Folk, Country

Rock Salt and Nails Chords

Utah Phillips Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 4 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Rock Salt and Nails Chords – Guitar

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Rock Salt and Nails"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Rock Salt and Nails" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Rock Salt and Nails" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Rock Salt and Nails"?

It was written by Bruce "Utah" Phillips, and released in 1969.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Rock Salt and Nails Chords – Ukulele

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Rock Salt and Nails"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Rock Salt and Nails" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Rock Salt and Nails" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Rock Salt and Nails"?

It was written by Bruce "Utah" Phillips, and released in 1969.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Rock Salt and Nails Chords – Piano

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Rock Salt and Nails"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Rock Salt and Nails" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Rock Salt and Nails" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Rock Salt and Nails"?

It was written by Bruce "Utah" Phillips, and released in 1969.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Rock Salt and Nails Chords – Banjo

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Rock Salt and Nails"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Rock Salt and Nails" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Rock Salt and Nails" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Rock Salt and Nails"?

It was written by Bruce "Utah" Phillips, and released in 1969.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Rock Salt and Nails Chords – Mandolin

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Rock Salt and Nails"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Rock Salt and Nails" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Rock Salt and Nails" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Rock Salt and Nails"?

It was written by Bruce "Utah" Phillips, and released in 1969.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Rock Salt and Nails Chords – Harmonica

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Rock Salt and Nails"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Rock Salt and Nails" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Rock Salt and Nails" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Rock Salt and Nails"?

It was written by Bruce "Utah" Phillips, and released in 1969.