Marty RobbinsBeginnerKey of A4 Chords4 min readUpdated
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
Marty Robbins’ classic cowboy ballad about a legendary gunfight. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.
Western Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Play with a steady, marching rhythm. This is a narrative ballad — the strum should be consistent and support the storytelling.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
AmDm
To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day
AmE
Hardly spoke to folks around him, didn’t have too much to say
AmDm
No one dared to ask his business, no one dared to make a slip
AmEAm
For the stranger there among them had a big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 2
AmDm
It was early in the morning when he rode into the town
AmE
He came riding from the south side slowly lookin’ all around
AmDm
He’s an outlaw loose and running, came the whisper from each lip
AmEAm
And he’s here to do some business with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 3
AmDm
In this town there lived an outlaw by the name of Texas Red
AmE
Many men had tried to take him and that many men were dead
AmDm
He was vicious and a killer, though a youth of twenty-four
AmEAm
And the notches on his pistol numbered one and nineteen more
EAm
One and nineteen more
Verse 4
AmDm
Now the stranger started talking, made it plain to folks around
AmE
Was an Arizona ranger, wouldn’t be too long in town
AmDm
He came here to take an outlaw back alive or maybe dead
AmEAm
And he said it didn’t matter, he was after Texas Red
EAm
After Texas Red
Verse 5
AmDm
Wasn’t long before the story was relayed to Texas Red
AmE
But the outlaw didn’t worry, men that tried before were dead
AmDm
Twenty men had tried to take him, twenty men had made a slip
AmEAm
Twenty-one would be the ranger with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 6
AmDm
The morning passed so quickly, it was time for them to meet
AmE
It was twenty past eleven when they walked out in the street
AmDm
Folks were watching from their windows, everybody held their breath
AmEAm
They knew this handsome ranger was about to meet his death
EAm
About to meet his death
Verse 7
AmDm
There was forty feet between them when they stopped to make their play
AmE
And the swiftness of the ranger is still talked about today
AmDm
Texas Red had not cleared leather ‘fore a bullet fairly ripped
AmEAm
And the ranger’s aim was deadly with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Outro
AmDm
Big iron, big iron
AmEAm
When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
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.
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
Marty Robbins’ classic cowboy ballad about a legendary gunfight. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.
Western Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Play with a steady, marching rhythm. This is a narrative ballad — the strum should be consistent and support the storytelling.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
AmDm
To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day
AmE
Hardly spoke to folks around him, didn’t have too much to say
AmDm
No one dared to ask his business, no one dared to make a slip
AmEAm
For the stranger there among them had a big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 2
AmDm
It was early in the morning when he rode into the town
AmE
He came riding from the south side slowly lookin’ all around
AmDm
He’s an outlaw loose and running, came the whisper from each lip
AmEAm
And he’s here to do some business with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 3
AmDm
In this town there lived an outlaw by the name of Texas Red
AmE
Many men had tried to take him and that many men were dead
AmDm
He was vicious and a killer, though a youth of twenty-four
AmEAm
And the notches on his pistol numbered one and nineteen more
EAm
One and nineteen more
Verse 4
AmDm
Now the stranger started talking, made it plain to folks around
AmE
Was an Arizona ranger, wouldn’t be too long in town
AmDm
He came here to take an outlaw back alive or maybe dead
AmEAm
And he said it didn’t matter, he was after Texas Red
EAm
After Texas Red
Verse 5
AmDm
Wasn’t long before the story was relayed to Texas Red
AmE
But the outlaw didn’t worry, men that tried before were dead
AmDm
Twenty men had tried to take him, twenty men had made a slip
AmEAm
Twenty-one would be the ranger with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 6
AmDm
The morning passed so quickly, it was time for them to meet
AmE
It was twenty past eleven when they walked out in the street
AmDm
Folks were watching from their windows, everybody held their breath
AmEAm
They knew this handsome ranger was about to meet his death
EAm
About to meet his death
Verse 7
AmDm
There was forty feet between them when they stopped to make their play
AmE
And the swiftness of the ranger is still talked about today
AmDm
Texas Red had not cleared leather ‘fore a bullet fairly ripped
AmEAm
And the ranger’s aim was deadly with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Outro
AmDm
Big iron, big iron
AmEAm
When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
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.
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
Marty Robbins’ classic cowboy ballad about a legendary gunfight. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.
Western Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Play with a steady, marching rhythm. This is a narrative ballad — the strum should be consistent and support the storytelling.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
AmDm
To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day
AmE
Hardly spoke to folks around him, didn’t have too much to say
AmDm
No one dared to ask his business, no one dared to make a slip
AmEAm
For the stranger there among them had a big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 2
AmDm
It was early in the morning when he rode into the town
AmE
He came riding from the south side slowly lookin’ all around
AmDm
He’s an outlaw loose and running, came the whisper from each lip
AmEAm
And he’s here to do some business with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 3
AmDm
In this town there lived an outlaw by the name of Texas Red
AmE
Many men had tried to take him and that many men were dead
AmDm
He was vicious and a killer, though a youth of twenty-four
AmEAm
And the notches on his pistol numbered one and nineteen more
EAm
One and nineteen more
Verse 4
AmDm
Now the stranger started talking, made it plain to folks around
AmE
Was an Arizona ranger, wouldn’t be too long in town
AmDm
He came here to take an outlaw back alive or maybe dead
AmEAm
And he said it didn’t matter, he was after Texas Red
EAm
After Texas Red
Verse 5
AmDm
Wasn’t long before the story was relayed to Texas Red
AmE
But the outlaw didn’t worry, men that tried before were dead
AmDm
Twenty men had tried to take him, twenty men had made a slip
AmEAm
Twenty-one would be the ranger with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 6
AmDm
The morning passed so quickly, it was time for them to meet
AmE
It was twenty past eleven when they walked out in the street
AmDm
Folks were watching from their windows, everybody held their breath
AmEAm
They knew this handsome ranger was about to meet his death
EAm
About to meet his death
Verse 7
AmDm
There was forty feet between them when they stopped to make their play
AmE
And the swiftness of the ranger is still talked about today
AmDm
Texas Red had not cleared leather ‘fore a bullet fairly ripped
AmEAm
And the ranger’s aim was deadly with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Outro
AmDm
Big iron, big iron
AmEAm
When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
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.
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
Marty Robbins’ classic cowboy ballad about a legendary gunfight. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.
Western Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Play with a steady, marching rhythm. This is a narrative ballad — the strum should be consistent and support the storytelling.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
AmDm
To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day
AmE
Hardly spoke to folks around him, didn’t have too much to say
AmDm
No one dared to ask his business, no one dared to make a slip
AmEAm
For the stranger there among them had a big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 2
AmDm
It was early in the morning when he rode into the town
AmE
He came riding from the south side slowly lookin’ all around
AmDm
He’s an outlaw loose and running, came the whisper from each lip
AmEAm
And he’s here to do some business with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 3
AmDm
In this town there lived an outlaw by the name of Texas Red
AmE
Many men had tried to take him and that many men were dead
AmDm
He was vicious and a killer, though a youth of twenty-four
AmEAm
And the notches on his pistol numbered one and nineteen more
EAm
One and nineteen more
Verse 4
AmDm
Now the stranger started talking, made it plain to folks around
AmE
Was an Arizona ranger, wouldn’t be too long in town
AmDm
He came here to take an outlaw back alive or maybe dead
AmEAm
And he said it didn’t matter, he was after Texas Red
EAm
After Texas Red
Verse 5
AmDm
Wasn’t long before the story was relayed to Texas Red
AmE
But the outlaw didn’t worry, men that tried before were dead
AmDm
Twenty men had tried to take him, twenty men had made a slip
AmEAm
Twenty-one would be the ranger with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 6
AmDm
The morning passed so quickly, it was time for them to meet
AmE
It was twenty past eleven when they walked out in the street
AmDm
Folks were watching from their windows, everybody held their breath
AmEAm
They knew this handsome ranger was about to meet his death
EAm
About to meet his death
Verse 7
AmDm
There was forty feet between them when they stopped to make their play
AmE
And the swiftness of the ranger is still talked about today
AmDm
Texas Red had not cleared leather ‘fore a bullet fairly ripped
AmEAm
And the ranger’s aim was deadly with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Outro
AmDm
Big iron, big iron
AmEAm
When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
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.
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
Marty Robbins’ classic cowboy ballad about a legendary gunfight. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.
Western Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Play with a steady, marching rhythm. This is a narrative ballad — the strum should be consistent and support the storytelling.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
AmDm
To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day
AmE
Hardly spoke to folks around him, didn’t have too much to say
AmDm
No one dared to ask his business, no one dared to make a slip
AmEAm
For the stranger there among them had a big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 2
AmDm
It was early in the morning when he rode into the town
AmE
He came riding from the south side slowly lookin’ all around
AmDm
He’s an outlaw loose and running, came the whisper from each lip
AmEAm
And he’s here to do some business with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 3
AmDm
In this town there lived an outlaw by the name of Texas Red
AmE
Many men had tried to take him and that many men were dead
AmDm
He was vicious and a killer, though a youth of twenty-four
AmEAm
And the notches on his pistol numbered one and nineteen more
EAm
One and nineteen more
Verse 4
AmDm
Now the stranger started talking, made it plain to folks around
AmE
Was an Arizona ranger, wouldn’t be too long in town
AmDm
He came here to take an outlaw back alive or maybe dead
AmEAm
And he said it didn’t matter, he was after Texas Red
EAm
After Texas Red
Verse 5
AmDm
Wasn’t long before the story was relayed to Texas Red
AmE
But the outlaw didn’t worry, men that tried before were dead
AmDm
Twenty men had tried to take him, twenty men had made a slip
AmEAm
Twenty-one would be the ranger with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 6
AmDm
The morning passed so quickly, it was time for them to meet
AmE
It was twenty past eleven when they walked out in the street
AmDm
Folks were watching from their windows, everybody held their breath
AmEAm
They knew this handsome ranger was about to meet his death
EAm
About to meet his death
Verse 7
AmDm
There was forty feet between them when they stopped to make their play
AmE
And the swiftness of the ranger is still talked about today
AmDm
Texas Red had not cleared leather ‘fore a bullet fairly ripped
AmEAm
And the ranger’s aim was deadly with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Outro
AmDm
Big iron, big iron
AmEAm
When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
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.
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)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Play with a steady, marching rhythm. This is a narrative ballad — the strum should be consistent and support the storytelling.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
AmDm
To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day
AmE
Hardly spoke to folks around him, didn’t have too much to say
AmDm
No one dared to ask his business, no one dared to make a slip
AmEAm
For the stranger there among them had a big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 2
AmDm
It was early in the morning when he rode into the town
AmE
He came riding from the south side slowly lookin’ all around
AmDm
He’s an outlaw loose and running, came the whisper from each lip
AmEAm
And he’s here to do some business with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 3
AmDm
In this town there lived an outlaw by the name of Texas Red
AmE
Many men had tried to take him and that many men were dead
AmDm
He was vicious and a killer, though a youth of twenty-four
AmEAm
And the notches on his pistol numbered one and nineteen more
EAm
One and nineteen more
Verse 4
AmDm
Now the stranger started talking, made it plain to folks around
AmE
Was an Arizona ranger, wouldn’t be too long in town
AmDm
He came here to take an outlaw back alive or maybe dead
AmEAm
And he said it didn’t matter, he was after Texas Red
EAm
After Texas Red
Verse 5
AmDm
Wasn’t long before the story was relayed to Texas Red
AmE
But the outlaw didn’t worry, men that tried before were dead
AmDm
Twenty men had tried to take him, twenty men had made a slip
AmEAm
Twenty-one would be the ranger with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Verse 6
AmDm
The morning passed so quickly, it was time for them to meet
AmE
It was twenty past eleven when they walked out in the street
AmDm
Folks were watching from their windows, everybody held their breath
AmEAm
They knew this handsome ranger was about to meet his death
EAm
About to meet his death
Verse 7
AmDm
There was forty feet between them when they stopped to make their play
AmE
And the swiftness of the ranger is still talked about today
AmDm
Texas Red had not cleared leather ‘fore a bullet fairly ripped
AmEAm
And the ranger’s aim was deadly with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
Outro
AmDm
Big iron, big iron
AmEAm
When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip
EAm
Big iron on his hip
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.