Folk, Country

Rock Salt and Nails Chords

Utah Phillips Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 3 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

A haunting folk ballad by Utah Phillips about a man’s bitter loneliness and heartbreak. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady tempo to match the somber mood of the song.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Well, the birds are singing on the mountain tops

G D G

And the sunshine’s on the way

G C G

There’s a mist on the meadow and a mist on my heart

D G

For the one I love is far away

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Verse 2

G C

Well, the river flows on by my shack

G D G

And the wind cries through the pines

G C G

And the only friend I have now is this old guitar

D G

And a bottle of turpentine

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Verse 3

G C

Now the mail train comes but it brings me no news

G D G

And the telegraph lines are down

G C G

And the only thing I hear is the sound of the wind

D G

As it sweeps through this ghostly town

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

/verse

verse label="Verse 4"

G C

Now the nights are long and the days are so drear

G D G

And my whiskey is turning to wine

G C G

And the only thing I have left is my rock salt and nails

D G

And a bottle of turpentine

/verse

chorus label="Chorus"

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Practice tip: Focus on the chord progression G, C, D, and G, as it forms the backbone of the entire song. Practice switching between C and D smoothly.

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

A haunting folk ballad by Utah Phillips about a man’s bitter loneliness and heartbreak. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady tempo to match the somber mood of the song.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Well, the birds are singing on the mountain tops

G D G

And the sunshine’s on the way

G C G

There’s a mist on the meadow and a mist on my heart

D G

For the one I love is far away

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Verse 2

G C

Well, the river flows on by my shack

G D G

And the wind cries through the pines

G C G

And the only friend I have now is this old guitar

D G

And a bottle of turpentine

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Verse 3

G C

Now the mail train comes but it brings me no news

G D G

And the telegraph lines are down

G C G

And the only thing I hear is the sound of the wind

D G

As it sweeps through this ghostly town

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

/verse

verse label="Verse 4"

G C

Now the nights are long and the days are so drear

G D G

And my whiskey is turning to wine

G C G

And the only thing I have left is my rock salt and nails

D G

And a bottle of turpentine

/verse

chorus label="Chorus"

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Practice tip: Focus on the chord progression G, C, D, and G, as it forms the backbone of the entire song. Practice switching between C and D smoothly.

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

A haunting folk ballad by Utah Phillips about a man’s bitter loneliness and heartbreak. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady tempo to match the somber mood of the song.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Well, the birds are singing on the mountain tops

G D G

And the sunshine’s on the way

G C G

There’s a mist on the meadow and a mist on my heart

D G

For the one I love is far away

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Verse 2

G C

Well, the river flows on by my shack

G D G

And the wind cries through the pines

G C G

And the only friend I have now is this old guitar

D G

And a bottle of turpentine

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Verse 3

G C

Now the mail train comes but it brings me no news

G D G

And the telegraph lines are down

G C G

And the only thing I hear is the sound of the wind

D G

As it sweeps through this ghostly town

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

/verse

verse label="Verse 4"

G C

Now the nights are long and the days are so drear

G D G

And my whiskey is turning to wine

G C G

And the only thing I have left is my rock salt and nails

D G

And a bottle of turpentine

/verse

chorus label="Chorus"

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Practice tip: Focus on the chord progression G, C, D, and G, as it forms the backbone of the entire song. Practice switching between C and D smoothly.

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

A haunting folk ballad by Utah Phillips about a man’s bitter loneliness and heartbreak. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady tempo to match the somber mood of the song.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Well, the birds are singing on the mountain tops

G D G

And the sunshine’s on the way

G C G

There’s a mist on the meadow and a mist on my heart

D G

For the one I love is far away

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Verse 2

G C

Well, the river flows on by my shack

G D G

And the wind cries through the pines

G C G

And the only friend I have now is this old guitar

D G

And a bottle of turpentine

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Verse 3

G C

Now the mail train comes but it brings me no news

G D G

And the telegraph lines are down

G C G

And the only thing I hear is the sound of the wind

D G

As it sweeps through this ghostly town

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

/verse

verse label="Verse 4"

G C

Now the nights are long and the days are so drear

G D G

And my whiskey is turning to wine

G C G

And the only thing I have left is my rock salt and nails

D G

And a bottle of turpentine

/verse

chorus label="Chorus"

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Practice tip: Focus on the chord progression G, C, D, and G, as it forms the backbone of the entire song. Practice switching between C and D smoothly.

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

A haunting folk ballad by Utah Phillips about a man’s bitter loneliness and heartbreak. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady tempo to match the somber mood of the song.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Well, the birds are singing on the mountain tops

G D G

And the sunshine’s on the way

G C G

There’s a mist on the meadow and a mist on my heart

D G

For the one I love is far away

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Verse 2

G C

Well, the river flows on by my shack

G D G

And the wind cries through the pines

G C G

And the only friend I have now is this old guitar

D G

And a bottle of turpentine

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Verse 3

G C

Now the mail train comes but it brings me no news

G D G

And the telegraph lines are down

G C G

And the only thing I hear is the sound of the wind

D G

As it sweeps through this ghostly town

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

/verse

verse label="Verse 4"

G C

Now the nights are long and the days are so drear

G D G

And my whiskey is turning to wine

G C G

And the only thing I have left is my rock salt and nails

D G

And a bottle of turpentine

/verse

chorus label="Chorus"

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Practice tip: Focus on the chord progression G, C, D, and G, as it forms the backbone of the entire song. Practice switching between C and D smoothly.

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

A haunting folk ballad by Utah Phillips about a man’s bitter loneliness and heartbreak. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady tempo to match the somber mood of the song.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Well, the birds are singing on the mountain tops

G D G

And the sunshine’s on the way

G C G

There’s a mist on the meadow and a mist on my heart

D G

For the one I love is far away

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Verse 2

G C

Well, the river flows on by my shack

G D G

And the wind cries through the pines

G C G

And the only friend I have now is this old guitar

D G

And a bottle of turpentine

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Verse 3

G C

Now the mail train comes but it brings me no news

G D G

And the telegraph lines are down

G C G

And the only thing I hear is the sound of the wind

D G

As it sweeps through this ghostly town

Chorus

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

/verse

verse label="Verse 4"

G C

Now the nights are long and the days are so drear

G D G

And my whiskey is turning to wine

G C G

And the only thing I have left is my rock salt and nails

D G

And a bottle of turpentine

/verse

chorus label="Chorus"

C G D G

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck

C G D

I’d dive to the bottom and I’d never come up

G C G D

But the ocean ain’t whiskey and I ain’t no duck

G C D G

So I’ll play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck

Practice tip: Focus on the chord progression G, C, D, and G, as it forms the backbone of the entire song. Practice switching between C and D smoothly.