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King of the Road Chords

Roger Miller Beginner Key of G 3 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D

King of the Road Chords – Guitar

Roger Miller’s classic hobo anthem celebrating a simple, wandering life. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Bouncy Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep a light, relaxed feel to match the carefree lyrics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G D G

Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents

C G D G

No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes

C G

Ah, but two hours of pushing broom buys an

D G

Eight by twelve four-bit room

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Verse 2

G D G

I know every engineer on every train, all of their children

C G D G

And all of their names, and every handout in every town

C G D

And every lock that ain’t locked when no one’s around

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Bridge

C G

I sing, trailers for sale or rent

D G

Rooms to let, fifty cents

C G

I sing, trailers for sale or rent

D G

Rooms to let, fifty cents

Verse 3

G D G

Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents

C G D G

No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes

C G

Ah, but two hours of pushing broom buys an

D G

Eight by twelve four-bit room

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Practice tip: Master the G, C, and D chords first, then work on the quick changes in the “two hours of pushing broom” line.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "King of the Road"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "King of the Road" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "King of the Road" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "King of the Road"?

It was written by Roger Miller, and released in 1964.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D

King of the Road Chords – Ukulele

Roger Miller’s classic hobo anthem celebrating a simple, wandering life. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Bouncy Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep a light, relaxed feel to match the carefree lyrics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G D G

Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents

C G D G

No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes

C G

Ah, but two hours of pushing broom buys an

D G

Eight by twelve four-bit room

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Verse 2

G D G

I know every engineer on every train, all of their children

C G D G

And all of their names, and every handout in every town

C G D

And every lock that ain’t locked when no one’s around

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Bridge

C G

I sing, trailers for sale or rent

D G

Rooms to let, fifty cents

C G

I sing, trailers for sale or rent

D G

Rooms to let, fifty cents

Verse 3

G D G

Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents

C G D G

No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes

C G

Ah, but two hours of pushing broom buys an

D G

Eight by twelve four-bit room

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Practice tip: Master the G, C, and D chords first, then work on the quick changes in the “two hours of pushing broom” line.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "King of the Road"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "King of the Road" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "King of the Road" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "King of the Road"?

It was written by Roger Miller, and released in 1964.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D

King of the Road Chords – Piano

Roger Miller’s classic hobo anthem celebrating a simple, wandering life. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Bouncy Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep a light, relaxed feel to match the carefree lyrics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G D G

Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents

C G D G

No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes

C G

Ah, but two hours of pushing broom buys an

D G

Eight by twelve four-bit room

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Verse 2

G D G

I know every engineer on every train, all of their children

C G D G

And all of their names, and every handout in every town

C G D

And every lock that ain’t locked when no one’s around

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Bridge

C G

I sing, trailers for sale or rent

D G

Rooms to let, fifty cents

C G

I sing, trailers for sale or rent

D G

Rooms to let, fifty cents

Verse 3

G D G

Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents

C G D G

No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes

C G

Ah, but two hours of pushing broom buys an

D G

Eight by twelve four-bit room

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Practice tip: Master the G, C, and D chords first, then work on the quick changes in the “two hours of pushing broom” line.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "King of the Road"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "King of the Road" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "King of the Road" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "King of the Road"?

It was written by Roger Miller, and released in 1964.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D

King of the Road Chords – Banjo

Roger Miller’s classic hobo anthem celebrating a simple, wandering life. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Bouncy Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep a light, relaxed feel to match the carefree lyrics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G D G

Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents

C G D G

No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes

C G

Ah, but two hours of pushing broom buys an

D G

Eight by twelve four-bit room

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Verse 2

G D G

I know every engineer on every train, all of their children

C G D G

And all of their names, and every handout in every town

C G D

And every lock that ain’t locked when no one’s around

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Bridge

C G

I sing, trailers for sale or rent

D G

Rooms to let, fifty cents

C G

I sing, trailers for sale or rent

D G

Rooms to let, fifty cents

Verse 3

G D G

Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents

C G D G

No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes

C G

Ah, but two hours of pushing broom buys an

D G

Eight by twelve four-bit room

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Practice tip: Master the G, C, and D chords first, then work on the quick changes in the “two hours of pushing broom” line.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "King of the Road"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "King of the Road" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "King of the Road" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "King of the Road"?

It was written by Roger Miller, and released in 1964.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D

King of the Road Chords – Mandolin

Roger Miller’s classic hobo anthem celebrating a simple, wandering life. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Bouncy Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep a light, relaxed feel to match the carefree lyrics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G D G

Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents

C G D G

No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes

C G

Ah, but two hours of pushing broom buys an

D G

Eight by twelve four-bit room

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Verse 2

G D G

I know every engineer on every train, all of their children

C G D G

And all of their names, and every handout in every town

C G D

And every lock that ain’t locked when no one’s around

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Bridge

C G

I sing, trailers for sale or rent

D G

Rooms to let, fifty cents

C G

I sing, trailers for sale or rent

D G

Rooms to let, fifty cents

Verse 3

G D G

Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents

C G D G

No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes

C G

Ah, but two hours of pushing broom buys an

D G

Eight by twelve four-bit room

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Practice tip: Master the G, C, and D chords first, then work on the quick changes in the “two hours of pushing broom” line.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "King of the Road"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "King of the Road" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "King of the Road" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "King of the Road"?

It was written by Roger Miller, and released in 1964.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D

King of the Road Chords – Harmonica

Roger Miller’s classic hobo anthem celebrating a simple, wandering life. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Bouncy Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep a light, relaxed feel to match the carefree lyrics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G D G

Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents

C G D G

No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes

C G

Ah, but two hours of pushing broom buys an

D G

Eight by twelve four-bit room

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Verse 2

G D G

I know every engineer on every train, all of their children

C G D G

And all of their names, and every handout in every town

C G D

And every lock that ain’t locked when no one’s around

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Bridge

C G

I sing, trailers for sale or rent

D G

Rooms to let, fifty cents

C G

I sing, trailers for sale or rent

D G

Rooms to let, fifty cents

Verse 3

G D G

Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents

C G D G

No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes

C G

Ah, but two hours of pushing broom buys an

D G

Eight by twelve four-bit room

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Chorus

G D G

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine

C G D G

Old worn-out suit and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues

C G

I smoke old stogies I have found

D G

Short, but not too big a-round

C G D G

I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road

Practice tip: Master the G, C, and D chords first, then work on the quick changes in the “two hours of pushing broom” line.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "King of the Road"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "King of the Road" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "King of the Road" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "King of the Road"?

It was written by Roger Miller, and released in 1964.