Old Time River Man chords by John Hartford

Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E)

Intro:
E  B      E      B      E


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

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


Instrumental:
E    B      E      B      E    A    B      E      B      E


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