Mississippi Steamboat Blues
View chords used in this chart
[Intro]
F G C
[Verse]
C C7
This river’s got a hold on me,
F C
That just won’t let me be
C
Since I was a knee high lad
D7 G
Along the ole Mississippi
C C7
I’d watch the paddles roll their loads on down,
F C
As I was standing there alone
F C A
Just little feller, not a cent to my name,
D G C
Wishing I could come along
[Chorus]
F Fm
If river boats were a nickel to ride,
C C7
I’d shout what a deal what a deal
F Fm
As I ran down the river bank side,
D7 G
Wishing I could get my fill
C C7
They say good things come to those who wait,
F C
But Lordy my soul’s been bore
F C A
Taken down the river on the Natchez eight,
D G C
While I’m on the Mississippi shore
G C
Oh, the Mississippi steamboat blues
[Solo]
C C7 F C
C C D7 G
C C7 F C
F C D G C
[Verse]
C C7
Finally, things was a goin' right,
F C
I had a little cash to spend
C
When a Queen of the Delta was'a swingin’ bank side,
D7 G
As she puffed around the bend
C C7
She flashed them eyes, her smile was rye,
F C
My heart was giving in
F C A
She docked up beside me and then she denied me,
D7 G C
When I was'a broke again
[Chorus]
F Fm
If river boats were a nickel to ride,
C C7
I’d shout what a deal what a deal
F Fm
As I ran down the river bank side,
D7 G
Wishing I could get my fill
C C7
They say good things come to those who wait,
F C
But Lordy my soul’s been bore
F C A
Taken down the river on the Natchez eight,
D G C
While I’m on the Mississippi shore
G C C7
Oh, the Mississippi steamboat blues
[Solo]
C F C C7 C7 G
G7 C C7 F C F
C A F G C
[Verse]
C C7
There just so much that a man can stand,
F C
And buddy I’ll tell ya true
C
Cause women or boats‘ll wreck a man,
D7 G
And send you drowning down a fool
C C7
The rides ain’t cheap and the boat can’t wait,
F C
So, listen to my song
F C A
I’d still trade my pride for a ticket to ride,
D G C
If I could only come along
[Chorus]
F Fm
If river boats were a nickel to ride,
C C7
I’d shout what a deal what a deal
F Fm
As I ran down the river bank side,
D7 G
Wishing I could get my fill
C C7
They say good things come to those who wait,
F C
But Lordy my soul’s been bore
F C A
Taken down the river on the Natchez eight,
D G C C7
While I’m on the Mississippi shore
[Outro]
F C A
Yeah, I’m taken down the river on the Natchez eight,
D G C
While I’m on the Mississippi shore
G C F C
Oh, the Mississippi steamboat blues
How to play Mississippi Steamboat Blues
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 F. 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.