G
Am
C
D
D7
King Of The Road
Roger Miller
"King Of The Road" by Roger Miller is a classic country song known for its relaxed, swinging feel and storytelling lyrics. The original recording has a laid-back tempo and features a simple, catchy chord progression that makes it accessible for beginner guitarists.
Chords & Progression
The song uses basic open chords: G, Am, C, D, and D7.
Practice transitioning between G, Am, and C, as these move quickly in the verses. D7 is used mainly as a turnaround—make sure you’re comfortable switching between D and D7.
Strumming Pattern
Aim for a light, swinging strum to match the song’s country shuffle. A good beginner pattern is:
Down, down-up, up-down-up (D, D-U, U-D-U) per chord.
Keep your strumming hand loose, and emphasize the second and fourth beats for a relaxed feel.
Techniques & Tips
- Mute the strings slightly with your palm for a more percussive, “chugging” sound.
- If chord transitions are difficult, slow down and practice moving between each pair until smooth.
- For the intro and outro, stick to simple down-strums on G to set the rhythm.
- Sing along to help with timing—this song’s rhythm is closely tied to the lyrics.
With steady practice, you’ll capture the easygoing, storytelling vibe that makes "King Of The Road" a timeless favorite.
Intro
G G G G
Verse 1G Trailers forAm sale orC rent,D rooms to let,G fifty cents
No phone noAm pool noC pets,D I ain't got noD7 cigarettes ah but
G Two hours ofAm pushin'C broom buys aD eight by twelveG four-bit room I'm a
Man ofC means by no meansD , king of theG road
Verse 2G Third boxcarAm midnightC train,D destinationG Bangor Maine
Old worn outAm suits andC shoes,D I don't pay noD7 union dues I smoke
G Old stogiesAm I haveC found,D short, but not tooG big around I'm a
Man ofC means by no meansD , king ofG road
BridgeG I know every engineer onC every train
D All of their children andG all of their names
And every handout inC every town
AndD every lock thatD7 ain't locked whenD no one's aD7 round I sing
Verse 3G Trailers forAm sale orC rent,D rooms to letG fifty cents
No phone noAm pool noC pets,D I ain't got noD7 cigarettes ah but
G Two hours ofAm pushin'C broom buys anD eight by twelveG four-bit room I'm a
Man ofC means by no meansD , king of theG road
OutroG Trailers forAm sale orC rent,D rooms to letG fifty cents
No phone noAm pool noC pets,D I ain't got noD7 cigarettesG