Shanty Mans Life Chords
Shanty Mans Life by Dave Van Ronk is a moderately challenging guitar song played in the key of Am with a capo on the 6st fret. It uses the chords Am, G, E and F. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
Am G Am
A shanty man's life is a wearisome one
G Am
Though some say it's free from care
E Am
It's the swinging of an axe
G
From morning 'till night
Am F Am
In the forest wild and drear
Am G Am
Transported as we are from a lady so fair
G Am
To the banks of some lonely stream
E Am
Where the wolf, bear, and owl
G
Give a terrifying howl
Am F Am
And disturb our nightly dreams
Am G Am
Oh sleeping at night in our bunks without cheer
G Am
While the cold winter winds do blow
E Am
But as soon as the morning
G
Star does appear
Am F Am
To the wild woods we must go
G Am
Had we ale, wine, or beer our spirits for to cheer
G Am
When we're in those woods so wild
E Am
Where a glass of whiskey shone
G
When we're in the woods alone
Am F Am
For to pass away our long exile
G Am
A shanty man's life is a wearisome one
G Am
Though some say it's free from care
E Am
It's the swinging of an axe
G
From morning 'till night
Am F Am
In the forest wild and drear
Am F Am F Am