Old Time River Man chords by John Hartford

Chords with lyrics

Tuning: Standard (E MajorE A augmentedA D MajorD G+G BB E MajorE)

Intro:
E MajorE BB   E MajorE   BB   E MajorE


Verse 1:
            BB
Where does an old time river man go
          E MajorE
After he's passed away
              BB
Does his soul still keep a watch on the deep
             E MajorE
For the rest of his river days
    A augmentedA          BB
Does he then come back as a channel cat
    A augmentedA     BB      E MajorE
Or the wasp that lied on the wheat
               BB
Or the birds that fly through summer sky
                E MajorE
Or the fish swimmin' under the key

Verse 2:
            BB
Where does an old time pilot go
            E MajorE
After he stood his last watch
    A augmentedA           BB
Does he fall by the ear of the man who steers
             E MajorE
Sayin' "Hold her on that notch"
     A augmentedA          BB
There's a gentle sneeze in the river breeze
       G# minorG#m   BB    E MajorE
It's sayin' "Son I'm goin' to bed"
                 BB
And theY light their pipes and go off in the night
           E MajorE
Or was it fireflies instead


Instrumental:
E MajorE  BB   E MajorE   BB   E MajorE  A augmentedA  BB   E MajorE   BB   E MajorE


Verse 3:
            BB
Where does an old time engineer go
           E MajorE
After he's cooled her down
          BB
Gone up the hill to never come back
           E MajorE
On the quiet side of town
     A augmentedA          BB
Does his soul live on in the engine's soul
     A augmentedA    BB     E MajorE
While the striker checks the gears
             BB
Is he still afloat on an old steam boat
           E MajorE   BB   E MajorE BB E MajorE
After he's gone from here