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John Oaks

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

INTRO:
FVERGSE:G  F  G  
JGohn OFaks is in the neighborhGood
PGrotFecting all the trGees
HGe's the mFaster of irrigatGion
AGnd he knFows what he sGees
VERSE:
GrGape fFarmers watering everywhGere
PGipes rFunning where they pleGase
JGohn sFees his laws are brokGen
TGrees drFowning where they breatheG  
VERSE:
NGow JFohn used to be a mGellow man
DrGinking CFhai and smoking wGeed
AGin't Fno one in the cGounty
EGver sFee'd whatever he sGee'd
CHORUS:
JGohn OEaks, E7  
John OEaks, E7  
John OEaks, E7  
John OEaks,E7  
VERSE:
OGld JFohn rides in his pGickup
WGith rFakes and friends in the bGack
  GWForkers he takes wGith him
TGhen he drFives them all backG  
VERSE:
GTo prFotect them from the politGicians
GUsing tFhem to get ahead G  
  GPrFeying on the peGople
TGrying to gFet inside their heGads
VERSE:
JGohn OFaks is really stGand-up
GHe wFon't take shit lying dGown
GHe cFalls it like he sGees it
AGnd he pFuts his money dGown
CHORUS:
JGohn OEaks, E7  
JGohn OEaks, E7  
JGohn OEaks, E7  
JGohn OEaks, E7  
VERSE:
OGne dFay at the demonstrGation
JGohn OFaks was standing Gup
GHe arrFived there at the locGation
GIn hFis old pickup trGuck
VERSE:
TGook a rFake in his hGand
AGnd his wForkers by his sGide
  GStFood there waiting for his tGurn
GTo spFeak and turn the tGide
VERSE:
WGhen he foFund himself surrGounded
GBy pFolice everywhGere
TGhey trFied to take his wGorkers to jail
WhGen he grFabbed one by his hGair
CHORUS:
JGohn OEaks, E7  
JGohn OEaks, E7  
JGohn OEaks, E7  
JGohn OEaks, E7  
VERSE:
  GShFots rang out and pGeople yelled
GAs the pFolice took contrGol
SGhot a blFack man right whGere he fell
WGith a snFiper on the knGoll
VERSE:
JGohn OFaks saw law and oGrder
WGas leFading him astrGay
  GTrFied to get back in his pGickup
WGith his wForkers to get awGay
VERSE:
ThGat's wFhen the police moved Gin
AGnd stFood there in his wGay
JGohn stFarted up his pGickup
AGnd tFhat was his last dGay
CHORUS:
JGohn OEaks, E7  
JGohn OEaks, E7  
JGohn OEaks, E7  
JGohn OEaks, E7  
INSTRUMENTAL/SOLO:
F G
F G
F G
FVECRSGE:
TGhey sFaid he had a pGistol
WGhen the oFld pickup backfGired
AGnd sFhot him there behind the whGeel
AGnd tFhen John Oaks expGired
VERSE:
TGhe wForkers grabbed the rGakes
AGnd that's aFll that I can sGay
TGhey wFent to the cemeteGry
AGnd they sFtay there to this dGay
CHORUS:
JGohn OEaks, E7  
John OEaks, E7  
John OEaks, E7  
John OEaks,E7  
OUTRO:
E  E7
E  E7
E  E7
E  E7
John OEaks, E7  
John OEaks, E7  
John OEaks, E7  
John OEaks,E7  

All chords in this song (5)

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John Oaks

by Neil Young

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

INTRO:

F G G F G

VERSE:

G F G

John Oaks is in the neighborhood

G F G

Protecting all the trees

G F G

He's the master of irrigation

G F G

And he knows what he sees

VERSE:

G F G

Grape farmers watering everywhere

G F G

Pipes running where they please

G F G

John sees his laws are broken

G F G

Trees drowning where they breathe

VERSE:

G F G

Now John used to be a mellow man

G F G

Drinking Chai and smoking weed

G F G

Ain't no one in the county

G F G

Ever see'd whatever he see'd

CHORUS:

G E E7

John Oaks,

E E7

John Oaks,

E E7

John Oaks,

E E7

John Oaks,

VERSE:

G F G

Old John rides in his pickup

G F G

With rakes and friends in the back

G F G

Workers he takes with him

G F G

Then he drives them all back

VERSE:

G F G

To protect them from the politicians

G F G

Using them to get ahead

G F G

Preying on the people

G F G

Trying to get inside their heads

VERSE:

G F G

John Oaks is really stand-up

G F G

He won't take shit lying down

G F G

He calls it like he sees it

G F G

And he puts his money down

CHORUS:

G E E7

John Oaks,

G E E7

John Oaks,

G E E7

John Oaks,

G E E7

John Oaks,

VERSE:

G F G

One day at the demonstration

G F G

John Oaks was standing up

G F G

He arrived there at the location

G F G

In his old pickup truck

VERSE:

G F G

Took a rake in his hand

G F G

And his workers by his side

G F G

Stood there waiting for his turn

G F G

To speak and turn the tide

VERSE:

G F G

When he found himself surrounded

G F G

By police everywhere

G F G

They tried to take his workers to jail

G F G

When he grabbed one by his hair

CHORUS:

G E E7

John Oaks,

G E E7

John Oaks,

G E E7

John Oaks,

G E E7

John Oaks,

VERSE:

G F G

Shots rang out and people yelled

G F G

As the police took control

G F G

Shot a black man right where he fell

G F G

With a sniper on the knoll

VERSE:

G F G

John Oaks saw law and order

G F G

Was leading him astray

G F G

Tried to get back in his pickup

G F G

With his workers to get away

VERSE:

G F G

That's when the police moved in

G F G

And stood there in his way

G F G

John started up his pickup

G F G

And that was his last day

CHORUS:

G E E7

John Oaks,

G E E7

John Oaks,

G E E7

John Oaks,

G E E7

John Oaks,

INSTRUMENTAL/SOLO:

F G

F C G

VERSE:

G F G

They said he had a pistol

G F G

When the old pickup backfired

G F G

And shot him there behind the wheel

G F G

And then John Oaks expired

VERSE:

G F G

The workers grabbed the rakes

G F G

And that's all that I can say

G F G

They went to the cemetery

G F G

And they stay there to this day

CHORUS:

G E E7

John Oaks,

E E7

John Oaks,

E E7

John Oaks,

E E7

John Oaks,

OUTRO:

E E7

John Oaks,

E E7

John Oaks,

E E7

John Oaks,

E E7

John Oaks,

About John Oaks Chords by Neil Young

Learn how to play John Oaks by Neil Young with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “John Oaks chords”, “John Oaks guitar chords”, or “Neil Young John Oaks 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 John Oaks chords and for experienced players who want accurate John Oaks lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F, G, E, E7, C.

FAQ — John Oaks by Neil Young

How do I play "John Oaks" by Neil Young on guitar?

Open the free chords for "John Oaks" by Neil Young 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 "John Oaks" by Neil Young free?

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

Can I transpose "John Oaks" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "John Oaks"?

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

Is "John Oaks" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "John Oaks" in?

The chords for "John Oaks" show the original chord names (including F, G, E, E7, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.