Country,Folk

Nose to the Grindstone Chords

Tyler Childers Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 2 min read

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Nose to the Grindstone Chords – Guitar

Tyler Childers’ relentless working-class anthem about keeping your head down and pushing through. The driving rhythm mirrors the grind the lyrics describe.

Driving Country (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strumming steady and relentless — the rhythm should feel like hard work. This isn’t a delicate song; give it energy.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Four open chords

You need G, C, D, and Em. Simple open chords that let you focus on the rhythm.

2

Driving verse rhythm

The verse uses G-C-G-D in a steady, driving pattern. Think of a train rolling down the tracks.

3

Chorus energy

The chorus keeps the same energy with Em-C-G-D. Don’t let up on the strumming intensity.

4

Flatpicking option

For a more authentic sound, try flatpicking the melody notes between chord changes, Appalachian style.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D

Working hard every day

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And working my life away

Verse 2

G C G

I been running around this old coal town

G D

Getting up before the sun

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And not having any fun

Chorus

Em C

Lord it’s hard living down on your luck

G D

When your dollar ain’t worth a dime

Em C

I’ve been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

Since I was a young boy

Practice tip: Listen to the album version on Purgatory to catch the intensity. Tyler Childers plays with conviction — match that energy with a strong, steady strum.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Nose to the Grindstone Chords – Ukulele

Tyler Childers’ relentless working-class anthem about keeping your head down and pushing through. The driving rhythm mirrors the grind the lyrics describe.

Driving Country (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strumming steady and relentless — the rhythm should feel like hard work. This isn’t a delicate song; give it energy.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Four open chords

You need G, C, D, and Em. Simple open chords that let you focus on the rhythm.

2

Driving verse rhythm

The verse uses G-C-G-D in a steady, driving pattern. Think of a train rolling down the tracks.

3

Chorus energy

The chorus keeps the same energy with Em-C-G-D. Don’t let up on the strumming intensity.

4

Flatpicking option

For a more authentic sound, try flatpicking the melody notes between chord changes, Appalachian style.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D

Working hard every day

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And working my life away

Verse 2

G C G

I been running around this old coal town

G D

Getting up before the sun

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And not having any fun

Chorus

Em C

Lord it’s hard living down on your luck

G D

When your dollar ain’t worth a dime

Em C

I’ve been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

Since I was a young boy

Practice tip: Listen to the album version on Purgatory to catch the intensity. Tyler Childers plays with conviction — match that energy with a strong, steady strum.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Nose to the Grindstone Chords – Piano

Tyler Childers’ relentless working-class anthem about keeping your head down and pushing through. The driving rhythm mirrors the grind the lyrics describe.

Driving Country (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strumming steady and relentless — the rhythm should feel like hard work. This isn’t a delicate song; give it energy.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Four open chords

You need G, C, D, and Em. Simple open chords that let you focus on the rhythm.

2

Driving verse rhythm

The verse uses G-C-G-D in a steady, driving pattern. Think of a train rolling down the tracks.

3

Chorus energy

The chorus keeps the same energy with Em-C-G-D. Don’t let up on the strumming intensity.

4

Flatpicking option

For a more authentic sound, try flatpicking the melody notes between chord changes, Appalachian style.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D

Working hard every day

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And working my life away

Verse 2

G C G

I been running around this old coal town

G D

Getting up before the sun

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And not having any fun

Chorus

Em C

Lord it’s hard living down on your luck

G D

When your dollar ain’t worth a dime

Em C

I’ve been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

Since I was a young boy

Practice tip: Listen to the album version on Purgatory to catch the intensity. Tyler Childers plays with conviction — match that energy with a strong, steady strum.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Nose to the Grindstone Chords – Banjo

Tyler Childers’ relentless working-class anthem about keeping your head down and pushing through. The driving rhythm mirrors the grind the lyrics describe.

Driving Country (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strumming steady and relentless — the rhythm should feel like hard work. This isn’t a delicate song; give it energy.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Four open chords

You need G, C, D, and Em. Simple open chords that let you focus on the rhythm.

2

Driving verse rhythm

The verse uses G-C-G-D in a steady, driving pattern. Think of a train rolling down the tracks.

3

Chorus energy

The chorus keeps the same energy with Em-C-G-D. Don’t let up on the strumming intensity.

4

Flatpicking option

For a more authentic sound, try flatpicking the melody notes between chord changes, Appalachian style.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D

Working hard every day

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And working my life away

Verse 2

G C G

I been running around this old coal town

G D

Getting up before the sun

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And not having any fun

Chorus

Em C

Lord it’s hard living down on your luck

G D

When your dollar ain’t worth a dime

Em C

I’ve been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

Since I was a young boy

Practice tip: Listen to the album version on Purgatory to catch the intensity. Tyler Childers plays with conviction — match that energy with a strong, steady strum.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Nose to the Grindstone Chords – Mandolin

Tyler Childers’ relentless working-class anthem about keeping your head down and pushing through. The driving rhythm mirrors the grind the lyrics describe.

Driving Country (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strumming steady and relentless — the rhythm should feel like hard work. This isn’t a delicate song; give it energy.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Four open chords

You need G, C, D, and Em. Simple open chords that let you focus on the rhythm.

2

Driving verse rhythm

The verse uses G-C-G-D in a steady, driving pattern. Think of a train rolling down the tracks.

3

Chorus energy

The chorus keeps the same energy with Em-C-G-D. Don’t let up on the strumming intensity.

4

Flatpicking option

For a more authentic sound, try flatpicking the melody notes between chord changes, Appalachian style.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D

Working hard every day

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And working my life away

Verse 2

G C G

I been running around this old coal town

G D

Getting up before the sun

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And not having any fun

Chorus

Em C

Lord it’s hard living down on your luck

G D

When your dollar ain’t worth a dime

Em C

I’ve been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

Since I was a young boy

Practice tip: Listen to the album version on Purgatory to catch the intensity. Tyler Childers plays with conviction — match that energy with a strong, steady strum.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Nose to the Grindstone Chords – Harmonica

Tyler Childers’ relentless working-class anthem about keeping your head down and pushing through. The driving rhythm mirrors the grind the lyrics describe.

Driving Country (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strumming steady and relentless — the rhythm should feel like hard work. This isn’t a delicate song; give it energy.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Four open chords

You need G, C, D, and Em. Simple open chords that let you focus on the rhythm.

2

Driving verse rhythm

The verse uses G-C-G-D in a steady, driving pattern. Think of a train rolling down the tracks.

3

Chorus energy

The chorus keeps the same energy with Em-C-G-D. Don’t let up on the strumming intensity.

4

Flatpicking option

For a more authentic sound, try flatpicking the melody notes between chord changes, Appalachian style.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D

Working hard every day

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And working my life away

Verse 2

G C G

I been running around this old coal town

G D

Getting up before the sun

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And not having any fun

Chorus

Em C

Lord it’s hard living down on your luck

G D

When your dollar ain’t worth a dime

Em C

I’ve been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

Since I was a young boy

Practice tip: Listen to the album version on Purgatory to catch the intensity. Tyler Childers plays with conviction — match that energy with a strong, steady strum.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Nose to the Grindstone Chords – Violin

Tyler Childers’ relentless working-class anthem about keeping your head down and pushing through. The driving rhythm mirrors the grind the lyrics describe.

Driving Country (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strumming steady and relentless — the rhythm should feel like hard work. This isn’t a delicate song; give it energy.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Four open chords

You need G, C, D, and Em. Simple open chords that let you focus on the rhythm.

2

Driving verse rhythm

The verse uses G-C-G-D in a steady, driving pattern. Think of a train rolling down the tracks.

3

Chorus energy

The chorus keeps the same energy with Em-C-G-D. Don’t let up on the strumming intensity.

4

Flatpicking option

For a more authentic sound, try flatpicking the melody notes between chord changes, Appalachian style.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D

Working hard every day

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And working my life away

Verse 2

G C G

I been running around this old coal town

G D

Getting up before the sun

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And not having any fun

Chorus

Em C

Lord it’s hard living down on your luck

G D

When your dollar ain’t worth a dime

Em C

I’ve been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

Since I was a young boy

Practice tip: Listen to the album version on Purgatory to catch the intensity. Tyler Childers plays with conviction — match that energy with a strong, steady strum.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Range

Varies by singer

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Nose to the Grindstone Chords – Vocal

Tyler Childers’ relentless working-class anthem about keeping your head down and pushing through. The driving rhythm mirrors the grind the lyrics describe.

Driving Country (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strumming steady and relentless — the rhythm should feel like hard work. This isn’t a delicate song; give it energy.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Four open chords

You need G, C, D, and Em. Simple open chords that let you focus on the rhythm.

2

Driving verse rhythm

The verse uses G-C-G-D in a steady, driving pattern. Think of a train rolling down the tracks.

3

Chorus energy

The chorus keeps the same energy with Em-C-G-D. Don’t let up on the strumming intensity.

4

Flatpicking option

For a more authentic sound, try flatpicking the melody notes between chord changes, Appalachian style.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D

Working hard every day

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And working my life away

Verse 2

G C G

I been running around this old coal town

G D

Getting up before the sun

G C G

I been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

And not having any fun

Chorus

Em C

Lord it’s hard living down on your luck

G D

When your dollar ain’t worth a dime

Em C

I’ve been putting my nose to the grindstone

G D G

Since I was a young boy

Practice tip: Listen to the album version on Purgatory to catch the intensity. Tyler Childers plays with conviction — match that energy with a strong, steady strum.