Billy Jack Washburn
View chords used in this chart
verse 1:
E A E
From Maine to San Francisco, for years, I rode the rails
E A E
Coast to coast, and border to border, I've been in about every jail
C G
One night around the Golden Gate, I caught a freight, and layin' in the bottom of the boxcar was a man
E
Named Billy Jack Washburn
Through the rain and the wind the train was flyin', I knew the man was layin' there dyin'
C G D
I had to try and save a man, with nothin' but my two bare hands and I did
He was just a kid
verse 2:
E A E
Now me and Billy Jack, we laid around a few hobo camps for awhile
E A E
'Til Billy Jack got his strength back, and the sunshine gave him back his smile
C G D
We decided we would leave, and head on down to New Orleans, and we did
Me and the kid
But things weren't like they were before, I never had a friend jumpin' from the door
G D
I treated him like I was his dad, and gave him everything I had, which was nothin'
C D
Just the love for a friend, and a friend he was, 'til I lost him
Bridge:
Bm A
Billy Jack Washburn was his name
G D
I lost him down around Jacksonville, when he fell from the train
Bm A
I rolled off, and I hit the ground
G D
I picked his body up and carried him all the way back to town
C D
He was a friend of mine
verse 3:
E A E
Now here I am, in Macon, Georgia, to help lay Billy Jack in the ground
E A E
And by the way, Macon, Georgia, is my hometown
C G D
When I picked his billfold up, I saw a picture of his mama and her name
And I cried like a baby
C D
'Cuz his mama, and my mama were the same
G C D
Well I haven't been home in twenty-six years, and when I do come home, it has to be like this
G C D
Sometimes old lady fate, she deals a terrible kiss
Bridge 2:
Bm A
Billy Jack Washburn was his so-called name
G D
I lost him down around Jacksonville, when he fell from the train
C G
But I lost more than a friend
C D
I'll never see my brother again
How to play Billy Jack Washburn
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is E. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.