Johnny Cash - I Heard That Lonesome Whistle: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "I Heard That Lonesome Whistle" on your guitar with our detailed chord guide and lyrics. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.

Learn I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Guitar Chords and Lyrics by Johnny Cash

This section will guide you through each part of the song, providing the guitar chords placed directly above the lyrics for easy playing. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, these elements will help you perform "I Heard That Lonesome Whistle" smoothly on your guitar.

For easier playing, use our Simplify Chords feature to remove difficult chords like barre.

B                                  E              B
I was ridin' Number Nine, headin' south from Caroline.
                  F#               B
I heard that lone - some whistle blow.
                                          E              B
I got in trouble, had to roam. I left my gal; I left my home.
                  F#               B
I heard that lone - some whistle blow.

Chorus:
        E                             B
Just a kid actin' smart, I went and broke my darlin's heart.
                            F#
I guess I was too young to know.
             B                               E              B
They took me off in Georgia main, locked me to a ball and chain.
                  F#               B
I heard that lone - some whistle blow.

All alone I bear the shame. I'm a number, not a name.
I heard that lone - some whistle blow.
All I do is sit and cry when that ev'ning train goes by.
I heard that lone - some whistle blow.

Chorus:
I'll be locked here in this cell till my body's just a shell,
And my hair turns whiter than snow.
I'll never see that gal of mine. I'm in Georgia, doin' time.
I heard that lone - some whistle blow.


You can simplify chords by removing barre

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Simplify chords by removing barre

Guitar Chord Diagrams

E

Guitar chord E

F#

Guitar chord F#

B

Guitar chord B

Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably.

If you are also interested in learning how to play "I Heard That Lonesome Whistle" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "I Heard That Lonesome Whistle" by Johnny Cash.

Johnny Cash Song List