I tabbed this song basing it off the earlier James River Blues chords listed
here. I personally like this version better, and think it sounds more melancholy
when performed solo, and is easier as it uses all open chords. I put the Capo on
the first fret, but feel free to experiment and play around with it. I strum it
with a Johnny Cash-esque one-two pattern, but feel free to try different things. Enjoy!
Capo Fret 1
James River blues
I just heard the awful news
I could steer around the rocks
But they're bustin' down the docks
James River blues
That train came on through
And the works gotten slow
Now where's a boatman to go?
I think I'll float on down
To Richmond town
They don't need us anymore
Haulin' freight from shore to shore
That big iron hauls much more
Than we ever could before
I've seen good men going wrong
I've seen bad ones get it right
As that river rolls along
I'll be stepping out tonight
On the cool flow
Floatin' down down below
The bridge till the waters edge
From the ridge to the ledge
From the hills to the sea
I'll become a memory
James River blues
James River blues
James River blues
End with a flourish