The Idiot Chords by Stan Rogers

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I often take [D] these night shift [G] walks when the foreman's not around
I turn my [D] back on the coal in stacks and make for [A] open ground
Far [G] out beyond the [D] tank farm [G] fence where the gas flare [B] makes no sound
[G] I forget the stink and I always think [Dm] back to that [D] eastern town _
I remember [A] back [B] six years ago [G] this western life I [B]
chose
And every day the [G] news would say some [Em] factory's gone to [A] close
Well I could have [A] stayed to [D] take the [G] dole but I'm not [B] one of those
I take nothing free and that [G] makes me an idiot I [D] suppose
So I bid farewell to the [G] eastern town I never more [D] will see
But work I must so I eat [Em] this dust and breathe [A] refinery
Oh I miss the green in [D] the woods and [G] streams and I don't like [B] cowboy clothes
[G] But I like being free and that makes [D] me an idiot I suppose _
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So come all you [A] fine young [D] fellers [G] who've been beaten [Bm] to the ground
This [G] western life's no [G] paradise but it's [Em] better than lying [A] down
All the streets aren't [A] clean and there's [D] nothing [G] green and the hills are [Bm] dirty brown
[G] But the government dole will rot your [D] soul back there in your hometown
So I bid farewell to the eastern town you never more will see
There's self-respect and a steady [Em] check in this [A] refinery
You [D] will miss the green in the woods and [G] streams and the dust will fill your nose
But you'll be free and just like [D] me an idiot I suppose _
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