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Coal Tattoo

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Aminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

This is Chuck Ragans cover of  Coal Tattoo' originally done by Billy Ed Wheeler  
and covered by numerous artists through the years. This version however is mainly 
based on Hazel Dickens version, a personal favourite of Chucks. On Capo 5. 
This is the second upload because the spacing on the first one messed up. 
_______________________________________________________
Intro (x2): Am, C, Am, C, 
                   Am  C, G, Am  
Verse 1: 
AmTravelin C/Gdown that coal toAmwn road. 
CListenin to Gmy rubber tires wAmhine.
AmGoodbye tFo Buckeye and whitAme Sycamore. 
CI'm leavin' Gyou behind.Am  
GI've beCen coaGl miner aCll of my Glife. C  
GLayin' Cdown tGrack in tChe hoGle.C  
FGotta back Amlike an ironwood, bit by the wGind. 
AmBlood veiC/Gns blue as thAme coal. 
FBlood veins C/Gblue as the cAmoal.
Verse 2: 
AmSomebody said, C/G  
"That's a strange tAmattoo you have Con the sGide of your heaAmd."
AmI said, 
"That's Cthe blueprint left by tAmhe coal. 
AmA little mGore and I'd bC/Geen dead.Am  
AmWell, I Glove thCe rumblGe and I love the Cdark. 
GI love Cthe coGol of the sChade,
AC/Gnd it's on down thAme new road, lookin for a jC/Gob. 
ThCis travelin nook in mGy head. (Sometimes Amx2)
Interlude: Intro Chords
Verse 3: 
AmI stood for the unioC/Gn and walked in Amthe line
C/GAnd fought against tAmhe company.
AmI stood fC/Gor the U. M. W. of AmA.
FNow, whos goCnna stand by mAme?
CI've got no house aGnd I got no jobC, G  
GJust got a C/Gworried soulG  
FAnd a blue C/Gtattoo on the Amside of my head 
FLeft by the C/Gnumber nine coAmal. 
FLeft by the C/Gnumber nine coAmal.
Verse 4: 
AmSome day when I'C/Gm dead and gone Am  
GTo heaven, the land Cof my dreams.Am  
AmI wont have to woCrry on losin my Amjob, 
On bCad times and big machGines.Am  
CI ain't gonna pay mGy money away Am  
GOn dues or hospitaCl plans.G  
CI'm gonna cut coaAml where the blue heavens rolCl 
FAnd sing with tGhe angel banAmd.
FAnd sing with thGe angel bandAm.
Outro:
FAnd sing with thGe angel bandAm.
FAnd sing with thGe angel bandAm.

All chords in this song (5)

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Coal Tattoo

by Chuck Ragan

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 5 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

C/G

This is Chuck Ragans cover of Coal Tattoo' originally done by Billy Ed Wheeler

and covered by numerous artists through the years. This version however is mainly

based on Hazel Dickens version, a personal favourite of Chucks. On Capo 5.

This is the second upload because the spacing on the first one messed up.

_______________________________________________________

Am C Am C

Intro (x2): , , , ,

Am C G Am

, ,

Verse 1:

Am C/G Am

Travelin down that coal town road.

C G Am

Listenin to my rubber tires whine.

Am F Am

Goodbye to Buckeye and white Sycamore.

C G Am

I'm leavin' you behind.

G C G C G C

I've been coal miner all of my life.

G C G C G C

Layin' down track in the hole.

F Am G

Gotta back like an ironwood, bit by the wind.

Am C/G Am

Blood veins blue as the coal.

F C/G Am

Blood veins blue as the coal.

Verse 2:

Am C/G

Somebody said,

Am C G Am

"That's a strange tattoo you have on the side of your head."

I said,

C Am

"That's the blueprint left by the coal.

Am G C/G Am

A little more and I'd been dead.

Am G C G C

Well, I love the rumble and I love the dark.

G C G C

I love the cool of the shade,

C/G Am C/G

And it's on down the new road, lookin for a job.

C G Am

This travelin nook in my head. (Sometimes x2)

Interlude: Intro Chords

Verse 3:

Am C/G Am

I stood for the union and walked in the line

C/G Am

And fought against the company.

Am C/G Am

I stood for the U. M. W. of A.

F C Am

Now, whos gonna stand by me?

C G C G

I've got no house and I got no job,

G C/G G

Just got a worried soul

F C/G Am

And a blue tattoo on the side of my head

F C/G Am

Left by the number nine coal.

F C/G Am

Left by the number nine coal.

Verse 4:

Am C/G Am

Some day when I'm dead and gone

G C Am

To heaven, the land of my dreams.

Am C Am

I wont have to worry on losin my job,

C G Am

On bad times and big machines.

C G Am

I ain't gonna pay my money away

G C G

On dues or hospital plans.

C Am C

I'm gonna cut coal where the blue heavens roll

F G Am

And sing with the angel band.

F G Am

And sing with the angel band.

Outro:

F G Am

And sing with the angel band.

F G Am

And sing with the angel band.

About Coal Tattoo Chords by Chuck Ragan

Learn how to play Coal Tattoo by Chuck Ragan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Coal Tattoo chords”, “Coal Tattoo guitar chords”, or “Chuck Ragan Coal Tattoo 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 Coal Tattoo chords and for experienced players who want accurate Coal Tattoo lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, C, G, C/G, F, A.

FAQ — Coal Tattoo by Chuck Ragan

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What key is "Coal Tattoo" in?

The chords for "Coal Tattoo" show the original chord names (including Am, C, G, C/G, F, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.