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Coal Tattoo

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[Intro]
Em   Em  Em
[Verse 1]
EmTravelin down that cDoal town Emroad.
EmListenin to my ruDbber tires whEmine.
EmGoodbye to Buckeye and Dbright SycEmamore.
EmI'm leavin' yDou be-hEmind.
GI've been coal miner Dall of my lGife.
GLayin' down Dtrack in the CholDe.
Gotta Gback like an ironwood, Cbent by thGe wind.
GBlood veins Dblue as the Emcoal.
CBlood veins Dblue as the Emcoal.
[Verse 2]
EmSomebody said, "That's a sDtrange tattEmoo
yEmou have on the siDde of your heEmad."
EmI said,"That's the blueprint lDeft by the Emcoal.
Just a lEmittle more and ID'd been deEmad.
WellG, I love the rumble and Dlove the Gdark.
GI love the Dcool of the sClaDte,
And it's Gon down the new road, looCkin' for a jGob.
This trGavelin' Dnook in Emmy head.
[Verse 3]
EmI stood for the union  walDked in the Emline
fEmought against the coDmpanyEm.
EmI stood for the U. M. DW. of EmA.
Now, Emwhos gonna sDtand by mEme?
I've gGot no house and I Dgot no Gpay,
JGust got a wDorried CsoDul
And a Gblue tattoo on the Cside of my hGead
LGeft by the nDumber nine cEmoal.
LCeft by the nDumber nine cEmoal.
[Verse 4]
EmSome day when I Ddie and Emgo
To Emheaven, the laDnd of my dreEmams.
I wEmont have to worry 'bout lDosin my Emjob,
To bEmad times and biDg machEmines.
I aiGn't gonna pay my Dmoney Gaway
On Gdues or Dhospital pClaDns.
I'm gGonna pick coal while the Cblue heavens Groll
And sGing with the Dangels Emband.
[Outro]
I aGin't gonna pay my Dmoney Gaway
On Gdues or Dhospital pClaDns.
I'm gGonna pick coal while the Cblue heavens Groll
And sGing with the Dangels Eband.

All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

"Coal Tattoo" embodies the spirit of The Kingston Trio, an American folk and pop music group that played a significant role in the folk revival of the late 1950s and 1960s. Known for their influential sound, the trio helped alter the direction of popular music in the U.S. This song, appearing on the album Time to Think, reflects the group's signature style and their impact on the era's folk-pop boom. Playing it connects you to a foundational sound in American folk music.

AI-written from these sources:The Kingston Trio — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

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

Coal Tattoo

by The Kingston Trio

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

Em Em Em

[Verse 1]

Em D Em

Travelin down that coal town road.

Em D Em

Listenin to my rubber tires whine.

Em D Em

Goodbye to Buckeye and bright Sycamore.

Em D Em

I'm leavin' you be-hind.

G D G

I've been coal miner all of my life.

G D C D

Layin' down track in the hole.

G C G

Gotta back like an ironwood, bent by the wind.

G D Em

Blood veins blue as the coal.

C D Em

Blood veins blue as the coal.

[Verse 2]

Em D Em

Somebody said, "That's a strange tattoo

Em D Em

you have on the side of your head."

Em D Em

I said,"That's the blueprint left by the coal.

Em D Em

Just a little more and I'd been dead.

G D G

Well, I love the rumble and love the dark.

G D C D

I love the cool of the slate,

G C G

And it's on down the new road, lookin' for a job.

G D Em

This travelin' nook in my head.

[Verse 3]

Em D Em

I stood for the union walked in the line

Em D Em

fought against the company.

Em D Em

I stood for the U. M. W. of A.

Em D Em

Now, whos gonna stand by me?

G D G

I've got no house and I got no pay,

G D C D

Just got a worried soul

G C G

And a blue tattoo on the side of my head

G D Em

Left by the number nine coal.

C D Em

Left by the number nine coal.

[Verse 4]

Em D Em

Some day when I die and go

Em D Em

To heaven, the land of my dreams.

Em D Em

I wont have to worry 'bout losin my job,

Em D Em

To bad times and big machines.

G D G

I ain't gonna pay my money away

G D C D

On dues or hospital plans.

G C G

I'm gonna pick coal while the blue heavens roll

G D Em

And sing with the angels band.

[Outro]

G D G

I ain't gonna pay my money away

G D C D

On dues or hospital plans.

G C G

I'm gonna pick coal while the blue heavens roll

G D E

And sing with the angels band.

About Coal Tattoo Chords by The Kingston Trio

Learn how to play Coal Tattoo by The Kingston Trio with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Coal Tattoo chords”, “Coal Tattoo guitar chords”, or “The Kingston Trio Coal Tattoo 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 Coal Tattoo chords and for experienced players who want accurate Coal Tattoo lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, D, G, C, A, E.

FAQ — Coal Tattoo by The Kingston Trio

How do I play "Coal Tattoo" by The Kingston Trio on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Coal Tattoo" by The Kingston Trio 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 "Coal Tattoo" by The Kingston Trio free?

Yes. The chords for "Coal Tattoo" by The Kingston Trio are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Coal Tattoo" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Coal Tattoo"?

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

Is "Coal Tattoo" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Coal Tattoo" by The Kingston Trio with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Kingston Trio below.

What key is "Coal Tattoo" in?

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