Sat down the other evening to tried and work this out, i love this song so much 
and hope this helps you learn this great song

B7E---------- (x21202@1)B----------
G--2-------
D--1-------
A--2-------
E--0-------

on the G chord, do this as well.
E-3------3---
B-3------2---
G-0------0---
D-0------0---
A-2------2---
E-3----2h3---

Intro: Em, D, A, C, D, Em

Em (022000@1)                                D (xx0232@1)           AI (x02220@1)grew up in the scantling yards of Wheeling West Virginia
   C (x32010@1)           D (xx0232@1)                 EmA (022000@1)wheelhouse cub looking for an open door
Em (022000@1)                                 D (xx0232@1)        AIn (x02220@1)the packet ways a Sweeney wed the keel of my Bonita
     C (x32010@1)                 D (xx0232@1)             EmJust (022000@1)two months from her timbers til she moored
Em (022000@1)                                    D (xx0232@1)       AI (x02220@1)paid the fare in billet on her maiden voyage to Vicksburg
C (x32010@1)                           D (xx0232@1)           EmAnd (022000@1)talked my way to hand the tiller on the course
Em (022000@1)                                          D (xx0232@1)        AIn (x02220@1)her planks I carved a notch and sealed the vow "Be my Bonita"
C (x32010@1)                  D (xx0232@1)              EmAnd (022000@1)her dowry was my life between the shores

Chorus

Em (022000@1)              D (xx0232@1)           C (x32010@1)               GI (320003@1)was born with rouging ways, and she steered me like a woman
         C (x32010@1)                                   B7From (x21202@1)the port calls and the bawds that lead me stray
    Em (022000@1)          D (xx0232@1)            C (x32010@1)            GThe (320003@1)calliope serenades, made the old towns come running
        C (x32010@1)                                  B7And (x21202@1)the boys would gamble shards to pull her chains
              C (x32010@1)                 D (xx0232@1)             Em (022000@1)               
The striker's boast would fain me loss, about the wrecks the shoals were
Akeeping (x02220@1)            C (x32010@1)                 D (xx0232@1)            EmAnd (022000@1)how the old girl's got poor Billy's ransom saved



Em, D, A, C, D, Em x2

Em (022000@1)                   D (xx0232@1)              AOn (x02220@1)the lake at Bistineau, she set the wharf at Dixie
       C (x32010@1)               D (xx0232@1)           EmWith (022000@1)a thousand bales of cotton on her main
       Em (022000@1)                        D (xx0232@1)            AAs (x02220@1)the great raft disappeared, the watermark went sinking
            C (x32010@1)                 D (xx0232@1)            EmAnd (022000@1)she was stuck right hard, a listing on the bank
         Em (022000@1)                     D (xx0232@1)           AWith (x02220@1)the furnace still a blaze, I stood my last upon her
     C (x32010@1)                  D (xx0232@1)               EmThen (022000@1)climbed the prow and took a landsman's trade
   Em (022000@1)                          D (xx0232@1)            A"A (x02220@1)derelict now Milady" said the watch log I've concorded
          C (x32010@1)            D (xx0232@1)                 Em"Have (022000@1)the bosun sound us eight bells for the change"

Chorus:
     Em (022000@1)              D (xx0232@1)           C (x32010@1)               GI (320003@1)was born with rouging ways, and she steered me like a woman
         C (x32010@1)                                   B7From (x21202@1)the port calls and the bawds that lead me stray
    Em (022000@1)          D (xx0232@1)            C (x32010@1)            GThe (320003@1)calliope serenades, made the old towns come running
      
            Em (022000@1)          D (xx0232@1)           C (x32010@1)             GAnd (320003@1)I would take to wider walks, so the gin I stopped a drinking
   C (x32010@1)                             B7At (x21202@1)three scores aloft this crooked frame
              C (x32010@1)                 D (xx0232@1)             Em (022000@1)               
The striker's boast would fain me loss, about the wrecks the shoals were
Akeeping (x02220@1)            C (x32010@1)                 D (xx0232@1)            EmAnd (022000@1)how the old girl's got poor Billy's ransom saved

Outro: Em, D, A, C, D, Em