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The Work Song

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Kate & Anna McGarrigle - The Work Song
[Intro]
D7/F#  C
[Verse 1]
Back before the D7blues were blueC  
When the good ol’ D7songs were newC  
Songs that may no D7longer please usC  
‘Bout the darkies, Fabout CJesus
GMississippi minstrels, Ccolour of molasses
FStrumming on their banjos to CenterGtain their Cmassas
AmSome said garbage, Abaugothers said art
You Ccouldn’t D7call it Csoul, you D7had to Gcall it CheartF  C  F  C  
[Chorus]
Oh, Gbacks broke bending, digging Choles to plant the seeds
The Fowners ate the cane and the Cworkers Gate the Cweeds
Put the Gwood in the stove and Cwater in the cup
You Fworked so hard that you Cdied Gstanding CupF  C  F  C  
[Verse 2]
When I was a D7little thingC  
Papa tried to D7make me singC  
'Home Sweet Home' D7and 'Aura Lee'C  
These were songs that my Fdaddy Ctaught me
'GCamptown Races' and 'SuCsannah Don’t You Cry'
'FGentle Annie' still brings a Ctear Gto my Ceye
AmLabel it garbage, Abauglabel it art
You Ccouldn’t D7call it Csoul, you D7had to Gcall it CheartF  C  F  C  
[Chorus]
Oh, Gbacks broke bending, digging Choles to plant the seeds
The Fowners ate the cane and the Cworkers Gate the Cweeds
Put the Gwood in the stove and Cwater in the cup
You Fworked so hard that you Cdied Gstanding CupF  C  F  C  
[Verse 3]
Sing me songs of D7days gone byC  
Make me laugh and D7make me cryC  
Break my female D7heart in twoC  
Sing me songs that Fsay “I Clove you”
GLower your eyes and raise your Chand up to your breast
FSing me one about the sun Csetting Gin the Cwest
AmOoh ooh ooh,  Abaugooh ooh
C   D7   C   D7  G   C  F  C  F C
[Chorus]
Oh, Gbacks broke bending, digging Choles to plant the seeds
The Fowners ate the cane and the Cworkers Gate the Cweeds
Put the Gwood in the stove and Cwater in the cup
You Fworked so hard that you Cdied Gstanding Cup
[Chorus]
Oh, Gbacks broke bending, digging Choles to plant the seeds
The Fowners ate the cane and the Cworkers Gate the Cweeds
Put the Gwood in the stove and Cwater in the cup
You Fworked so hard that you Cdied Gstanding CupF  C  G  F  C  

All chords in this song (7)

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The Work Song

by Kate & Anna McGarrigle

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D7/F#

Abaug

Kate & Anna McGarrigle - The Work Song

[Intro]

D7/F# C

[Verse 1]

D7 C

Back before the blues were blue

D7 C

When the good ol’ songs were new

D7 C

Songs that may no longer please us

F C

‘Bout the darkies, about Jesus

G C

Mississippi minstrels, colour of molasses

F C G C

Strumming on their banjos to entertain their massas

Am Abaug

Some said garbage, others said art

C D7 C D7 G C F C F C

You couldn’t call it soul, you had to call it heart

[Chorus]

G C

Oh, backs broke bending, digging holes to plant the seeds

F C G C

The owners ate the cane and the workers ate the weeds

G C

Put the wood in the stove and water in the cup

F C G C F C F C

You worked so hard that you died standing up

[Verse 2]

D7 C

When I was a little thing

D7 C

Papa tried to make me sing

D7 C

'Home Sweet Home' and 'Aura Lee'

F C

These were songs that my daddy taught me

G C

'Camptown Races' and 'Susannah Don’t You Cry'

F C G C

'Gentle Annie' still brings a tear to my eye

Am Abaug

Label it garbage, label it art

C D7 C D7 G C F C F C

You couldn’t call it soul, you had to call it heart

[Chorus]

G C

Oh, backs broke bending, digging holes to plant the seeds

F C G C

The owners ate the cane and the workers ate the weeds

G C

Put the wood in the stove and water in the cup

F C G C F C F C

You worked so hard that you died standing up

[Verse 3]

D7 C

Sing me songs of days gone by

D7 C

Make me laugh and make me cry

D7 C

Break my female heart in two

F C

Sing me songs that say “I love you”

G C

Lower your eyes and raise your hand up to your breast

F C G C

Sing me one about the sun setting in the west

Am Abaug

Ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh

C D7 C D7 G C F C F C

[Chorus]

G C

Oh, backs broke bending, digging holes to plant the seeds

F C G C

The owners ate the cane and the workers ate the weeds

G C

Put the wood in the stove and water in the cup

F C G C

You worked so hard that you died standing up

[Chorus]

G C

Oh, backs broke bending, digging holes to plant the seeds

F C G C

The owners ate the cane and the workers ate the weeds

G C

Put the wood in the stove and water in the cup

F C G C F C G F C

You worked so hard that you died standing up

About The Work Song Chords by Kate & Anna McGarrigle

Learn how to play The Work Song by Kate & Anna McGarrigle with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Work Song chords”, “The Work Song guitar chords”, or “Kate & Anna McGarrigle The Work 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 The Work Song chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Work Song lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D7/F#, C, D7, F, G, Am.

FAQ — The Work Song by Kate & Anna McGarrigle

How do I play "The Work Song" by Kate & Anna McGarrigle on guitar?

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Is "The Work Song" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Work Song" in?

The chords for "The Work Song" show the original chord names (including D7/F#, C, D7, F, G, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.