Now playing

Breadline Blues

Chords

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Amajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/13

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 13Position: 5

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

Released: 1931
Album:    Songs From The Depression
Notes: - In tab below position is given from the fret position, ie 7 means 7 positions above fret
        (at 3rd fret). So in actual fact counting from the nut it is on the 10th fret.
       * after chord means strike chord once and let it ring.
       - The fast chord changes F E7 A can also be played by not playing the F and E7 chords.
           Just play the A chord on the position marked.
      No capo? Set the transpose button below at +3.
[Chords]
[A6     x02222]
Capo: 3 fret
[Intro]
A  G  F  E
 G#  A*
[Intro]
e|--A------5--G------3--F------1--E0--|
B|------5--------3--------1----0--|
G|----6--------4--------2------1--|
D|--7--------5--------3--------2--|
A|--------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------|
[Verse 1]
The latest Anews has struck me funny,
Says you have no E7friends if you haven't got Amoney,
AAnd all of us good folks in distress,
ABut I'm gonna get something A6off my Achest,
ANineteen thirty-two won't be long,
And when you Eplace your Fvote please don't E7vote Awrong,
Vote away those E7blues, those FbreadE7line Ablues.
[Interlude]
A  A
A  A
A  A
D E E A
A
A
A
E
E7
E7
E7
A
[Verse 2]
AIt's a rich man's job to make some rules,
In order to E7rid our breadline Ablues,
ANow listen here folks and it ain't no joke,
AWe've got to do something or we're A6all going to Acroak,
AWe can't get a job, we've all been Frobbed,
We've got no money and the corn's Eall cAob,
We've got nothing but E7blues, FbreadE7line Ablues.
[Instrumental]
A
A
E7
A
A
A  E7
E7
E7
A
E7
A
[Verse 3]
AIf we had state rights, I'll leave it to you,
We could all have E7fun and Fbetter E7home Abrew,
ASays the long-eared A6mule standing over his Abox,
ATo the big-mouthed A6elephant: 'You drink like an Aox,
'AYou had twelve years, proved nothing but a curse,
'Instead of Emaking it Fbetter, it's getting E7worse and Aworse',
Says the long-eared E7mule, 'I Fain't E7no Afool'.
[Verse 4]
AThe elephant said, 'You long-eared mule,
Well, you shut your E7mouth, you Fnever E7been to Aschool',
AThe mule said, 'Elephant, it ain't no joke,
'AWe've got to do something or we're A6all gonna Acroak,
'AWe ain't got nothing but a A6carload of Atax,
'And the Edoggone Fload is just a-breaking our Abacks,
'We've got the E7blues, the FbreadE7line Ablues'.
[Instrumental]
A
A
E7
E7
F E7 A
[Verse 5]
AThe latest newsA6,  Ahas struck me A6funny,A  
Says you have no E7friends if you Fhaven't E7got Amoney,
AAnd all of us good folks in distress,
ABut I'm gonna get something A6off my Achest,
ANineteen thirty-two won't be long,
And when you Fplace your vote please don't Evote Awrong,
Vote away those E7blues, those FbreadE7line Ablues.
[Outro]
A

All chords in this song (8)

Open

XO222O

Major chord - Happy, bright sound

✕ Mute Open Press

Skill · find home

A major

This chord is home. When a line ends, land here.

Breadline Blues

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Breadline Blues

by Bernard ‘Slim’ Smith

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 3 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Released: 1931

Album: Songs From The Depression

Notes: - In tab below position is given from the fret position, ie 7 means 7 positions above fret

(at 3rd fret). So in actual fact counting from the nut it is on the 10th fret.

* after chord means strike chord once and let it ring.

- The fast chord changes F E7 A can also be played by not playing the F and E7 chords.

Just play the A chord on the position marked.

No capo? Set the transpose button below at +3.

[Chords]

[A6 x02222]

Capo: 3 fret

[Intro]

A G F E

G# A

[Intro]

A G F E

e|--------5--------3--------1--0--|

B|------5--------3--------1----0--|

G|----6--------4--------2------1--|

D|--7--------5--------3--------2--|

A|--------------------------------|

E|--------------------------------|

[Verse 1]

The latest news has struck me funny,

E7 A

Says you have no friends if you haven't got money,

And all of us good folks in distress,

A A6 A

But I'm gonna get something off my chest,

Nineteen thirty-two won't be long,

E F E7 A

And when you place your vote please don't vote wrong,

E7 F E7 A

Vote away those blues, those breadline blues.

[Interlude]

A A

D E E A

[Verse 2]

It's a rich man's job to make some rules,

E7 A

In order to rid our breadline blues,

Now listen here folks and it ain't no joke,

A A6 A

We've got to do something or we're all going to croak,

A F

We can't get a job, we've all been robbed,

E A

We've got no money and the corn's all cob,

E7 F E7 A

We've got nothing but blues, breadline blues.

[Instrumental]

A E7

[Verse 3]

If we had state rights, I'll leave it to you,

E7 F E7 A

We could all have fun and better home brew,

A A6 A

Says the long-eared mule standing over his box,

A A6 A

To the big-mouthed elephant: 'You drink like an ox,

'You had twelve years, proved nothing but a curse,

E F E7 A

'Instead of making it better, it's getting worse and worse',

E7 F E7 A

Says the long-eared mule, 'I ain't no fool'.

[Verse 4]

The elephant said, 'You long-eared mule,

E7 F E7 A

Well, you shut your mouth, you never been to school',

The mule said, 'Elephant, it ain't no joke,

A A6 A

'We've got to do something or we're all gonna croak,

A A6 A

'We ain't got nothing but a carload of tax,

E F A

'And the doggone load is just a-breaking our backs,

E7 F E7 A

'We've got the blues, the breadline blues'.

[Instrumental]

F E7 A

[Verse 5]

A A6 A A6 A

The latest news, has struck me funny,

E7 F E7 A

Says you have no friends if you haven't got money,

And all of us good folks in distress,

A A6 A

But I'm gonna get something off my chest,

Nineteen thirty-two won't be long,

F E A

And when you place your vote please don't vote wrong,

E7 F E7 A

Vote away those blues, those breadline blues.

[Outro]

About Breadline Blues Tab by Bernard ‘Slim’ Smith

Learn how to play Breadline Blues by Bernard ‘Slim’ Smith with free guitar tab, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Breadline Blues chords”, “Breadline Blues guitar chords”, or “Bernard ‘Slim’ Smith Breadline Blues chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Breadline Blues chords and for experienced players who want accurate Breadline Blues lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F, E7, A, A6, G, E.

FAQ — Breadline Blues by Bernard ‘Slim’ Smith

How do I play "Breadline Blues" by Bernard ‘Slim’ Smith on guitar?

Open the free tab for "Breadline Blues" by Bernard ‘Slim’ Smith on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the tab for "Breadline Blues" by Bernard ‘Slim’ Smith free?

Yes. The tab for "Breadline Blues" by Bernard ‘Slim’ Smith are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Breadline Blues" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Breadline Blues" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Breadline Blues"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Breadline Blues" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Breadline Blues" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Breadline Blues" by Bernard ‘Slim’ Smith with our free tab. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bernard ‘Slim’ Smith below.

What key is "Breadline Blues" in?

The tab for "Breadline Blues" show the original chord names (including F, E7, A, A6, G, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.