I tabbed this song basing it off the earlier James River Blues chords listed
here. I personally like this version better, and think it sounds more melancholy
when performed solo, and is easier as it uses all open chords. I put the Capo on
the first fret, but feel free to experiment and play around with it. I strum it
with a Johnny Cash-esque one-two pattern, but feel free to try different things. Enjoy!
Capo Fret 1
G EM
James River blues
G EM
I just heard the awful news
G EM
I could steer around the rocks
G EM
But they're bustin' down the docks
G EM G EM
G EM
James River blues
G EM
That train came on through
G EM
And the works gotten slow
G EM
Now where's a boatman to go?
C D
I think I'll float on down
C D
To Richmond town
C D
They don't need us anymore
C
Haulin' freight from shore to shore
D
That big iron hauls much more
G
Than we ever could before
G Em G Em
G Em
I've seen good men going wrong
G Em
I've seen bad ones get it right
G Em
As that river rolls along
G Em
I'll be stepping out tonight
C D
On the cool flow
C D
Floatin' down down below
C D
The bridge till the waters edge
C D
From the ridge to the ledge
C D
From the hills to the sea
C D
I'll become a memory
G EM
James River blues
G EM
James River blues
G EM
James River blues
End with a flourish