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Dirty Old Town

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Step 1 / 22Position: 2
1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO open
***Dirty Old Town - by Ewan McColl
from the album "Rum Sodomy & The Lash"
as performed by The Pogues
(Shuffle feel, very open and loose)
[Intro]
e|-------D----------------5-G7--5-------D---------Em----Bm--|
B|---3-5-7--3-5-7-3----7--------7-5-3-7----3-7-5---3-|
G|-2----------------2--------------------2-----------|
D|---------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
[Verse]
I met my lGove, by the gas works wall
Dreamed a dCream, by the old cGanal
I kissed my girl, by the factory wall
Dirty old tDown, dirty old tEmown
Clouds are dGrifting across the moon
Cats are pCrowling on their bGeats
Springs a girl from the streets at night
Dirty old Dtown, dirty old Emtown
[Bridge]
C C C C F F C C C C C C G G Am
[Verse]
I heard a Gsiren from the dock
Saw a Ctrain set the night on Gfire
I smelled the spring on the smokey wind
Dirty old tDown, dirty old Emtown
I'm going to Gmake me a big sharp axe
Shining sCteel tempered in the Gfire
I'll chop you down like an old dead tree
Dirty old Dtown, dirty old Emtown
[Refrain]
I met my Glove, by the gas works wall
Dreamed a Cdream, by the old cGanal
I kissed my girl, by the factory wall
Dirty old tDown, dirty old tEmown
Dirty old tDown, dirty old tEmown
All chords in this song (7)

The story behind the song

This song paints a picture of a specific industrial town, capturing the essence of a place where the gasworks and old canal are familiar landmarks. It was originally written for a play set in a North of England industrial town, and its lyrics reflect a journey from youthful hope to the grit and frustration of life there. The song’s power lies in its ability to evoke both a dreamy optimism and a sense of anger, tracing a trajectory of emotions tied to its urban landscape. Playing it means channeling a connection to a place that is both cherished and challenging.

AI-written from these sources:Dirty Old Town — Wikipedia ↗The Pogues — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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About Dirty Old Town Chords by The Pogues

Learn how to play Dirty Old Town by The Pogues with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Dirty Old Town chords”, “Dirty Old Town guitar chords”, or “The Pogues Dirty Old Town 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 Dirty Old Town chords and for experienced players who want accurate Dirty Old Town lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, Em, Bm, B, A.

FAQ — Dirty Old Town by The Pogues

How do I play "Dirty Old Town" by The Pogues on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Dirty Old Town" by The Pogues 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 "Dirty Old Town" by The Pogues free?

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Can I transpose "Dirty Old Town" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Dirty Old Town"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Dirty Old Town" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Dirty Old Town" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Dirty Old Town" by The Pogues with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Pogues below.

What key is "Dirty Old Town" in?

The chords for "Dirty Old Town" show the original chord names (including D, G, Em, Bm, B, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.