Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Dmtap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
Am · C · G · Dm
Big Iron Chords – Guitar
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Dmtap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
Am · C · G · Dm
Big Iron Chords – Ukulele
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Dmtap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
Am · C · G · Dm
Big Iron Chords – Piano
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Dmtap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
Am · C · G · Dm
Big Iron Chords – Banjo
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Dmtap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
Am · C · G · Dm
Big Iron Chords – Mandolin
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Dmtap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
Am · C · G · Dm
Big Iron Chords – Harmonica
Marty Robbins’ classic cowboy ballad about a legendary gunfight. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.
Western Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
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Tip: Play with a steady, marching rhythm. This is a narrative ballad — the strum should be consistent and support the storytelling.
Chords & Structure
Full Song
Verse 1
Am – Dm
Am – E
Am – Dm
Am – E – Am
E – Am
Verse 2
Am – Dm
Am – E
Am – Dm
Am – E – Am
E – Am
Verse 3
Am – Dm
Am – E
Am – Dm
Am – E – Am
E – Am
Verse 4
Am – Dm
Am – E
Am – Dm
Am – E – Am
E – Am
Verse 5
Am – Dm
Am – E
Am – Dm
Am – E – Am
E – Am
Verse 6
Am – Dm
Am – E
Am – Dm
Am – E – Am
E – Am
Verse 7
Am – Dm
Am – E
Am – Dm
Am – E – Am
E – Am
Outro
Am – Dm
Am – E – Am
E – Am
Practice tip: Just three chords: Am, Dm, and E. The song has a marching, hypnotic rhythm. Keep it steady and even — the repetitive pattern is what makes it so compelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Big Iron"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, C, G and Dm.
Is "Big Iron" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Big Iron" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "Big Iron"?
It was written by Marty Robbins, and released in 1959.