Crossroads | Chords + Lyrics
Intro
| A7 | A7 | A9 | A9 |
| D7 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
| E5 | D7 | A7 | A7 E |
Verse 1
| A7 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knee.
| D5 D6 D5 D6 | D5 D6 D5 D6 | A7 | A7 |
Down to the crossroads, fell down on my knee.
| E5 E6 E5 E6 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
Asked the Lord above for mercy, take me if you please
Verse 2
| A7 | D5 D6 D5 D6 | A7 | A7 |
I went down to the crossroad, tried to flag a ride.
| D5 D6 D5 D6 | D5 D6 D5 D6 | A7 | A7 |
Down to the crossroad, tried to flag a ride.
| E5 E6 E5 E6 | D5 D6 D5 D6 | A7 | A7 |
Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by.
Verse 3
| A7 | D5 D6 D5 D6 | A7 | A7 |
Well, I’m going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side.
| D5 D6 D5 D6 | D5 D6 D5 D6 | A7 | A7 |
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side,
| E5 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
We can still buy our house, baby, on the riverside.
Solo 1
| A7 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
| D7 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
| E7 | D7 | A7 | A7 E |
| A7 | A7 | A7 | A7 |
| D7 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
| E7 | D7/F# | A7 | A7 |
Verse 4
| A7 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side.
| D7 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side.
| E5 | D5 D6 D5 | A7 | A7 |
We can still buy our house, baby, on the riverside.
Solo 2
||: A7 | A7 | A7 | A7 |
| D7 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
| E5 | D5 | A7 | A7 :|| x3
Verse 5
| A7 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
You can run, you can run, tell my friend boy Willie Brown.
| D7 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
Run, you can run, tell my friend boy Willie Brown,
| E5 | D7 N.C | A7 | A7 |
and I’m standing at the crossroad, believe I’m sinking down.
Crossroads Chords: Learn the progressions
The chord progression is a standard 12-bar blues in the key of A, with dom7, and during the intro, a 9 extension.
| A7 | A7 | A9 | A9 |
| D7 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
| E5 | D7 | A7 | A7 E |
As the verse starts, there’s a quick change in bar two.
| A7 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
| D7 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
| E5 | D7 | A7 | A7 E |
The riff uses an A chord, with a C on string 5. C is the m3rd in relation to A. We also have a C# on string 2, which means that the riff is a mix between minor and major.
This makes complete sense since it is common practice in blues to mix minor and major.
Extensions of 6, the classic rock n roll trick, sometimes appears over the D and even E chords.
During the solo, first-time around we have a quick change, the second time, we move to D/F# after the E chord. Changes like this do make a subtle, but important impact.
The video lesson above demonstrates the famous riffs and licks from the legendary live recording.
Is Eric Clapton the greatest British guitarist of all time?
Probably the most famous of all British electric guitarists, Eric Clapton is one of the all-time greats.
Clapton came to prominence with his phenomenal guitar playing in bands such as The Yardbirds and John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers.
However, it’s his playing with Cream, specifically their version of the Robert Johnson song Crossroads, that brought him worldwide fame.
Crossroads Chords | Related Pages
Five similar tunes with chords and lyrics
- Are You Gonna Go My Way chords by Lenny Kravitz
- Born Under A Bad Sign chords by Albert King
- Pride & Joy chords by Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Sunshine Of Your Love chords by Cream
- The Stumble chords by Freddie King
Eric Clapton tunes
As well as a member of bands like Derek & The Dominos, The Yardbirds, and Cream, Eric Clapton has successfully played sessions for more stars than any other guitar player.
His long career earned him three inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
Eric Clapton on the web
Cream tunes
The ’60s British super-group that Eric Clapton joined after his time with John Mayhall and The Bluesbreakers was Cream.
Cream’s sound could be described as a hybrid of blues, pop, and psychedelic rock. Hits include Crossroads, Sunshine Of Your Love, Strange Brew, and White Room.
Cream on the web
Blues & Jazz
The foundation upon which popular music stands, Blues & Jazz tunes must be explored in depth by the serious guitar player.
Learn from the best by studying the greatest tunes of the genres. Study the iconic licks and melodies to grasp the language of these most important styles.
About me | Dan Lundholm
This was a guitar lesson about Crossroads chords, by Dan Lundholm. Discover more about him and learn guitar with Spytunes.
Most importantly, find out why you should learn guitar through playing tunes, not practising scales, and studying theory in isolation.
