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CHATANOOGA CHOO CHOO

Artist: Glenn Miller and his OrchestraComposer: Mack Gordon and Harry WarrenGoChords.com

Part A rhythm! Before starting on the song practice getting the rhythm spot on. The song's effect is based on a

continuing syncopated strumming rhythm which represents a choo choo train coming down the track. The driver pulls

the train's whistle in time to the clatter of the train. Below is my strumming pattern There are 9 strums in the 16

quavers of two bars. Take your time to get it right - when you can 'swing' the choo choo rhythm it's time to play it!

Part B of the song is just a straight jazz beat.

Look at the first line of Part A of the song. I have given a plan for the strums. Look below and read how I strum it.

Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
G Clef
Four-Four Time
Begin Repeat
C
custom chord
F69
F9
C
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F69
F9
4 beats
2 beats
2 beats
2 beats
1 beat
1 beat

Pardon me boy is that the Chatanooga Choo Choo? Track twen-ty

Here is a strumming pattern:

Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar
Ending Bar

D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U

INTRODUCTION: I get the ryhthm going by repeating the above two bars as a vamp intro and begin when ready.

How to do it:

Using a rocking motion of the left hand I play the first C ("pardon") using the palm of the 4th finger up near the joint

crease then to play "me" I rock it forward to cover the 'g'. For "boy" I add the bar to make the F6/9 to complete bar

To play the F9 I just push the ring finger further over to cover the c string on fret 3, continuing the rocking movement

That's it! You repeat these two bars exactly the same way for as many as you like until you are ready to start singing.

G Clef
Four-Four Time
Begin Repeat
C
F9
C
F9
F69
F69
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
custom chord
custom chord
2 beats
Measure Bar
2 beats
4 beats
2 beats
1 beat
1 beat

Pardon me boy, is that the Chatanooga Choo Choo? Track twenty

Can you af ford to board the Chatanooga Choo Choo? Yes sir, I've got my

custom chord
F69
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custom chord
End Repeat
E9
1st Ending
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C
2nd Ending
2 beats
2 beats
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
4 beats
1 beat
1 beat
1 beat
1 beat
custom chord
custom chord
2 beats
2 beats
Fermata
Fermata
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nine..................... that's the Tennesee line.

fare...... 'n just a nickel to spare. You leave the

C9
F
C9
Begin Repeat
Bridge
Dm7
2 beats
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
1 beat
2 beats
2 beats
Dm7
C9
F
F9
F9
2 beats
2 beats
2 beats

Pensylvania Station 'bout a quarter to four read a maga zine un til you're in Bal ti more

When y'hear the whistle blowin' 8 to the bar then y'a know that Tennesee is not ver y far

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custom chord
custom chord
custom chord
A7
F9
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
1 beat
1 beat
1 beat
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4 beats
3 beats
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1st Ending
End Repeat

Dinner in the Din er, nothin' could be fin er, than to have yr ham and eggs in Carolin a

"Shovel all the coal in, got to keep her roll in', Whoo Whoo Chata nooga

2nd Ending
Measure Bar
Ending Bar
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custom chord
F69
custom chord

here we are

Repeat the intro vamp for 4 bars then resume the song:

C
F9
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
custom chord
F69
F9
4 beats
2 beats
C
custom chord
F69
Measure Bar
2 beats
1 beat
1 beat
2 beats

There's gonna be a certain party at the station. Satin and

custom chord
custom chord
custom chord
F69
Measure Bar
2 beats
Measure Bar
2 beats
2 beats
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
C
custom chord
custom chord
custom chord

Lace.... I used to call funny face......................................................................................

C
F9
E9
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A7
F9
Measure Bar
2 beats
Measure Bar
2 beats
2 beats
Measure Bar
F9
F#9
custom chord
custom chord
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
1 beat
1 beat
3rd Ending
Ending Close
2 beats
3 beats
F9

She's gonna cry, until I tell her that I'll ne ver e v e r roam......................, So

custom chord
custom chord
custom chord
custom chord
F69
Ending Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
Measure Bar
2 beats
2 beats
2 beats
2 beats
2 beats
1 beat
1 beat
custom chord
custom chord
Fermata
Fermata

Chatanooga Choo Choo, please just choo choo me home- Chatanooga Choo Choo

The inspiration for this song was a small wood burning steam locomotive belonging to the Cincinnati Southern Railroad Co about year 1880. Most trains headed for the south passed through the SE Tennesee city of Chatanooga. Some railway historians claim the Chatanooga Choo Choo refers to the Louisville and Nashville Dixie Flyer. The song was written by Gordon and Warren while travelling on the Birmingham Special , a train from NY city to Chatanooga. It was given a big swing band treatment by Glenn Miller for the 1941 film Sun Valley Serenade which featured the brilliant tap dancing Negros, The Williams Brothers. It became the No 1 hit across the US on 14th Dec 1941 and remained there for many weeks. It was the first gold record ever cut and Glenn Miller was presented with the Gold Replica on Feb 10, 1942. It sold over 1.2 million copies. Being a war-time song it was meant for dancing. The original Victor Record denotes it as a "Fox Trot" which was one of the dances of those days.
My arrangement:
I have tried to give it the big band treatment - which is a big ask since I only have 4 strings in 2 octaves to play with. I believe if this arrangement could be played by a group of say 10 players and sung in 3 part harmony, it would work. If you want to give it a go, get in touch with me, or just do it!

Wocky Steele March 2013.
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