Railroad Worksong
View chords used in this chart
Intro
E | B E
B | E
C#m | B E
C#m | B E
verse 1
E B E
Working on a railroad for a dollar a day
B E
Working on a railroad for a dollar a day
C#m B E
Working on a railroad good buddy for a dollar a day
C#m B E
Got to get my money gotta get my pay
verse 2
E B E
Take this hammer take it to the captain
B E
Take this hammer take it to the captain
C#m B E
Take this hammer good buddy take it to the captain
C#m B E
Tell him I'm gone tell him I'm gone
verse 3
E B E
If he asks you was I running
B E
If he asks you was I running
C#m B E
If he asks you good buddy was I running
C#m B E
Tell him I was flying tell him I was flying
Interlude
E | B E
B | E
C#m | B E
C#m | B E
verse 4
E B E
If he asks you was I laughing
B E
If he asks you was I laughing
C#m B E
If he asks you good buddy was I laughing
C#m B E
Tell him I was crying tell him I was crying
Verse 5
E B E
This old hammer rings like silver
B E
This old hammer rings like silver
C#m B E
This old hammer good buddy rings like silver
C#m B E
Shine like gold buddy and it shine like gold
Verse 6
E B E
Working on a railroad for a dollar a day
B E
Working on a railroad for a dollar a day
C#m B E
Working on a railroad good buddy for a dollar a day
C#m B E
Got to get my money gotta get my pay
C#m B E
Got to get my money gotta get my pay
C#m B E
Got to get my money gotta get my pay
C#m B E
Got to get my money gotta get my pay
Outro
C#m B E |repeat till end
How to play Railroad Worksong
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.