On The Banks Of The Old Pontchartrain
View chords used in this chart
C C7 F C
I traveled from Texas to low Louisian',
G7
Through valleys, o'er mountains and plain.
C C7 F C
Both footsore and weary, I rested a while
G7 C
On the banks of the Old Pontchar-train.
C7 F C
The fairest young maiden that I ever saw
G7
Passed by as it started to rain.
C C7 F C
We both found a shelter beneath the same tree
G7 C
On the banks of the Old Pontchar-train.
C7 F C
I ventured a smile, but she thought I was bold.
G7
I hastened to try and explain,
C C7 F C
But somehow I knew I would linger a while
G7 C
On the banks of the Old Pontchar-train.
C7 F C
We hid from the shower an hour or so.
G7
She asked me how long I'd remain.
C C7 F C
I told her I'd spend the rest of my life
G7 C
On the banks of the Old Pontchar-train.
C7 F C
As time drifted by, we fell deeper in love,
G7
A love that could just bring her pain.
C C7 F C
I knew that one day I would leave her alone
G7 C
On the banks of the Old Pontchar-train.
C7 F C
I just couldn't tell her that I ran away
G7
From jail on an old Texas plain.
C C7 F C
I prayed in my heart I would never be found
G7 C
On the banks of the Old Pontchar-train.
Then one day a man put his hand on my arm
And said I must go west again.
I left her alone without saying goodbye,
On the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.
Tonight as I sit here alone in my cell,
I know that she's waiting in vain.
I'm hoping and praying someday to return
To the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.
How to play On The Banks Of The Old Pontchartrain
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 C. 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.