First Train Heading South Chords

KeyF CapoNone TuningStandard Difficulty Plays484

First Train Heading South by Johnny Horton is a moderately challenging guitar song played in the key of F. It uses the chords F, Bb and C7. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.

Transpose
F
Text
16
Speed
  			

F 
I didn't know my baby loved me so-o-o-o-o  
Bb                               F 
Until that letter come to let me know 
    Bb                           F 
Now I pack my bags and then I'll go  
    C7                                  F 
And catch the first train I see heading south 
  
  
If I'd a got this letter in Idaho  
Bb                                      F 
Where snow's so deep it wouldn't let me go 
      Bb                                F 
I'd a went hog wild and melted all that snow 
    C7                                   F 
And caught the first train I saw heading south 
  
  
If I'd a got this letter in Iowa      (*be sure to sing/pronouce it as Io-Way) 
Bb                                  F 
Nothing in this world could make me stay 
      Bb                                 F 
I'd a grabbed my hat and then been on my way  
    C7                                   F 
And caught the first train I saw heading south 
  
F 
I didn't know my baby loved me so-o-o-o-o  
Bb                               F 
Until that letter come to let me know 
    Bb                           F 
Now I pack my bags and then I'll go  
    C7                                  F 
And catch the first train I see heading south 


Instrumental, basically a whole regular verse with lead guitar in front. 


F 
I didn't know my baby loved me so-o-o-o-o  
Bb                               F 
Until that letter come to let me know 
    Bb                           F 
Now I pack my bags and then I'll go  
    C7                                  F 
And catch the first train I see heading south 

  
If I'd a got this letter in Ohio  
Bb                                       F 
With a busted back two arms and a broken toe 
        Bb                       F 
There'd be no hesitation I would go  
    C7                                  F 
And catch the first train I saw heading south 
  
  
But I got this letter up in Maine  
Bb                                        F 
You can bet your bottom dollar I feel the same 
      Bb                                     F 
Every clickety clack of the drivers call her name 
     C7                                     F 
As I ride this fast train I caught heading south 

  
F 
I didn't know my baby loved me so-o-o-o-o  
Bb                               F 
Until that letter come to let me know 
    Bb                           F 
Now I pack my bags and then I'll go-o-o  
    C7                                  F 
And catch the first train I see heading south  
    	

Chord diagrams

Guitar tuner

--
Start the tuner and play a string

Reference tones

Standard tuning, lowest to highest. Click a string to play it; the string the mic hears is highlighted.

Click Start tuner and allow microphone access. The needle centers and turns green when a string is in tune (within 5 cents).
No microphone? You can still tap any string above to hear its exact reference pitch.

Metronome

100 BPM Andante