Orphan Of The Road

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[Verse]
C G F D G
From a carny show and a rodeo that shared a three-day stand
F G C
A cowboy met a fiery carny queen
C G F D G
In new spring nights amid the lights of the painted carny van
F G C
They laughed and loved and shared short-lived dreams
C G F D G
But the carny show and the rodeo went their separate ways
F G C
And the carny season bloomed and soon moved on
C G F D G
And I was born on a winter morn to the dark-eyed carny queen
F G C
The too-late son of something that was gone
F G C F
The black-sheep child that grew up wild from the seed the four winds sowed
G C F G C
Unwanted son of ice and fire, an orphan of the road
[Verse]
C G F D G
I was still a child when my mama died of a chill that closed her eyes
F G C
So I was left to grow up on my own
C G F G C
Without a name, too wild to tame. No one cared to try
F G C
So mostly I was mostly left alone
C G F D G
In dingy bars and cold boxcars, hobo jungle camps
F G C
I joined the men who drift from town to town
C G F G C
The surging flood of restless blood flowed inside my veins
F G C
I'd never find the time to settle down
[Refrain]
F G C F
The black sheep child that grew up wild From the seed the four winds sowed
G C F G C
Unwanted son of ice and fire An orphan of the road
[Verse]
C G F G C
In the misty rain, I caught the train that slowed down through the town
F G C
And I pulled myself into the boxcar door
C G F G C
In a passing light in the deep gray night, I saw the still dark form
F G C
Of an old man lying sick upon the floor
C G F G C
And he said "I tried to find her, but they told me that she'd died
F G C
And that she'd left an only son behind
C G F G C
And I tried to find him, but I never did, but I know I could rest in peace
F G C
If I could just see him once before I die
C G F G C
I found a match and I quickly scratched it into a flicker and flame
F G C
Then I held it close and I gently raised his head
C G F G C
My mother, sir," I said of her, "I have her same dark eyes
F G C
He smiled a cowboy smile and then was dead
[Refrain]
F G C F
The black sheep child that grew up wild From the seed the four winds sowed
G C F G C
Unwanted son of ice and fire An orphan of the road

Orphan Of The Road chords and lyrics

Free chords for Orphan Of The Road by Johnny Cash. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

[Verse]
[Verse]
[Refrain]
[Verse]
[Refrain]

Orphan Of The Road Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play Orphan Of The Road by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Orphan Of The Road chords”, “Orphan Of The Road guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash Orphan Of The Road 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 Orphan Of The Road chords and for experienced players who want accurate Orphan Of The Road lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, F, D, A.

Frequently asked questions about Orphan Of The Road

How do I play "Orphan Of The Road" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Orphan Of The Road" by Johnny Cash free?

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Can I transpose "Orphan Of The Road" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Orphan Of The Road"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Orphan Of The Road" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Orphan Of The Road" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Orphan Of The Road" by Johnny Cash with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Cash below.

What key is "Orphan Of The Road" in?

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