North Country Blues

Chords
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North Country Blues
Bob Dylan
by Daz
This is a great song and very simple,there is a little intro
and the fill at the end of each verse but you should also hit the G note Root
of each G chord on the beat throughout the song and you can also hammer on this
note as well. Don't worry too much about it I'm sure Dylan hardly played it the
same way too often.listen to the song and you should get the idea pretty quick.
Capo 3rd Fret
Intro
Ame-------------|-------------|------------|
B-----1-1-1---|----1-1------|-----1-1-1--|
G-----2-2-2---|----2-2------|-----2-2-2--|
D-----2-2-2---|----2-2------|-----2-2-2--|
A-0-----------|-------------|-0----------|
E-------------|-0-------3---|------------|
Fill at the end of each verse played over the Am
chord
e-Am-------------|
B--------------|
G--------------|
D-0h2-0h2------|
A---------0--0-|
E--------------|
Intro
AmCome gather 'round friends and I'll Gtell you a tale
Of when the Amred iron-Gore pits ran a-Amplenty
But the cardboard-filled windows and Gold men on the benches
Tell you Amnow that the Gwhole town is Amempty
AmIn the north end of town my own Gchildren are grown
But AmI was raGised on the otAmher
In the wee hours of youth my Gmother took sick
And AmI was brought Gup by my bAmrother
AmAll iron ore poured as the Gyears passed the door
The Amdrag lines and Gshovels they was a-Amhumming
'Till one day my brother Gfailed to come home
The Amsame as my Gfather befAmore him
AmWith, a long winter's wait from the Gwindow I watched
My Amfriends they Gcouldn't have been Amkinder
And my schooling was cut as I Gquit in the spring
To Ammarry John GThomas, a Amminer
Amthe years passed again, and the Ggiving was good
With the Amlunch bucket Gfilled every Amseason
What with three babies born, the Gwork was cut down
To a Amhalf a day's Gshift with no Amreason
AmThen the shaft was soon shut, and Gmore work was cut
And the Amfire in the Gair, it felt Amfrozen
'Till a man come to speak, and he sGaid in one week
That Amnumber elGeven was Amclosing
AmThey say in the East, they are Gpaying too high
They Amsay that your Gore ain't worth Amdigging
That it's much cheaper down in the GSouth American towns
Where the Amminers work Galmost for Amnothing
AmSo the mining gates locked, and the Gred iron rotted
And the Amroom smelled Gheavy from Amdrinking
And the sad, silent song made the Ghour twice as long
As I Amwaited for the Gsun to go Amsinking
AmI lived by the window as he Gtalked to himself
This Amsilence of Gtongues it was Ambuilding
'Till one morning's wake, the Gbed it was bare
And AmI was left aGlone with three Amchildren
AmThe summer is gone, the Gground's turning cold
The Amstores one by Gone they're a Amfolding
My children will go as Gsoon as they grow
Well, there Amain't nothing Ghere now to Amhold them
All chords in this song (2)

The story behind the song

"North Country Blues" paints a stark picture of life in a mining community facing decline. Through the eyes of a woman whose life is shaped by tragedy—from losing family members in the mines to watching her husband struggle with unemployment and despair—the song explores the devastating impact of economic hardship on individuals and families. The lyrics vividly portray a town emptying out as the mines close, leaving behind a sense of hopelessness and a future where the younger generation is compelled to leave. It's a poignant narrative about the human cost of industrial change, particularly in the iron ore mining regions.

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About North Country Blues Chords by Bob Dylan

Learn how to play North Country Blues by Bob Dylan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “North Country Blues chords”, “North Country Blues guitar chords”, or “Bob Dylan North Country 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 North Country Blues chords and for experienced players who want accurate North Country Blues lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, Am, B, D, A, E.

FAQ — North Country Blues by Bob Dylan

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Can I transpose "North Country Blues" to a different key?

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Is "North Country Blues" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "North Country Blues" in?

The chords for "North Country Blues" show the original chord names (including G, Am, B, D, A, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.