This version is not exactly like any particular version but is rather a blend of many, Joan Baez, Jack Elliot, Alan Lomax and others. I use two chord progressions here, either I, III7, IV, I, V, I or I, I7, IV, II7, I, V,I. I like to use them on alternating verses but either one is fine for the whole song. I've also included a bunch of spare verses, again, use them wherever you wish and only as few or as many as you wish. If you've got the players present there are lots of opportunities for instrumental breaks. Have fun! RAILROAD BILL

^CRailroad Bill, Railroad Bill ^E7He never worked, and he ^Fnever will, and it's r^Cide, r^Gide, ^Cride.

^CRailroad Bill, he a^C7in't so bad, ^Fkilled his momma, shot a ^D7round in his dad ^CRide old ^GRailroad ^CBill.

^CRailroad Bill done took my wife. ^E7If I'd said a word, he'd have ta^Fken my life And it’^Cs Ride ol^Gd Railroa^Cd Bill.

^CRailroad Bill he was comin' ^C7down the hill ^FLightin' cigars with a ^D7ten-dollar bill ^CRide old ^GRailroad Bi^Cll

^CTen policemen, all dressed in black, ^E7coming out of nowhere, walking ^Fdown the tracks, and they're ^Clooking for ^GRailroad ^CBill

^CRailroad Bill, comin' ^C7round the fence ^FRobbin' a passenger train for ^D716 cents I'm gonna ^Cride old ^GRailroad ^CBill

^CRailroad Bill got in a gamblin' game ^E7shot a man down, though he ^Fwas to blame ^Cwhen you lose your mind, just ^Glet it ^Cloose

^CRailroad Bill he's a ^C7mighty bad man ^FShot the lantern from a ^D7brakeman's hand ^CJust to see that man ^Gsuffer ^Cpain.

^CGot a great long pistol, 'bout as long as your arm, ^E7I'm gonna shoot everybody ever ^Fdone me harm And it’^Cs ride^G, Bill^C, ride.

^CGot a .38 special on a .^C745 frame. ^FHow can I miss when I ^D7got dead aim ^CRide, ^Gride, ^Cride.

^CGonna drink my whiskey, gonna drink it in the wind ^E7The doctor said it'd kill me, but he ^Fdidn't say when, And it’^Cs ride Ol^Gd Railroa^Cd Bill

^CGoing up on the mountain, ^C7going out west. ^FThirty eight special sticking ^D7out of my vest. ^CRide, ^Gride Bill ^CRide.

(I usually use this as the last verse.)

^CRailroad Bill, Railroad Bill ^E7He never worked, and he ^Fnever will, ^CRide, ^Gride, ^Cride.

Ramblin' Jack Elliott - Railroad bill