Is Free Chord Book really free?

Yes. Free Chord Book is 100% free with no sign-up required. Access 670,000+ guitar chords, tabs, and lyrics for every song you want to learn.

How do I transpose chords to a different key?

Open any song and use the transpose buttons to move every chord up or down by half-steps. Perfect for singers who need a different key or capo players.

Can I see chord diagrams while I play?

Yes. Tap any chord in a song to instantly see its interactive guitar chord diagram, including alternate fingerings and variations.

What's the difference between guitar chords and guitar tabs?

Chords show you which strings to strum together (great for rhythm playing and singing). Tabs (tablature) show you exact note-by-note fingerings, which is great for solos, riffs, and fingerpicking.

Does Free Chord Book work on mobile?

Yes. Free Chord Book is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Is there a built-in guitar tuner?

Yes. Free Chord Book includes a free online guitar tuner that uses your microphone and YIN pitch detection for accurate tuning in standard and alternate tunings.

How many songs are available?

Over 670,000 songs with chords, tabs, and lyrics — covering every genre, from rock and pop to country, indie, folk, and Hebrew songs.

Is Free Chord Book a good alternative to Ultimate Guitar?

Yes. Free Chord Book is a fast, ad-free, 100% free alternative to Ultimate Guitar with interactive chord diagrams, instant transpose, auto-scroll, and a built-in tuner — no account required.

Cottonwood Tree

Chords4.827 votes

Listen on

YouTube Spotify Apple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Verse 1]
C                        G7
I rode into Tucson three hours ago
                                  C
For supplies and a short friendly game
                      G7
Of poker while Smitty put some new shoes
                          C
On old Dan before he goes lame
[Verse 2]
                     G7
I sat in a game at the Miner's Saloon
                      C
Soon I had doubled my stake
                                     G7
The cards run like they'd been dealt by Lady Luck
                          C
They were just sealing my fate
[Verse 3]
  F                           C
A young cowboy lost more than he could afford
      F                       C
And accused me of dealing too smart
    F                        C
His draw was too slow and he fell to the floor
     G7                         C
With three bullets close to the heart
[Chorus]
   F                   Em
Oh cottonwood tree are you waiting for me
Dm                 C
Waiting to take me away
F                          C
I've done no wrong but the town cannot see
    G7                     C
And so with my life I must pay
[Verse 4]
                              G7
A crowd started gathering the sheriff came in
                     C
I handed him over my gun
                              G7
Was then when I found out the boy I had killed
                                  C
Was the town's biggest man's only son
[Verse 5]
                     G7
I tried to explain I had shot in defense
                           C
It was the young cowboy or me
                             G7
The crowd wouldn't listen so they drug me out
                               C
To the limb of this cottonwood tree
[Verse 6]
                          G7
Majestically standing out here all alone
                              C
It's spring and the valley is green
                           G7
But I can't admire a place I don't belong
                          C
To me it's all like a bad dream
[Verse 7]
    F                         C
But old Dan's beneath me with new shoes and all
   F                             C
As they place the noose round my neck
F                       C
Cowboys I've never laid eyes on before
    G7                   C
Are tying my hands to my back
[Chorus]
   F                   Em
Oh cottonwood tree are you waiting for me
Dm                 C
Waiting to take me away
F                          C
I've done no wrong but the town cannot see
    G7                     C
And so with my life I must pay
[Verse 8]
                              G7
I see hate in the eyes of the town's biggest man
                              C
As he pulls a branch from the tree
                           G7
To whip the backside of my old pony Dan
                            C
So he'll run out from under me
[Verse 9]
                          G7
Insane he won't listen to my last appeal
                            C
A wild grin has covered his face
                          G7
As I tried to reason just how he would feel
                         C
If he were up here in my place
[Verse 10]
                              G7
There's many a mountain trail I'll never ride
                         C
Green valleys I'll never see
                          G7
A young cowboy died and a man's foolish pride
                              C
Brought me to this cottonwood tree
[Verse 11]
   F                         C
My face is turned upward and I cannot breathe
    F                      C
The sky's growing dark overhead
    F                          C
The knot's pulling tight as my body sweeps free
  G7                       C
A few moments more I'll be dead
[Chorus]
  F                         Em
Oh cottonwood tree were you put here for me
Dm                 C
Put here to take me away
F                          C
I've done no wrong but the town cannot see
    G7                     C
And so with my life I must pay

Cottonwood Tree chords and lyrics

Free chords for Cottonwood Tree by Marty Robbins. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

[Verse 1]
[Verse 2]
[Verse 3]
[Chorus]
[Verse 4]
[Verse 5]
[Verse 6]
[Verse 7]
[Chorus]
[Verse 8]
[Verse 9]
[Verse 10]
[Verse 11]
[Chorus]

Cottonwood Tree Chords by Marty Robbins

Learn how to play Cottonwood Tree by Marty Robbins with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Cottonwood Tree chords”, “Cottonwood Tree guitar chords”, or “Marty Robbins Cottonwood Tree 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 Cottonwood Tree chords and for experienced players who want accurate Cottonwood Tree lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G7, F, A, Em, Dm.

Frequently asked questions about Cottonwood Tree

How do I play "Cottonwood Tree" by Marty Robbins on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Cottonwood Tree" by Marty Robbins 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 "Cottonwood Tree" by Marty Robbins free?

Yes. The chords for "Cottonwood Tree" by Marty Robbins are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Cottonwood Tree" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Cottonwood Tree"?

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

Is "Cottonwood Tree" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Cottonwood Tree" by Marty Robbins with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Marty Robbins below.

What key is "Cottonwood Tree" in?

The chords for "Cottonwood Tree" show the original chord names (including C, G7, F, A, Em, Dm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.