The Kings Shilling
View chords used in this chart
G6
Oh my love has left me with bairnes twa
And that's the last of him I ever saw
Em
He joined the army and marched to war
Am7
He took the shilling,
C D G
He took the shilling and he's off to war
Chorus:
G C G Am
Come, laddies, come, hear the cannon roar
G C D G
Take the king’s shilling and you’re off to war
G C G C G
Well, did he look as he marched along
C G
With his kilt and sporran and his musket gun
C G Em
The ladies tipped him as he marched along
Am7 C D G
He sailed out by, he sailed out by the Broomielaw
G C G C G
Well the pipes did play as he marched along
C G
And the soldiers sang out a battle song
C G Em
"March on, march on,” cried the captain gay
Am7 C D G
For king and country, for king and country we will fight today
(Chorus)
G C G C G
Well, the battle rattled to the sound of guns
C G
And the bayonets flashed in the morning sun
C G Em
The drums did beat and the cannon roared
Am7 C D G
And the shilling little seemed, oh the shilling didn’t seem much worth the war
G C G C G
Well, the men they fought and the men did fall
C G
Cut down by bayonet and musket ball
C G Em
Many of these brave young men
Am7 C D G
Would never fight for, would never fight for the King again
G C G Am
Come, laddies, come, hear the cannon roar
G C D G
Take the king’s shilling and you'll die in war…
G C G Am
Come, laddies, come, hear the cannon oar
G C D G
Take the king’s shilling and you'll die in war…
G C G Am
Come, laddies, come, hear the cannon roar
G C D G
Take the king’s shilling and you'll die in war…
C G
Die in war, die in war
C G
Die in war, die in war
How to play The Kings Shilling
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 G6. 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.