Holy Irons
View chords used in this chart
G B7 Em C
brother on brother lying on the fields
G Em C9 G
only the devil is keepin’ score
G B7 Em C
your blonde haired boys are scattered long these hills
G Em C G
picked clean like cotton in a rich man’s war
G B7 Em C
lay down your holy irons
G Em C9 G
lay down your guns and shining bayonets
G B7 Em C
lay down your holy irons
G Em C9 G
it’s gonna’ be a job to raise the dead
G B7 Em C
got no mansion on the yonder mount
G Em C9 G
no plantation pillars all in white
G B7 Em C
just a southern boy behind a plough
G Em C9 G
swept up like nothin’ in a poor man’s fight
G B7 Em C
lay down your holy irons
G Em C9 G
lay down your guns and shining bayonets
G B7 Em C
lay down your holy irons
G Em C9 G
it’s gonna’ be a job to raise the dead
D D8 - D D7º F7º
farewell cordelia let me hold ya close
Em G C
so i can remember how it feels
D D8 - D D7º F7º
if a bullet brings me down before i make it home
Em G C
ya know that i’ll be dreamin’ of you still
A9
yes i will…
G B7 Em C - G Em C G
G B7 Em C
little soldiers all in blue and grey
G Em C9 G
every one of us a’ bleedin’ red
G B7 Em C
and when this broken body falls away
G Em C9 G
we’ll all lie down in the same earthen bed
G B7 Em C
lay down your holy irons
G Em C9 G
lay down your guns and shining bayonets
G B7 Em C
lay down your holy irons
G Em C9 G
it’s gonna’ be a job to raise the dead
How to play Holy Irons
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is G. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.