Skip to song content
Ukulelearn homepage
14,015 TRANSITIONS ANALYZED#1 at 23%: Which Transition?We analyzed 14,015 chord transitions and ranked the 100 most repeated ones. Even the first 10 will transform your practice routine. The top transition appears in 23% of all songs.

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott - Railroad Bill Ukulele Chords

DATA-DRIVENWhich Chord Comes Next?Learn the most likely chord transitions on the ukulele and start playing songs with confidence.
ChordsC, E7, F, G, C7, D7
Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

CRailroadBill,RailroadBill
E7Heneverworked,andheFneverwill,
Andit’sCride,Gride,Cride.
CRailroadBill,heC7ain’tsobad,
FKilledhismomma,shotaD7roundinhisdad
CRideoldGRailroadCBill.
CRailroadBilldonetookmywife.
E7IfI’dsaidaword,he’dhave Ftakenmylife
Andit’sCRideoldGRailroadCBill.
CRailroadBillhewascomingC7downthehill
FLightingcigarswithaD7tendollarbill
CRideoldGRailroad CBill
CTenpolicemen,alldressedinblack,
E7Comingoutofnowhere,walkingFdownthetracks,
Andthey’reClookingforGRailroadCBill
CRailroadBill,comingC7roundthefence
FRobbingapassengertrainforD716cents
I’mgonnaCrideoldGRailroadCBill
CRailroadBillgotinagamblinggame
E7Shotamandown,thoughheFwastoblame
CWhenyouloseyourmind,justGletitCloose
CGotagreatlongpistol,’boutaslongasyourarm,
E7I’mgonnashooteverybodyeverFdonemeharm
Andit’sCride,GBill,Cride.
CGota.38specialonaC7.45frame.
FHowcanImisswhenID7gotdeadaim
CRide,Gride,Cride.
CGonnadrinkmywhiskey,gonnadrinkitinthewind
E7Thedoctorsaidit’dkillme,butheFdidn’tsaywhen,
Andit’sCrideOldGRailroadCBill
CGoinguponthemountain,C7goingoutwest.
FThirtyeightspecialstickingD7outofmyvest.
CRide,GrideBillCRide.
CRailroadBill,RailroadBill
E7Heneverworked,andheFneverwill,
CRide,Gride,Cride.
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookDiscover the most-used three-chord combinations in songs and build real command on the ukulele.
14,015 TRANSITIONS ANALYZED#1 at 23%: Which Transition?Master ukulele today with the 100 most repeated chord transitions from 14,015 analyzed.
ArtistRamblin' Jack Elliott
AlbumHard Travelin'
GenresFolk
Year1989
KeyC
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Railroad Bill on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Ramblin' Jack Elliott - Railroad Bill on ukulele requires 6 chords and 8 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.

Railroad Bill uses these transitions most often: C → G (12), G → C (12), and C → E7 (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 C - E7 chord transition.

1. C → E7 chord transition

Ukulele C chord diagram Fingering: 0-0-0-3Ukulele C chord diagram
Ukulele E7 chord diagram Fingering: 1-2-0-2Ukulele E7 chord diagram

Here's how to move from C to E7:

  1. Slide your ring finger on A string from fret 3 to fret 2.
  2. Place index finger on G string fret 1.
  3. Place middle finger on C string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 7 times.

C to E7

2. E7 → F chord transition

Ukulele E7 chord diagram Fingering: 1-2-0-2Ukulele E7 chord diagram
Ukulele F chord diagram Fingering: 2-0-1-0Ukulele F chord diagram

Here's how to move from E7 to F:

  1. While playing E7, lift your ring finger from A string fret 2.
  2. Lift your index finger from G string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 2 to G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 7 times.

E7 to F

3. F → C chord transition

Ukulele F chord diagram Fingering: 2-0-1-0Ukulele F chord diagram
Ukulele C chord diagram Fingering: 0-0-0-3Ukulele C chord diagram

Here's how to move from F to C:

  1. While playing F, first lift your index finger and middle finger.
  2. Place ring finger on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 7 times.

F to C

4. C → G chord transition

Ukulele C chord diagram Fingering: 0-0-0-3Ukulele C chord diagram
Ukulele G chord diagram Fingering: 0-2-3-2Ukulele G chord diagram

To move from C to G:

  1. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
  2. Place index finger on C string fret 2.
  3. Place middle finger on A string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 12 times.

C to G

5. C → C7 chord transition

To move from C to C7:

  1. While playing C, lift your ring finger from A string fret 3.
  2. Place index finger on A string fret 1.

This transition appears in the section, played 5 times.

6. C7 → F chord transition

To move from C7 to F:

  1. Lift your index finger from A string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
  2. Place middle finger on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 5 times.

7. F → D7 chord transition

Switching from F to D7:

  1. While playing F, lift your middle finger from G string fret 2.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 5 times.

8. D7 → C chord transition

Switching from D7 to C:

  1. While playing D7, lift your index finger from G string fret 2.
  2. Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 5 times.

Railroad Bill chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Railroad Bill.

  • Railroad Bill includes 65 chord transitions, 8 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • Railroad Bill contains 2 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how Railroad Bill 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 → G: 35%
    • C → C7: 2%
    After F, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (40%), G (21%), and Am (11%).
    • F → C: 40%
    • F → D7: 0%
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookThe 200 most popular three-chord chains extracted from real songs. See which songs use each chain, learn the finger transitions, and expand your repertoire with patterns that actually matter.