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The Farm Auction

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This song was written by Enoch Kent who gave it to Garnet Rogers after hearing Garnet and Doug MacArthur 
perform a song called ‘Break the Law’ which protested the increasing practise of bank foreclosures of small, 
family farms.  
‘The Farm Auction’ is available on Garnet’s album ‘The Outside Track’.
I learned this from the album, back in the day, and can’t swear as to whether or not my interpretation is in 
the same key as the original or if the chords are the same as the original.  I’ve heard a more recent version
done by Mr. Kent and it is essentially the same although the ordering of the lyrics differs slightly.
THE FARM AUCTION
VERSE 1.
DA rusting tractor, A7on the hill, the Gfence post with the Dposted bill
That Gsaid the sale was Don until A7everything was sold.
DBone and silver A7napkin rings, Gelastic bands ‘round Dspoons and things,
GTiny fingers Dheld the strings of that A7fiddle in the case.
CHORUS:
The Gauctioneer comes Dhere today, Gprivacy is Don display,
The Ghighest bidder Dtakes away, but A7they can’t take it all.
VERSE 2.
DCoffee pots we A7never used, Gsilver frames a Dlittle bruised
GAround the portraits Dthat amused us in the A7parlor and the hall.
DFireglow with A7favorite songs, and Glaughter are the Dthings among
GThe memories, that Dstill belong A7in those empty rooms.
CHORUS:
The Gauctioneer comes Dhere today, Gprivacy is Don display,
The Ghighest bidder Dtakes away, but A7they can’t take it all.
VERSE 3.
DA jar of nails, a A7box of tacks, the Gdining chairs with Dwicker backs,
Are Gin the garden, Dpiled in stacks, being A7spotted by the rain,
ReDmember when the A7lights were low, we had Gpies, balloons, and Dmistletoe.
The Gmorning sunlight Don the snow, who A7will buy a broken sleigh?
CHORUS:
The Gauctioneer comes Dhere today, Gprivacy is Don display,
The Ghighest bidder Dtakes away, but A7they can’t take it all.
VERSE 4.
DThe auctioneer comes A7here today, cars Gline the street, Dblack and grey,
While Gchildren watch the Dodd display, and A7others touch the lots
That are Dnumbered with the A7coloured tags, Gbooks and clothing Dsold in bags,
GBought for learning, Dbought for rags, and A7everything must go.
CHORUS:
The Gauctioneer comes Dhere today, Gprivacy is Don display,
The Ghighest bidder Dtakes away, but A7they can’t take it all.

All chords in this song (3)

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The Farm Auction

by Garnet Rogers

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

This song was written by Enoch Kent who gave it to Garnet Rogers after hearing Garnet and Doug MacArthur

perform a song called ‘Break the Law’ which protested the increasing practise of bank foreclosures of small,

family farms.

‘The Farm Auction’ is available on Garnet’s album ‘The Outside Track’.

I learned this from the album, back in the day, and can’t swear as to whether or not my interpretation is in

the same key as the original or if the chords are the same as the original. I’ve heard a more recent version

done by Mr. Kent and it is essentially the same although the ordering of the lyrics differs slightly.

THE FARM AUCTION

VERSE 1.

D A7 G D

A rusting tractor, on the hill, the fence post with the posted bill

G D A7

That said the sale was on until everything was sold.

D A7 G D

Bone and silver napkin rings, elastic bands ‘round spoons and things,

G D A7

Tiny fingers held the strings of that fiddle in the case.

CHORUS:

G D G D

The auctioneer comes here today, privacy is on display,

G D A7

The highest bidder takes away, but they can’t take it all.

VERSE 2.

D A7 G D

Coffee pots we never used, silver frames a little bruised

G D A7

Around the portraits that amused us in the parlor and the hall.

D A7 G D

Fireglow with favorite songs, and laughter are the things among

G D A7

The memories, that still belong in those empty rooms.

CHORUS:

G D G D

The auctioneer comes here today, privacy is on display,

G D A7

The highest bidder takes away, but they can’t take it all.

VERSE 3.

D A7 G D

A jar of nails, a box of tacks, the dining chairs with wicker backs,

G D A7

Are in the garden, piled in stacks, being spotted by the rain,

D A7 G D

Remember when the lights were low, we had pies, balloons, and mistletoe.

G D A7

The morning sunlight on the snow, who will buy a broken sleigh?

CHORUS:

G D G D

The auctioneer comes here today, privacy is on display,

G D A7

The highest bidder takes away, but they can’t take it all.

VERSE 4.

D A7 G D

The auctioneer comes here today, cars line the street, black and grey,

G D A7

While children watch the odd display, and others touch the lots

D A7 G D

That are numbered with the coloured tags, books and clothing sold in bags,

G D A7

Bought for learning, bought for rags, and everything must go.

CHORUS:

G D G D

The auctioneer comes here today, privacy is on display,

G D A7

The highest bidder takes away, but they can’t take it all.

About The Farm Auction Chords by Garnet Rogers

Learn how to play The Farm Auction by Garnet Rogers with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Farm Auction chords”, “The Farm Auction guitar chords”, or “Garnet Rogers The Farm Auction 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 The Farm Auction chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Farm Auction lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, A7, G, A.

FAQ — The Farm Auction by Garnet Rogers

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What key is "The Farm Auction" in?

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