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A Shantymans Life

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OEh, a shanty-man's life is a wBearisome life, 
although C#msome think it Bvoid of C#mcare
SEwinging an ax from Bmorning till night 
in the C#mmidst of the Bforests so C#mdrear.
ELying in the shanty C#mbleak 
and cold while the Ecold stormy wintry winds C#mblow, 
And as F#soon as the C#mdaylight dF#oth apEpear, to the wC#mild woods Bwe must C#mgo.
OEh, the cook rises up in the mBiddle of the night saying, 
“Hurrah, C#mbrave boys, itB's day."C#m  
BEroken slumbers ofttBimes are passed 
as the C#mcold winter nBight whiles C#maway.
Had we rum, wine or Ebeer our spiriC#mts 
for to cheer in dayEs so lonely do dwine,C#m  
and cold while the cold stormy wintry winds blow, 
Or a glF#ass of any sC#mhone while F#in thEe woods alone C#mfor to chBeer up oC#mur troubled minds.
BEut when spring it does set inB, double hardships begin, 
when the C#mwaters are pieBrcing coC#mld,
AEnd our clothes are Bdripping wet and fingers benumbed, 
and our C#mpike-poles wBe scarcely C#mcan hold.
Betwixt rocks, shoaEls and sanC#mds 
give employment to Eall hands our well-bandeC#md raft for to steer,
and cold while the cold stormy wintry winds blow, 
And the F#rapids that C#mwe run, oF#h, theEy seem to us bC#mut fun, fBor we're C#mvoid of all slavish fear.
OEh, a shanty lad is the only lBad I love, 
and I nevC#mer will deny tBhe same.C#m  
MEy heart doth scorn Bthese conceited farmer boys 
who thiC#mnk it a disgrBaceful nameC#m.
They may boast abouEt their farms, C#m  
but my shanty-boy hEas charms so far, far suC#mrpassing them all,
Until dF#eath it doth C#mus part hF#e shalEl enjoy my heaC#mrt, let hBis richeC#ms be great or small.

All chords in this song (4)

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A Shantymans Life

by Dan Zanes

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

E B

Oh, a shanty-man's life is a wearisome life,

C#m B C#m

although some think it void of care

E B

Swinging an ax from morning till night

C#m B C#m

in the midst of the forests so drear.

E C#m

Lying in the shanty bleak

E C#m

and cold while the cold stormy wintry winds blow,

F# C#m F# E C#m B C#m

And as soon as the daylight doth appear, to the wild woods we must go.

E B

Oh, the cook rises up in the middle of the night saying,

C#m B C#m

“Hurrah, brave boys, it's day."

E B

Broken slumbers ofttimes are passed

C#m B C#m

as the cold winter night whiles away.

E C#m

Had we rum, wine or beer our spirits

E C#m

for to cheer in days so lonely do dwine,

and cold while the cold stormy wintry winds blow,

F# C#m F# E C#m B C#m

Or a glass of any shone while in the woods alone for to cheer up our troubled minds.

E B

But when spring it does set in, double hardships begin,

C#m B C#m

when the waters are piercing cold,

E B

And our clothes are dripping wet and fingers benumbed,

C#m B C#m

and our pike-poles we scarcely can hold.

E C#m

Betwixt rocks, shoals and sands

E C#m

give employment to all hands our well-banded raft for to steer,

and cold while the cold stormy wintry winds blow,

F# C#m F# E C#m B C#m

And the rapids that we run, oh, they seem to us but fun, for we're void of all slavish fear.

E B

Oh, a shanty lad is the only lad I love,

C#m B C#m

and I never will deny the same.

E B

My heart doth scorn these conceited farmer boys

C#m B C#m

who think it a disgraceful name.

E C#m

They may boast about their farms,

E C#m

but my shanty-boy has charms so far, far surpassing them all,

F# C#m F# E C#m B C#m

Until death it doth us part he shall enjoy my heart, let his riches be great or small.

About A Shantymans Life Chords by Dan Zanes

Learn how to play A Shantymans Life by Dan Zanes with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “A Shantymans Life chords”, “A Shantymans Life guitar chords”, or “Dan Zanes A Shantymans Life 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 A Shantymans Life chords and for experienced players who want accurate A Shantymans Life lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, B, C#m, F#.

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The chords for "A Shantymans Life" show the original chord names (including E, B, C#m, F#). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.