Shanty Mans Life
View chords used in this chart
Capo 6
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
How to play Shanty Mans Life
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 Am. 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.