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Automation Song

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Eminor

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Automation Song
By Phil Ochs
Oh I Glaid B7down your EmrailrAm7oads, D7every mile of Gtrack.
With the muscles B7on my Emarm Am7and the D7sweat upon my Gback.
G7And Cnow the trains are Grolling, they Croll to every Gshore
You Ctell me that my Gjob is through, there A7ain't no work no Dmore.
Though I Glaid B7down your EmhigAm7hways D7all across thGe land.
With the ringing B7of the Emsteel Am7and the D7power of my Ghands.
G7And Cnow the Groads are there like Cribbons in the Gsky,
You Ctell me that my Gjob is through but A7still I wonder Dwhy.
For the Emwages were low and the Bmhours were long
And the Emlabour was all I could D7bear.
Now you've Emgot new machines for to Bmtake my place
And you Am7tell me it's not mine to D7share.
Though I Glaid B7down your EmfactAm7ories and D7laid down your Gfields,
With my feet B7on the Emground Am7and my D7back to your Gwheels.
G7And Cnow the smoke is Grising, the Csteel is all a-Gglow,
I'm Cwalking down a Gjobless road and D7where am I to Ggo.
(repeat)
EmTell me, Amwhere am D7I to Ggo.
Notes:
Chords supplied by James Barnett

All chords in this song (11)

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Automation Song

by Phil Ochs

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Am7

Automation Song

By Phil Ochs

G B7 Em Am7 D7 G

Oh I laid down your railroads, every mile of track.

B7 Em Am7 D7 G

With the muscles on my arm and the sweat upon my back.

G7 C G C G

And now the trains are rolling, they roll to every shore

C G A7 D

You tell me that my job is through, there ain't no work no more.

G B7 Em Am7 D7 G

Though I laid down your highways all across the land.

B7 Em Am7 D7 G

With the ringing of the steel and the power of my hands.

G7 C G C G

And now the roads are there like ribbons in the sky,

C G A7 D

You tell me that my job is through but still I wonder why.

Em Bm

For the wages were low and the hours were long

Em D7

And the labour was all I could bear.

Em Bm

Now you've got new machines for to take my place

Am7 D7

And you tell me it's not mine to share.

G B7 Em Am7 D7 G

Though I laid down your factories and laid down your fields,

B7 Em Am7 D7 G

With my feet on the ground and my back to your wheels.

G7 C G C G

And now the smoke is rising, the steel is all a-glow,

C G D7 G

I'm walking down a jobless road and where am I to go.

(repeat)

Em Am D7 G

Tell me, where am I to go.

Notes:

Chords supplied by James Barnett

About Automation Song Chords by Phil Ochs

Learn how to play Automation Song by Phil Ochs with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Automation Song chords”, “Automation Song guitar chords”, or “Phil Ochs Automation Song 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 Automation Song chords and for experienced players who want accurate Automation Song lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, B7, Em, Am7, D7, G7.

FAQ — Automation Song by Phil Ochs

How do I play "Automation Song" by Phil Ochs on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Automation Song" to a different key?

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

Is "Automation Song" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Automation Song" by Phil Ochs with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Phil Ochs below.

What key is "Automation Song" in?

The chords for "Automation Song" show the original chord names (including G, B7, Em, Am7, D7, G7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.