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Folsom Prison Blues

Johnny Cash

You can find audio files explaining each part of this song here: Jam Tracks (near bottom of page)

Capo 2

Intro:  / B7 - - - / - - - - / E - - - / - - - - / - - - - / - - - - /

    E (8)

I hear the train a comin'
It's rollin' 'round the bend,
And I ain't seen the sunshine,
Since, I don't know when,

        A (4)
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison,

                                     E (4)
And time keeps draggin' on,

              B7 (4)
But that train keeps a-rollin',

                            E (2)
On down to San Antone.

         E (8)
When I was just a baby,
My Mama told me, "Son,
Always be a good boy,
Don't ever play with guns,"

           A (4)
But I shot a man in Reno,

                            E (4)
Just to watch him die,

             B7 (4)
When I hear that whistle blowin',

                                E (2)
I hang my head and cry.

Solo (instrumental verse)

   E (8)
I bet there's rich folks eatin',
In a fancy dining car,
They're probably drinkin' coffee,
And smokin' big cigars,

           A (4)
But I know I had it comin',

                            E (4)
I know I can't be free,

                 B7 (4)
But those people keep a-movin',

                                      E (2)
And that's what tortures me.

Solo (instrumental verse)

                    E (8)
Well, if they freed me from this prison,
If that railroad train was mine,
I bet I'd move out over a little,
Farther down the line,

  A (4)
Far from Folsom Prison,

                                    E (4)
That's where I want to stay,

           B7 (4)
And I'd let that lonesome whistle,

                           E (2)
Blow my blues away.

/ B7 - - - / - - - - / E - - - / E (hold) /

Intro: