The Carter Family – The Western Hobo (Guitar)

Key
-

Auto-scroll

Video

Chords

Recorded 1929 by the original Carter Family, although on this track only Sara and Maybelle sing. Maybelle plays Lap steel. Lap steel open tuning F [Intro] F Bb F C F [Verse 1]
    F                     Bb             F
The wild western hobo who left his happy home

F                               C           F
Started upon a western trip all by himself alone

F                      Bb                    F
Upon this western trip going to have lots of fun

F                               C              F
But upon this western trip this is the song he sung
[Chorus]
F                     Bb          F         C           F 
Ee ode layee oh de layee ay oh de layee ode layee oh de layee
[Instrumental] F Bb F C F [Verse 2]
    F                      Bb                F
I stepped up on a platform smoking a cheap cigar

F                                   C              F
Waiting to catch a freight train to catch an empty car

  F                               Bb                 F
I buttoned my coat up closely and walked on down the track

  F                                   C              F
I caught the steps of a sleeper car I never did look back
[Chorus]
F                     Bb          F         C           F 
Ee ode layee oh de layee ay oh de layee ode layee oh de layee
[Instrumental] F Bb F C F [Outro]
   F                       Bb                   F
My pocket book is empty my heart is filled with pain

    F                               C                     F
Ten thousand miles away from home hoboing an old freight train

       F             C         F 
Aye oh layee  Aye oh layee  oh layee