Highwayman
View chords used in this chart
Standard tuning
Palm mute = * (you should mute very light)
One strum =
Bm
Bm A
I was a highwayman
G Bm
On the coach roads I did ride
A G D A
With sword and pistol by my side
Em* D* A* G*
Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade
Em* D* A* G*
Many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade
Bm A G A
The bastards hung me in the spring of twenty-five
D A
But I am still alive.
Bm A
I was a sailor
G Bm
And I was born upon the tide
A G D A
And with the sea I did abide.
Em* D* A* G*
I sailed a schooner round the Horn to Mexico
Em* D* A* G*
I went aloft to furled the mainsail in a blow
Bm A G A
And when the yards broke off they said that I got killed
D A
But I'm living still.
Bm A
I was a dam builder
G Bm
Across this river deep and wide
A G D A
Where steel and water did collide
Em* D* A* G*
In a place called Boulder on the wild Colorado
Em* D* A* G*
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below
Bm A G A
Then they buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound
D A
But I am still around
Bm A G A
I'll always be around, and around, and around, and around
Bm A
I flew a starship
G A Bm
Across the universe divide
A G D A
And when I reach the other side
Em* D* A* G*
I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can
Em* D* A* G*
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
Em D A G
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
D A
But I will remain
Bm A G A
And I'll be back again, and again, and again, and again.....
Bm
How to play Highwayman
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 Bm. 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.