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Paradise

Chords

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Paradise chords
Capo II *
C F C  G7 C  F C  G7 C  G7 C
When CI was a child my Ffamily would Ctravel,
down to Western Kentucky where my G7parents were Cborn
And there's a backwards old town that's Foften reCmembered,
so many times that my G7memories are Cworn.
And Cdaddy won't you take me back to FMuhlenberg CCounty,
down by the Green River where G7Paradise Clay
Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're Ftoo late in Casking,
Mr. Peabody's coal train has G7hauled it aCway
Well, Csometimes we'd travel right Fdown the Green CRiver,
to the abandoned old prison down by G7Adrie CHill
Where the air smelled like snakes and we'd Fshoot with our Cpistols,
but empty pop bottles was G7all we would Ckill.
And Cdaddy won't you take me back to FMuhlenberg CCounty,
down by the Green River where G7Paradise Clay
Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're Ftoo late in Casking,
Mr. Peabody's coal train has G7hauled it aCway
C F C  G7 C  F C  G7 C   G7 C
Then the Ccoal company came with the Fworld's largest Cshovel,
and they tortured the timber and G7stripped all the Cland
Well, they dug for their coal till the Fland was forCsaken,
then they wrote it all down as the G7progress of Cman.
And Cdaddy won't you take me back to FMuhlenberg CCounty,
down by the Green River where G7Paradise Clay
Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're Ftoo late in Casking,
Mr. Peabody's coal train has G7hauled it aCwayC  G7  C  
When I Cdie let my ashes float Fdown the Green CRiver,
let my soul roll on up to the G7Rochester Cdam
I'll be halfway to Heaven with FParadise Cwaitin',
just five miles away from wherG7ever I Cam.
And Cdaddy won't you take me back to FMuhlenberg CCounty,
down by the Green River where G7Paradise Clay
Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're Ftoo late in Casking,
Mr. Peabody's coal train has G7hauled it aCway
 C   F    C   G7    C   F    C   G7     C   G7   C. . .
  C= D  
  F= G  
 G7= A7  
Open (These chords are not in the original key)
  C= A  
  F= D  
 G7= E7  
Open (These chords are not in the original key)
  C= E  
  F= A  
 G7= B7  

All chords in this song (10)

The story behind the song

"Paradise" is a poignant reflection on the devastating impact of surface mining for coal in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, the home county of John Prine's parents. The song laments the destruction of the former coal mining town of Paradise, which was abandoned and demolished to expand a power plant. It paints a picture of a lost landscape, referencing the actions of Peabody Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority. At its heart, the song is a powerful elegy for a place and a way of life irrevocably altered by industry.

AI-written from these sources:Paradise (John Prine song) — Wikipedia ↗John Prine — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Paradise

by John Prine

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Paradise chords

Capo II *

C F C G7 C F C G7 C G7 C

C F C

When I was a child my family would travel,

G7 C

down to Western Kentucky where my parents were born

F C

And there's a backwards old town that's often remembered,

G7 C

so many times that my memories are worn.

C F C

And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County,

G7 C

down by the Green River where Paradise lay

F C

Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking,

G7 C

Mr. Peabody's coal train has hauled it away

C F C

Well, sometimes we'd travel right down the Green River,

G7 C

to the abandoned old prison down by Adrie Hill

F C

Where the air smelled like snakes and we'd shoot with our pistols,

G7 C

but empty pop bottles was all we would kill.

C F C

And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County,

G7 C

down by the Green River where Paradise lay

F C

Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking,

G7 C

Mr. Peabody's coal train has hauled it away

C F C G7 C F C G7 C G7 C

C F C

Then the coal company came with the world's largest shovel,

G7 C

and they tortured the timber and stripped all the land

F C

Well, they dug for their coal till the land was forsaken,

G7 C

then they wrote it all down as the progress of man.

C F C

And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County,

G7 C

down by the Green River where Paradise lay

F C

Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking,

G7 C C G7 C

Mr. Peabody's coal train has hauled it away

C F C

When I die let my ashes float down the Green River,

G7 C

let my soul roll on up to the Rochester dam

F C

I'll be halfway to Heaven with Paradise waitin',

G7 C

just five miles away from wherever I am.

C F C

And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County,

G7 C

down by the Green River where Paradise lay

F C

Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking,

G7 C

Mr. Peabody's coal train has hauled it away

C F C G7 C F C G7 C G7 C

. . .

C D

F G

G7 A7

Open (These chords are not in the original key)

C A

F D

G7 E7

Open (These chords are not in the original key)

C E

F A

G7 B7

About Paradise Chords by John Prine

Learn how to play Paradise by John Prine with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Paradise chords”, “Paradise guitar chords”, or “John Prine Paradise 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 Paradise chords and for experienced players who want accurate Paradise lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, G7, D, G, A7.

FAQ — Paradise by John Prine

How do I play "Paradise" by John Prine on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Paradise" by John Prine 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 chords for "Paradise" by John Prine free?

Yes. The chords for "Paradise" by John Prine are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Paradise" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Paradise"?

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

Is "Paradise" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Paradise" by John Prine with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by John Prine below.

What key is "Paradise" in?

The chords for "Paradise" show the original chord names (including C, F, G7, D, G, A7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.