Rock Island Line Johnny Cash
The Rock Island Line
Johnny Cash
Now this is a strange song to play. It only has two chords, E and B7, and most
of the song is played by reciting and slowly strumming
the E chord faster as you go along.... if you are familiar with
the song, you should have no problem with it. If not, then
just listen to the recording and you should easily pick it up.
Capo 2
Slowly strum E
Well the Rock Island Line runs from New Orleans, goin' north. The train driver pulled
up to the tollgate, and the man asked him what all they had on board. He said, "I ain't
got no pigiron..", he said "What do you got?".
He said "I got livestock, I got livestock, I got cows, I got pigs, I got chicks,
I got mules, I got all livestock, I got all livestock,
I got aaaalllll live-stock...". The man said "You alright
then you go on through." So he went on through the tollgate.
And as he went through, he started pickin' up a little bit o' speed..."
(Now start to strum at a little faster tempo)
"Pickin' up a bit o'little steam. And as he went through he said,
"Well I fooled you,I fooled you, I got pigiron, I got pigiron, I got all pigiron,
I got all pigiron, I got aaaalllll pigiron...."
Chorus
[E]Down the Rock Island Line is a mighty good road,
Rock Island Line is the [B7]road to ride
[E]Rock Island Line is a mighty good road
Well if you ride, you got to ride it like you find it
Get your ticket at the station on the [B7]Rock Island [E]Line
[E]Its cloudy in the north and it looks like rain,
And around the curve come a passenger train.
Chorus
[E]Yes the Rock Island Line is a mighty good road,
Rock Island Line is the [B7]road to ride
[E]Rock Island Line is a mighty good road
Well if you ride, you got to ride it like you find it
Get your ticket at the station on the [B7]Rock Island [E]Line
(Now strum at a fast tempo)
Then she goes on north, and as she passes the flatlands, The Illinois,
she picks up a little bit more speed....
[E]Well A, B, C, W, X, Y, Z
Cat's in the cupboard but it don't see me
Chorus
[E]Down the Rock Island Line is a mighty good road,
Rock Island Line is the [B7]road to ride
[E]Rock Island Line is a mighty good road
Well if you ride, you got to ride it like you find it
Get your ticket at the station on the [B7]Rock Island [E]Line
[E]Rock Island Line is a mighty good road,
Rock Island Line is the [B7]road to ride
[E]Rock Island Line is a mighty good road
Well if you ride, you got to ride it like you find it
Get your ticket at the station on the [B7]Rock Island [E]Line
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