Etap to play
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Intermediate
Capo
None
Chords
E · G · D · Em
War Pigs Chords – Guitar
Black Sabbath’s anti-war anthem from their 1970 album “Paranoid”. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.
Heavy Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↓↓↓↓
123456
Tip: Use heavy downstrokes and palm muting for the main riff; the tempo is slow and deliberate.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Intro Riff
(Play main riff)
Verse 1
E
Generals gathered in their masses
A
Just like witches at black masses
E
Evil minds that plot destruction
A
Sorcerers of death’s construction
E
In the fields the bodies burning
A
As the war machine keeps turning
E
Death and hatred to mankind
A
Poisoning their brainwashed minds… Oh lord yeah!
Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Verse 2
E
Time will tell on their power minds
A
Making war just for fun
E
Treating people just like pawns in chess
A
Wait ’til their judgment day comes
E
Now in darkness, world stops turning
A
Ashes where the bodies burned
E
No more war pigs have the power
A
Hand of God has struck the hour
Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Bridge / Solo Section
E
Yeah!
(Lead guitar solo over E, A, G, D, A, E progression)
Verse 3 / Outro
E
Now the day is dawning
A E
Creatures crawling, slithering
A E
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings
A E
Oh lord yeah!
Final Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Outro
E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
E
Yeah!
Practice tip: Master the main E-A riff and the chord changes to G and D before adding the vocals; the power of this song comes from locking in the slow, heavy groove with the bass and drums.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "War Pigs"?
You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: E, G, D and Em.
Is "War Pigs" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "War Pigs" in?
It is in the key of E.
Who wrote "War Pigs"?
It was written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne, and released in 1970.
Etap to play
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
E · G · D · Em
War Pigs Chords – Ukulele
Black Sabbath’s anti-war anthem from their 1970 album “Paranoid”. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.
Heavy Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↓↓↓↓
123456
Tip: Use heavy downstrokes and palm muting for the main riff; the tempo is slow and deliberate.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Intro Riff
(Play main riff)
Verse 1
E
Generals gathered in their masses
A
Just like witches at black masses
E
Evil minds that plot destruction
A
Sorcerers of death’s construction
E
In the fields the bodies burning
A
As the war machine keeps turning
E
Death and hatred to mankind
A
Poisoning their brainwashed minds… Oh lord yeah!
Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Verse 2
E
Time will tell on their power minds
A
Making war just for fun
E
Treating people just like pawns in chess
A
Wait ’til their judgment day comes
E
Now in darkness, world stops turning
A
Ashes where the bodies burned
E
No more war pigs have the power
A
Hand of God has struck the hour
Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Bridge / Solo Section
E
Yeah!
(Lead guitar solo over E, A, G, D, A, E progression)
Verse 3 / Outro
E
Now the day is dawning
A E
Creatures crawling, slithering
A E
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings
A E
Oh lord yeah!
Final Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Outro
E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
E
Yeah!
Practice tip: Master the main E-A riff and the chord changes to G and D before adding the vocals; the power of this song comes from locking in the slow, heavy groove with the bass and drums.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "War Pigs"?
You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: E, G, D and Em.
Is "War Pigs" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "War Pigs" in?
It is in the key of E.
Who wrote "War Pigs"?
It was written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne, and released in 1970.
Etap to play
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Intermediate
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
E · G · D · Em
War Pigs Chords – Piano
Black Sabbath’s anti-war anthem from their 1970 album “Paranoid”. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.
Heavy Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↓↓↓↓
123456
Tip: Use heavy downstrokes and palm muting for the main riff; the tempo is slow and deliberate.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Intro Riff
(Play main riff)
Verse 1
E
Generals gathered in their masses
A
Just like witches at black masses
E
Evil minds that plot destruction
A
Sorcerers of death’s construction
E
In the fields the bodies burning
A
As the war machine keeps turning
E
Death and hatred to mankind
A
Poisoning their brainwashed minds… Oh lord yeah!
Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Verse 2
E
Time will tell on their power minds
A
Making war just for fun
E
Treating people just like pawns in chess
A
Wait ’til their judgment day comes
E
Now in darkness, world stops turning
A
Ashes where the bodies burned
E
No more war pigs have the power
A
Hand of God has struck the hour
Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Bridge / Solo Section
E
Yeah!
(Lead guitar solo over E, A, G, D, A, E progression)
Verse 3 / Outro
E
Now the day is dawning
A E
Creatures crawling, slithering
A E
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings
A E
Oh lord yeah!
Final Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Outro
E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
E
Yeah!
Practice tip: Master the main E-A riff and the chord changes to G and D before adding the vocals; the power of this song comes from locking in the slow, heavy groove with the bass and drums.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "War Pigs"?
You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: E, G, D and Em.
Is "War Pigs" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "War Pigs" in?
It is in the key of E.
Who wrote "War Pigs"?
It was written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne, and released in 1970.
Etap to play
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
E · G · D · Em
War Pigs Chords – Banjo
Black Sabbath’s anti-war anthem from their 1970 album “Paranoid”. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.
Heavy Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↓↓↓↓
123456
Tip: Use heavy downstrokes and palm muting for the main riff; the tempo is slow and deliberate.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Intro Riff
(Play main riff)
Verse 1
E
Generals gathered in their masses
A
Just like witches at black masses
E
Evil minds that plot destruction
A
Sorcerers of death’s construction
E
In the fields the bodies burning
A
As the war machine keeps turning
E
Death and hatred to mankind
A
Poisoning their brainwashed minds… Oh lord yeah!
Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Verse 2
E
Time will tell on their power minds
A
Making war just for fun
E
Treating people just like pawns in chess
A
Wait ’til their judgment day comes
E
Now in darkness, world stops turning
A
Ashes where the bodies burned
E
No more war pigs have the power
A
Hand of God has struck the hour
Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Bridge / Solo Section
E
Yeah!
(Lead guitar solo over E, A, G, D, A, E progression)
Verse 3 / Outro
E
Now the day is dawning
A E
Creatures crawling, slithering
A E
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings
A E
Oh lord yeah!
Final Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Outro
E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
E
Yeah!
Practice tip: Master the main E-A riff and the chord changes to G and D before adding the vocals; the power of this song comes from locking in the slow, heavy groove with the bass and drums.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "War Pigs"?
You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: E, G, D and Em.
Is "War Pigs" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "War Pigs" in?
It is in the key of E.
Who wrote "War Pigs"?
It was written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne, and released in 1970.
Etap to play
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
E · G · D · Em
War Pigs Chords – Mandolin
Black Sabbath’s anti-war anthem from their 1970 album “Paranoid”. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.
Heavy Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↓↓↓↓
123456
Tip: Use heavy downstrokes and palm muting for the main riff; the tempo is slow and deliberate.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Intro Riff
(Play main riff)
Verse 1
E
Generals gathered in their masses
A
Just like witches at black masses
E
Evil minds that plot destruction
A
Sorcerers of death’s construction
E
In the fields the bodies burning
A
As the war machine keeps turning
E
Death and hatred to mankind
A
Poisoning their brainwashed minds… Oh lord yeah!
Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Verse 2
E
Time will tell on their power minds
A
Making war just for fun
E
Treating people just like pawns in chess
A
Wait ’til their judgment day comes
E
Now in darkness, world stops turning
A
Ashes where the bodies burned
E
No more war pigs have the power
A
Hand of God has struck the hour
Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Bridge / Solo Section
E
Yeah!
(Lead guitar solo over E, A, G, D, A, E progression)
Verse 3 / Outro
E
Now the day is dawning
A E
Creatures crawling, slithering
A E
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings
A E
Oh lord yeah!
Final Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Outro
E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
E
Yeah!
Practice tip: Master the main E-A riff and the chord changes to G and D before adding the vocals; the power of this song comes from locking in the slow, heavy groove with the bass and drums.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "War Pigs"?
You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: E, G, D and Em.
Is "War Pigs" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "War Pigs" in?
It is in the key of E.
Who wrote "War Pigs"?
It was written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne, and released in 1970.
Etap to play
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Intermediate
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
E · G · D · Em
War Pigs Chords – Harmonica
Black Sabbath’s anti-war anthem from their 1970 album “Paranoid”. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.
Heavy Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↓↓↓↓
123456
Tip: Use heavy downstrokes and palm muting for the main riff; the tempo is slow and deliberate.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Intro Riff
(Play main riff)
Verse 1
E
Generals gathered in their masses
A
Just like witches at black masses
E
Evil minds that plot destruction
A
Sorcerers of death’s construction
E
In the fields the bodies burning
A
As the war machine keeps turning
E
Death and hatred to mankind
A
Poisoning their brainwashed minds… Oh lord yeah!
Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Verse 2
E
Time will tell on their power minds
A
Making war just for fun
E
Treating people just like pawns in chess
A
Wait ’til their judgment day comes
E
Now in darkness, world stops turning
A
Ashes where the bodies burned
E
No more war pigs have the power
A
Hand of God has struck the hour
Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Bridge / Solo Section
E
Yeah!
(Lead guitar solo over E, A, G, D, A, E progression)
Verse 3 / Outro
E
Now the day is dawning
A E
Creatures crawling, slithering
A E
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings
A E
Oh lord yeah!
Final Chorus
G
Politicians hide themselves away
D
They only started the war
A
Why should they go out to fight?
E
They leave that role to the poor
Outro
E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
A E
Make a joke, a poor man dies
E
Yeah!
Practice tip: Master the main E-A riff and the chord changes to G and D before adding the vocals; the power of this song comes from locking in the slow, heavy groove with the bass and drums.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "War Pigs"?
You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: E, G, D and Em.
Is "War Pigs" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "War Pigs" in?
It is in the key of E.
Who wrote "War Pigs"?
It was written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne, and released in 1970.