Virginia Can I Stay Awhile
View chords used in this chart
[Intro ]
Em C G
Em C G
Em C G
Am C
[Verso 1]
Em C G
Daddy was a drummer
Em C G
In a small-time band
Em C G
Just a small-town picker
Am7 Am C
But he made out better than a coal-digging man
Em C G
Said, "Son, now listen up
Em C G
Can you hear what I say?
Em C G
Like a barge in the Muskingum
Am C
There's a better life waiting down the river someday"
[Pré-Refrão]
Am C
But Im bittersweet about the leaving
G
But you better go follow
D
When the Old Dominion's calling
Am7 Am C
Now I'm waist-deep and barely breathing
G
And theres smoke upon the water
D
So I'm calling on you, Father
[Refrão]
G D
How many miles to go to Richmond?
Am7
How many coins must I toss?
C G
How many rivers must I cross? I wonder
D
Will she be waiting ther in Richmond?
Am7
With her arms open wide
C
Virginia, can I stay a whil?
[Pós-Refrão]
Em C G
Da-da-da-da-da-da
Em C G
Da-da-da-da-da
Em C G
Da-da-da-da-da
Am C
Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da
[Verso 2]
Em C G
Well, it's hard to make a living
Em C G
At twenty bucks a man
Em C G
Playing in the diner
Am7 Am C
For drinks and tips and supper with a buckeye band
Em C G
Oh, but you keep it rolling on
Em C G
Virginia, understand
Em C G
I been down harder, but
Am C Am
It'd be a lot better if I could be your man and now
[Pré-Refrão]
Am C
Im bittersweet about the leaving
G
But you better go follow
D
When the Old Dominion's calling
Am7 Am C
Now I'm waist-deep and barely breathing
G
And theres smoke upon the water
D
So I'm calling on you, Father
[Refrão]
G D
How many miles to go to Richmond?
Am7
How many coins must I toss?
C G
How many rivers must I cross? I wonder
D
Will she be waiting ther in Richmond?
Am7
With her arms open wide
C Am7
Virginia, can I stay a whil?
[Ponte]
C
Maybe longer and I feel your warm embrace
G D
I been down this road and I got miles to go before day breaks
Am7 Am C
Ohio River Valley, up to Harpers Ferry Way
G D
But I know I'm bound to see you on some sweet and sunny day-ay-ay
{Instrumental}
Am7 Am C C
G G D D
Am7 Am C C
G G D D D D
[Refrão]
G D
How many miles to go to Richmond?
Am7
How many coins must I toss?
C G
How many rivers must I cross? I wonder
D
Will she be waiting ther in Richmond?
Am7
With her arms open wide
C
Virginia, can I stay a whil?
G D
How many miles to go to Richmond?
Am7
How many coins must I toss?
C G
Heads or tails, Im bound to cross these waters
D
Will she be waiting ther in Richmond?
Am7
With her arms open wide
C
Virginia, can I stay a whil?
Outro
Em C G
Da-da-da-da-da-da
Em C G
Da-da-da-da-da
Em C G
Da-da-da-da-da
Am C
Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da
Em C G
Da-da-da-da-da-da
Em C G
Da-da-da-da-da
Em C G
Da-da-da-da-da
Am C
Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da
How to play Virginia Can I Stay Awhile
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 Em. 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.