The Ballad Of Southern Pacific Roll On
View chords used in this chart
Intro
D A D
[Verso 1]
D G
When they drove that golden spike in 1869,
D A
It opened up the American West to the Southern Pacific Line
D G
A thousand miles of wilderness heard the hammer's ring,
D A D
And the voices of the gandy dancers sing.
[Refrão]
G D
Southern Pacific, roll on, roll on
D A
From Chicago through the Rockies, America's your home
D C G A
Portland to New Orleans, all along the golden crest,
D G A D
Southern Pacific, the spirit that won the West!
[Verso 2]
D G
On spikes and ties laid down in time to some old fiddler's reel
D A
We're forever stitched together with a million miles of steel.
D G
Right on the clock, the rolling stock helps keep this country great.
D A D
As long as there's a USA, SP will haul the freight.
[Refrão]
G D
Southern Pacific, roll on, roll on
D A
From Chicago through the Rockies, America's your home
D C G A
Portland to New Orleans, all along the golden crest,
D G A D
Southern Pacific, the spirit that won the West!
Instrumental Break
D G
D A
D G
D A D
[Verso 3]
D G
The Cotton Belt, the T&L, the Denver Rio Grande,
D A
With all the others proud and strong, coupled hand to hand
D G
Pulling every grade and curve, a single heart and mind,
D A D
Making sure the job gets done out on the SP line.
[Refrão]
G D
Southern Pacific, roll on, roll on
D A
From Chicago through the Rockies, America's your home
D C G A
Portland to New Orleans, all along the golden crest,
D G A D
Southern Pacific, the spirit that won the West!
[Verso 4]
E A
So roll on big iron lady through the mountains and the plains
E B
Roll on men and women with tradition in your veins.
E A
Keep the drive wheels turning all across this great land
E B E
Blow that whistle loud and long, the future's in our hands!
[Refrão]
A E
Southern Pacific, roll on, roll on
E B
From Chicago through the Rockies, America's your home
E D A B
Portland to New Orleans, all along the golden crest,
E A B E
Southern Pacific, the spirit that won the West!
Outro
A E (X6)
A
How to play The Ballad Of Southern Pacific Roll On
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 D. 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.