralph McTell with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Ralph McTell below.

What key is "When I Was A Cowboy" in?

The chords for "When I Was A Cowboy" show the original chord names (including G, F, C, Am, D, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.