Folsom Prison Blues Guitar Chords

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Key
E Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
E · A · B7

Johnny Cash’s classic outlaw country anthem. Three chords with a boom-chicka-boom train beat.

Train Beat (4/4 Time)
1234

Tip: The signature train beat alternates bass notes. On E, alternate between the low E and B strings on beats 1 and 3.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
I hear the train a-comin’, it’s rollin’ ’round the bend,
E
And I ain’t seen the sunshine since I don’t know when.
A E
I’m stuck in Folsom Prison and time keeps draggin’ on.
B7 E
But that train keeps a-rollin’ on down to San Antone.
 

Verse 2

 
E
When I was just a baby, my mama told me, “Son,
E
Always be a good boy, don’t ever play with guns.”
A E
But I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die.
B7 E
When I hear that whistle blowin’, I hang my head and cry.