Rail Yard Ghosts
"Steel and Smoke"
From the LP: Blackgrass
Cm G
Blowin’ smoke, blowin’ smoke, Chasin’ steel, chasin’ steel
Cm G
Sometimes freedom, sometimes freedom, we must steal for it to feel real
Ab G
Waitin’ on that low hum, roll slow
Ab G
Who would pay to see how smooth it rolls?
Cm G
Breathe deep, breathe deep, Into the lungs, into the lungs
Cm G
Freedom tastes, freedom tastes, just like the sun your tongue
Ab G
Songs are sung, but wars are never won
Ab (once) G (once)
If we are one why can’t we stare down the barrel of this gun
(Tempo Increases)
Cm G
And oh these walls, some are bricks and some are alcohol
Cm G
Some of them we can’t even see at all
Ab G
Some are hate, ignorance and rage
Ab G (once)
Either way we’ve locked ourselves up in our own fucking cage
Cm / G / Cm / G / Ab / G / Ab / G
Bridge
Cm G
Play your roll, burn more coal, the whole train load full
Cm G
Gag and choke on stagnant smoke, the burning of ancient bones
Ab G
Won’t you let this monster roll across the prairies wide
Ab G (once)
Iron, steel, and diesel dreams, These mountains steal my breath but not my life
(Tempo Decreases)
Cm / G / Cm / G / Ab / G / Ab / G
Cm G
Cold winds blow, cold winds blow, Pick your car and count the bolts
Cm G
Kill the crops, Kill the crops, Dig the soul out of mountain tops
Ab G
Happiness is a cold cold gutter, air brakes scream and engines sputter
Ab G
Sister, brother, tell me where did we get lost?
