Highwayman Chords

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Key
B Major
Difficulty
Intermediate
Capo
None
Chords
Bm · A · G · D · Em

A classic narrative folk song performed by the supergroup The Highwaymen. Intermediate difficulty in the key of B.

Folk Ballad (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play with G shapes for easier chords, or play the B chords as written for a fuller sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
F# B E F#
I was a highwayman, along the coach roads I did ride
B E
With sword and pistol by my side
F# B E
Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade
F# B E F#
Many a soldier slept in shallow graves
B E F# B
I damned the lot, I was a highwayman, a highwayman
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 2

 
F# B E F#
I was a sailor, I was born upon the tide
B E
And with the sea I did beride
F# B E
All the ships I sailed, the winds were on my side
F# B E
And with the sea I did abide, I was a sailor
B E F# B
I sailed a schooner ’round the Horn to Mexico
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 3

 
F# B E F#
I was a dam builder, across the river deep and wide
B E
Where steel and water did collide
F# B E
A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado
F# B E F#
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below
B E F# B
They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 4

 
F# B E
I was a starship rider, a distant pioneer
B E F# B
I sailed a freighter ‘cross the sea of stars and year
F# B E F#
I built a legacy on hope and toil
B E F#
I reached the promise of the promised soil
B E F# B
And when the stars are shining on the prairies up above
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Bridge

 
F# B E F# B
I’ll find a place to rest my spirit, if I can
E F# B
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
E F# B
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
E
But I will remain
F# B E F# B E
And I’ll be back again, and again and again and again and again
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Practice tip: The chord progression F# – B – E – F# is the core of the song. Practice transitioning smoothly between these barre chords, and focus on the descending bass line in the bridge for added expression.

Bmtap to play
Atap to play
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
B Major
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
Bm · A · G · D · Em

A classic narrative folk song performed by the supergroup The Highwaymen. Intermediate difficulty in the key of B.

Folk Ballad (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play with G shapes for easier chords, or play the B chords as written for a fuller sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
F# B E F#
I was a highwayman, along the coach roads I did ride
B E
With sword and pistol by my side
F# B E
Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade
F# B E F#
Many a soldier slept in shallow graves
B E F# B
I damned the lot, I was a highwayman, a highwayman
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 2

 
F# B E F#
I was a sailor, I was born upon the tide
B E
And with the sea I did beride
F# B E
All the ships I sailed, the winds were on my side
F# B E
And with the sea I did abide, I was a sailor
B E F# B
I sailed a schooner ’round the Horn to Mexico
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 3

 
F# B E F#
I was a dam builder, across the river deep and wide
B E
Where steel and water did collide
F# B E
A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado
F# B E F#
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below
B E F# B
They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 4

 
F# B E
I was a starship rider, a distant pioneer
B E F# B
I sailed a freighter ‘cross the sea of stars and year
F# B E F#
I built a legacy on hope and toil
B E F#
I reached the promise of the promised soil
B E F# B
And when the stars are shining on the prairies up above
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Bridge

 
F# B E F# B
I’ll find a place to rest my spirit, if I can
E F# B
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
E F# B
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
E
But I will remain
F# B E F# B E
And I’ll be back again, and again and again and again and again
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Practice tip: The chord progression F# – B – E – F# is the core of the song. Practice transitioning smoothly between these barre chords, and focus on the descending bass line in the bridge for added expression.

Bmtap to play
Atap to play
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
B Major
Difficulty
Intermediate
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
Bm · A · G · D · Em

A classic narrative folk song performed by the supergroup The Highwaymen. Intermediate difficulty in the key of B.

Folk Ballad (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play with G shapes for easier chords, or play the B chords as written for a fuller sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
F# B E F#
I was a highwayman, along the coach roads I did ride
B E
With sword and pistol by my side
F# B E
Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade
F# B E F#
Many a soldier slept in shallow graves
B E F# B
I damned the lot, I was a highwayman, a highwayman
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 2

 
F# B E F#
I was a sailor, I was born upon the tide
B E
And with the sea I did beride
F# B E
All the ships I sailed, the winds were on my side
F# B E
And with the sea I did abide, I was a sailor
B E F# B
I sailed a schooner ’round the Horn to Mexico
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 3

 
F# B E F#
I was a dam builder, across the river deep and wide
B E
Where steel and water did collide
F# B E
A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado
F# B E F#
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below
B E F# B
They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 4

 
F# B E
I was a starship rider, a distant pioneer
B E F# B
I sailed a freighter ‘cross the sea of stars and year
F# B E F#
I built a legacy on hope and toil
B E F#
I reached the promise of the promised soil
B E F# B
And when the stars are shining on the prairies up above
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Bridge

 
F# B E F# B
I’ll find a place to rest my spirit, if I can
E F# B
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
E F# B
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
E
But I will remain
F# B E F# B E
And I’ll be back again, and again and again and again and again
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Practice tip: The chord progression F# – B – E – F# is the core of the song. Practice transitioning smoothly between these barre chords, and focus on the descending bass line in the bridge for added expression.

Bmtap to play
Atap to play
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
B Major
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
Bm · A · G · D · Em

A classic narrative folk song performed by the supergroup The Highwaymen. Intermediate difficulty in the key of B.

Folk Ballad (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play with G shapes for easier chords, or play the B chords as written for a fuller sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
F# B E F#
I was a highwayman, along the coach roads I did ride
B E
With sword and pistol by my side
F# B E
Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade
F# B E F#
Many a soldier slept in shallow graves
B E F# B
I damned the lot, I was a highwayman, a highwayman
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 2

 
F# B E F#
I was a sailor, I was born upon the tide
B E
And with the sea I did beride
F# B E
All the ships I sailed, the winds were on my side
F# B E
And with the sea I did abide, I was a sailor
B E F# B
I sailed a schooner ’round the Horn to Mexico
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 3

 
F# B E F#
I was a dam builder, across the river deep and wide
B E
Where steel and water did collide
F# B E
A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado
F# B E F#
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below
B E F# B
They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 4

 
F# B E
I was a starship rider, a distant pioneer
B E F# B
I sailed a freighter ‘cross the sea of stars and year
F# B E F#
I built a legacy on hope and toil
B E F#
I reached the promise of the promised soil
B E F# B
And when the stars are shining on the prairies up above
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Bridge

 
F# B E F# B
I’ll find a place to rest my spirit, if I can
E F# B
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
E F# B
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
E
But I will remain
F# B E F# B E
And I’ll be back again, and again and again and again and again
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Practice tip: The chord progression F# – B – E – F# is the core of the song. Practice transitioning smoothly between these barre chords, and focus on the descending bass line in the bridge for added expression.

Bmtap to play
Atap to play
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
B Major
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
Bm · A · G · D · Em

A classic narrative folk song performed by the supergroup The Highwaymen. Intermediate difficulty in the key of B.

Folk Ballad (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play with G shapes for easier chords, or play the B chords as written for a fuller sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
F# B E F#
I was a highwayman, along the coach roads I did ride
B E
With sword and pistol by my side
F# B E
Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade
F# B E F#
Many a soldier slept in shallow graves
B E F# B
I damned the lot, I was a highwayman, a highwayman
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 2

 
F# B E F#
I was a sailor, I was born upon the tide
B E
And with the sea I did beride
F# B E
All the ships I sailed, the winds were on my side
F# B E
And with the sea I did abide, I was a sailor
B E F# B
I sailed a schooner ’round the Horn to Mexico
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 3

 
F# B E F#
I was a dam builder, across the river deep and wide
B E
Where steel and water did collide
F# B E
A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado
F# B E F#
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below
B E F# B
They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 4

 
F# B E
I was a starship rider, a distant pioneer
B E F# B
I sailed a freighter ‘cross the sea of stars and year
F# B E F#
I built a legacy on hope and toil
B E F#
I reached the promise of the promised soil
B E F# B
And when the stars are shining on the prairies up above
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Bridge

 
F# B E F# B
I’ll find a place to rest my spirit, if I can
E F# B
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
E F# B
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
E
But I will remain
F# B E F# B E
And I’ll be back again, and again and again and again and again
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Practice tip: The chord progression F# – B – E – F# is the core of the song. Practice transitioning smoothly between these barre chords, and focus on the descending bass line in the bridge for added expression.

Bmtap to play
Atap to play
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
B Major
Difficulty
Intermediate
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
Bm · A · G · D · Em

A classic narrative folk song performed by the supergroup The Highwaymen. Intermediate difficulty in the key of B.

Folk Ballad (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play with G shapes for easier chords, or play the B chords as written for a fuller sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
F# B E F#
I was a highwayman, along the coach roads I did ride
B E
With sword and pistol by my side
F# B E
Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade
F# B E F#
Many a soldier slept in shallow graves
B E F# B
I damned the lot, I was a highwayman, a highwayman
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 2

 
F# B E F#
I was a sailor, I was born upon the tide
B E
And with the sea I did beride
F# B E
All the ships I sailed, the winds were on my side
F# B E
And with the sea I did abide, I was a sailor
B E F# B
I sailed a schooner ’round the Horn to Mexico
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 3

 
F# B E F#
I was a dam builder, across the river deep and wide
B E
Where steel and water did collide
F# B E
A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado
F# B E F#
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below
B E F# B
They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Verse 4

 
F# B E
I was a starship rider, a distant pioneer
B E F# B
I sailed a freighter ‘cross the sea of stars and year
F# B E F#
I built a legacy on hope and toil
B E F#
I reached the promise of the promised soil
B E F# B
And when the stars are shining on the prairies up above
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Bridge

 
F# B E F# B
I’ll find a place to rest my spirit, if I can
E F# B
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
E F# B
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
E
But I will remain
F# B E F# B E
And I’ll be back again, and again and again and again and again
 

Chorus

 
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
E F# B E
And I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird in the sky
F# B E F#
I’ll fly, fly, fly like a bird and I’ll die
 

Practice tip: The chord progression F# – B – E – F# is the core of the song. Practice transitioning smoothly between these barre chords, and focus on the descending bass line in the bridge for added expression.