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Coal Tattoo

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[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.

Coal Tattoo chords and lyrics

Free chords for Coal Tattoo by The Kingston Trio. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

[Intro]
Em   Em  Em
[Verse 1]
[Verse 2]
[Verse 3]
[Verse 4]
[Outro]

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.

Frequently asked questions about Coal Tattoo

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.