I tabbed this song basing it off the earlier James River Blues chords listed
here. I personally like this version better, and think it sounds more melancholy
when performed solo, and is easier as it uses all open chords. I put the Capo on
the first fret, but feel free to experiment and play around with it. I strum it
with a Johnny Cash-esque one-two pattern, but feel free to try different things. Enjoy!
Capo Fret 1
[G]James River blue[EM]s
[G]I just heard the awful ne[EM]ws
[G]I could steer around the ro[EM]cks
[G]But they're bustin' down the do[EM]cks
[G] [EM] [G] [EM]
[G]James River blu[EM]es
[G]That train came on thr[EM]ough
[G]And the works gotten slo[EM]w
[G]Now where's a boatman to[EM] go?
[C]I think I'll float on [D]down
[C]To Richmond t[D]own
[C]They don't need us any[D]more
Haulin' freight from shore to s[C]hore
That big iron hauls much mo[D]re
Than we ever cou[G]ld before
[G] [EM] [G] [EM]
[G]I've seen good men going w[EM]rong
[G]I've seen bad ones get it r[EM]ight
[G]As that river rolls alo[EM]ng
[G]I'll be stepping out ton[EM]ight
[C]On the cool fl[D]ow
[C]Floatin' down down bel[D]ow
[C]The bridge till the waters e[D]dge
[C]From the ridge to the le[D]dge
[C]From the hills to the s[D]ea
[C]I'll become a memo[D]ry
[G]James River blu[EM]es
[G]James River blu[EM]es
[G]James River blu[EM]es
End with a flourish
here. I personally like this version better, and think it sounds more melancholy
when performed solo, and is easier as it uses all open chords. I put the Capo on
the first fret, but feel free to experiment and play around with it. I strum it
with a Johnny Cash-esque one-two pattern, but feel free to try different things. Enjoy!
Capo Fret 1
[G]James River blue[EM]s
[G]I just heard the awful ne[EM]ws
[G]I could steer around the ro[EM]cks
[G]But they're bustin' down the do[EM]cks
[G] [EM] [G] [EM]
[G]James River blu[EM]es
[G]That train came on thr[EM]ough
[G]And the works gotten slo[EM]w
[G]Now where's a boatman to[EM] go?
[C]I think I'll float on [D]down
[C]To Richmond t[D]own
[C]They don't need us any[D]more
Haulin' freight from shore to s[C]hore
That big iron hauls much mo[D]re
Than we ever cou[G]ld before
[G] [EM] [G] [EM]
[G]I've seen good men going w[EM]rong
[G]I've seen bad ones get it r[EM]ight
[G]As that river rolls alo[EM]ng
[G]I'll be stepping out ton[EM]ight
[C]On the cool fl[D]ow
[C]Floatin' down down bel[D]ow
[C]The bridge till the waters e[D]dge
[C]From the ridge to the le[D]dge
[C]From the hills to the s[D]ea
[C]I'll become a memo[D]ry
[G]James River blu[EM]es
[G]James River blu[EM]es
[G]James River blu[EM]es
End with a flourish
