Elizabeth Cotten - Freight Train Ukulele Chords
Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
Ukulele E7 chord diagram
Ukulele F chord diagram
Ukulele C chord diagram
Ukulele G7 chord diagram
[chorus]
[E7] [E7] [F] [F]
[C] [G7] [C] [C]
[C]Freight train, Freight train, [G7]running so fast
[G7]Freight train, Freight train, [C]run so fast
[E7]Please don’t tell what [F]train I’m on
So they [C]won’t know what [G7]route I’ve [C]gone
[Opening]
[C]When I am dead and [G7]in my grave
[G7]No more good times [C]here I crave
[E7]Place the stones at my [F]head and feet
Tell them [C]all that I’ve [G7]gone to [C]sleep.
[interlude]
[E7] [E7] [F] [F]
[C] [G7] [C] [C]
[chorus]
[C]Freight train, Freight train, [G7]running so fast
[G7]Freight train, Freight train, [C]run so fast
[E7]Please don’t tell what [F]train I’m on
So [C]they won’t [G7]know what route I’ve [C]gone
[Closing]
[C]When I die, Lord [G7]bury me deep
[G7]Way down on old [C]Chestnut street
[E7]Then I can hear old [F]Number 9
As she [C]comes [G7]rolling [C]by.
[outro]
[E7] [E7] [F] [F]
[C] [G7] [C] [C]
How to play Freight Train on Ukulele (Step-by-step)
Elizabeth Cotten - Freight Train on ukulele requires 4 chords and 4 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓-↓↑-↓↑↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.
Freight Train uses these transitions most often: C → G7 (11), G7 → C (11), and E7 → F (7). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with E7 - F chord transition.
1. E7 → F chord transition
To move from E7 to F;
- While playing E7, lift your ring finger from A string fret 2.
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from C string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
2. F → C chord transition
To move from F to C;
- While playing F, first lift your index finger and middle finger.
- Place ring finger on A string fret 3.
3. C → G7 chord transition
To move from C to G7;
- Slide your ring finger on A string from fret 3 to fret 2.
- Place index finger on E string fret 1.
- Place middle finger on C string fret 2.
4. C → E7 chord transition
To move from C to E7;
- Slide your ring finger on A string from fret 3 to fret 2.
- Place index finger on G string fret 1.
- Place middle finger on C string fret 2.
Freight Train chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Freight Train.
- Freight Train includes 42 chord transitions, 4 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
- Freight Train contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
- These transition patterns show how Freight Train connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After C, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
- C → G7: 2%
- C → E7: 1%
After G7, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (69%), C7 (5%), and F (5%).- G7 → C: 69%