On the album Big Iron World this is played with a capo on the third fret.


Intro: Bm G
       BmG AD

D (xx0232@1)             GJames (320003@1)River blues
D (xx0232@1)                      GI (320003@1)just heard the awful news
D (xx0232@1)                        GI (320003@1)could steer around the rocks
D (xx0232@1)                            G (320003@1)But they're bustin' down the docks

D G D G

D (xx0232@1)            GJames (320003@1)River blues
D (xx0232@1)                   GThat (320003@1)train came on through
D (xx0232@1)                     GAnd (320003@1)the works getting slow
D (xx0232@1)                     G (320003@1)Now where's a boat man to go?


Bm (x24432@1)                   GI (320003@1)think I'll float on down
Bm (x24432@1)          GTo (320003@1)Richmond town
Bm (x24432@1)                   GThey (320003@1)don't need us anymore
                               BmHaulin' (x24432@1)freight from shore to shore
                           GThat (320003@1)big iron hauls much more
                CThan (x32010@1)we ever could before

D G D G

D (xx0232@1)                        GI've (320003@1)seen good men going wrong
D (xx0232@1)                         GI've (320003@1)seen bad ones get it right
D (xx0232@1)                    GAs (320003@1)that river rolls along
D (xx0232@1)                     G (320003@1)I'll be stepping out tonight


Bm (x24432@1)          GOn (320003@1)the cool flow
Bm (x24432@1)                  GFloatin' (320003@1)down, down below
Bm (x24432@1)                       GThe (320003@1)bridge to the waters edge
Bm (x24432@1)                 GFrom (320003@1)the ridge to ledge
Bm (x24432@1)                   GFrom (320003@1)the hills to the sea
Bm (x24432@1)            G (320003@1) CI'll (x32010@1)become a memory

D (xx0232@1)            GJames (320003@1)River Blues
D (xx0232@1)            GJames (320003@1)River Blues
D (xx0232@1)            GJames (320003@1)River Blues             

DG DG DG DG