I Was Young When I Left Home
View chords used in this chart
[Intro]
Bb Eb F Gm Bb
[Verse]
Bb
Eb
An' I been out ramblin' 'round
F7 F
An' I never wrote a letter to my home
Bb Eb
To my home, Lord, to my home
Bb
An' I never wrote a letter to my home
Bb
It was just the other day
Eb
I was bringin' home my pay
F
When I met an' old friend I used to know
Bb
Said, your mother is dead an' gone
Eb
Every sisters all gone wrong
Bb
An' your daddy needs you home right away
Bb
I have a shirt on my back
Eb
Not a penny on my name
F7 F
But I can't go home this way
Bb Eb
This way, Lord, Lord, Lord
Bb
An' I can't go home this way
Bb Eb F Bb F F7
Bb
If you miss train, I'm on
Eb
Count the days, I'm gone
F7 F
You'll hear that whistle blow hundred miles
Bb Eb
Hundred miles, honey baby, Lord, Lord, Lord
Bb
An' you'll hear that whistle blow hundred mile
Bb Eb F Bb F F7 Bb
Bb Eb
I've playin' on a track, ma would come an' woop me back
F
On 'em trusses down by Ol' Jim McKay's
Bb Eb
When I pay the debt I owe to the commissary store
Bb
I will pawn my watch an' chain an' go home
Go home, Lord, Lord, Lord
I will pawn my watch an' chain an' go home
Bb
Used to tell my ma sometimes
Eb
When I see them ridin' blind
F
Gonna make me home out in the wind
Bb Eb
In the wind, Lord, in the wind
Bb
Make me home out in the wind
Bb
I don't like it in the wind
Eb
I wanna back home again
F
But I can't go home this way
Bb Eb
This way, Lord, Lord, Lord
Bb
An' I can't go home this way
Bb
I was young when I left home
Eb
An' I been out ramblin' 'round
Bb
An' I never wrote a letter to my home
To my home, Lord, Lord, Lord
An' I never wrote a letter to my home
How to play I Was Young When I Left Home
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 Bb. 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.