Now playing

King Cotton

Chords

4.66 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Eminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/54

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 54Position: 5

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

[Intro]
e|-----------7-------------|----------7------------|------------------------0-|
B|-0-----------0-----------|-0----------0----------|-3----------------------0-|
G|----5-----------5-----5--|----5----------5-----5-|-2------0-h2-0----------2-|   x2
D|------ 7-----------7-----|-6-----6---------6-----|-0--h4----------4--0--2—2-|
A|-0-----------------------|-----------------------|------------------------0-|
E|-------------------------|-----------------------|--------------------------|
[Verse]
AmSee how the lint flies out Dover the moorA2lanAmd.
AmSee how the smoke to the GvallD/F#ey clinEmgs,
DSee how the slate roofs shine in the dA2rizzAmle.
AmThis is the Gvalley D/F#where EmCotton is KinA2g.Am  
AmSee how houses Dcling to the A2hillsidAme,
AmHear how the streets of cGhildD/F#ren sinEmg,
DWake to the scream of the A2factory hooterAm,
AmThis is the Gvalley D/F#where EmCotton is KinA2g.Am  
AmSee how hunger has Deaten the facA2es,Am  
AmTired flesh to the Gbones D/F#just cEmlings,
DThere's dust in the lungs and the A2bodies are twisted,Am  
AmThis is the Gvalley D/F#where EmCotton is KinA2g.Am  
AmSleep is washed from the Dbroken faA2cesAm,
AmMorning clogs on the GcobbD/F#les   rEming,
DOff to the mill, the A2weavers hurry,Am  
AmThis is the Gvalley D/F#where EmCotton is KinA2g.Am  
AmWork all day to the Dlooms' hard rA2hytAmhm,
AmScrabble and toil till your Gtired D/F#bones Emsing,
DThen you crawl back home as the A2gaslights flickerAm,
AmThis is the Gvalley D/F#where EmCotton is KinA2g.Am  
AmThis is the land where cDhildren laA2bouAmr,
AmWhere Life and Death mean the Gself sD/F#ame   tEmhing,
DWhere many must work that the A2few might prosperAm,
AmThis is the Gvalley D/F#where EmCotton is KinA2g.Am  
AmSee now the clouds flying oDver the moorlA2andAm  
AmSee how the graves to the vaGlley D/F#sides Emcling
DLook at the mills now they're A2idle and emptyAm  
AmThis is the Gvalley D/F#where Emcotton was kiA2ngAm  
[Outro]
e|-----------7-------------|----------7------------|------------------------0-|
B|-0-----------0-----------|-0----------0----------|-3----------------------0-|
G|----5-----------5-----5--|----5----------5-----5-|-2------0-h2-0----------2-|   x2
D|------ 7-----------7-----|-6-----6---------6-----|-0--h4----------4--0--2—2-|
A|-0-----------------------|-----------------------|------------------------0-|
E|-------------------------|-----------------------|--------------------------|

All chords in this song (6)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

King Cotton

by Mike Harding

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D/F#

[Intro]

e|-----------7-------------|----------7------------|------------------------0-|

B|-0-----------0-----------|-0----------0----------|-3----------------------0-|

G|----5-----------5-----5--|----5----------5-----5-|-2------0-h2-0----------2-| x2

D|------ 7-----------7-----|-6-----6---------6-----|-0--h4----------4--0--2—2-|

A|-0-----------------------|-----------------------|------------------------0-|

E|-------------------------|-----------------------|--------------------------|

[Verse]

Am D A2 Am

See how the lint flies out over the moorland.

Am G D/F# Em

See how the smoke to the valley clings,

D A2 Am

See how the slate roofs shine in the drizzle.

Am G D/F# Em A2 Am

This is the valley where Cotton is King.

Am D A2 Am

See how houses cling to the hillside,

Am G D/F# Em

Hear how the streets of children sing,

D A2 Am

Wake to the scream of the factory hooter,

Am G D/F# Em A2 Am

This is the valley where Cotton is King.

Am D A2 Am

See how hunger has eaten the faces,

Am G D/F# Em

Tired flesh to the bones just clings,

D A2 Am

There's dust in the lungs and the bodies are twisted,

Am G D/F# Em A2 Am

This is the valley where Cotton is King.

Am D A2 Am

Sleep is washed from the broken faces,

Am G D/F# Em

Morning clogs on the cobbles ring,

D A2 Am

Off to the mill, the weavers hurry,

Am G D/F# Em A2 Am

This is the valley where Cotton is King.

Am D A2 Am

Work all day to the looms' hard rhythm,

Am G D/F# Em

Scrabble and toil till your tired bones sing,

D A2 Am

Then you crawl back home as the gaslights flicker,

Am G D/F# Em A2 Am

This is the valley where Cotton is King.

Am D A2 Am

This is the land where children labour,

Am G D/F# Em

Where Life and Death mean the self same thing,

D A2 Am

Where many must work that the few might prosper,

Am G D/F# Em A2 Am

This is the valley where Cotton is King.

Am D A2 Am

See now the clouds flying over the moorland

Am G D/F# Em

See how the graves to the valley sides cling

D A2 Am

Look at the mills now they're idle and empty

Am G D/F# Em A2 Am

This is the valley where cotton was king

[Outro]

e|-----------7-------------|----------7------------|------------------------0-|

B|-0-----------0-----------|-0----------0----------|-3----------------------0-|

G|----5-----------5-----5--|----5----------5-----5-|-2------0-h2-0----------2-| x2

D|------ 7-----------7-----|-6-----6---------6-----|-0--h4----------4--0--2—2-|

A|-0-----------------------|-----------------------|------------------------0-|

E|-------------------------|-----------------------|--------------------------|

About King Cotton Chords by Mike Harding

Learn how to play King Cotton by Mike Harding with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “King Cotton chords”, “King Cotton guitar chords”, or “Mike Harding King Cotton 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 King Cotton chords and for experienced players who want accurate King Cotton lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include B, G, D, A, E, Am.

FAQ — King Cotton by Mike Harding

How do I play "King Cotton" by Mike Harding on guitar?

Open the free chords for "King Cotton" by Mike Harding 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 "King Cotton" by Mike Harding free?

Yes. The chords for "King Cotton" by Mike Harding are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "King Cotton" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "King Cotton"?

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

Is "King Cotton" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "King Cotton" by Mike Harding with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Mike Harding below.

What key is "King Cotton" in?

The chords for "King Cotton" show the original chord names (including B, G, D, A, E, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.