The Maniacs apparently play this in D, which I find impossible to sing.
This is how I play it (same changes, just transposed).
Ben
A CAMPFIRE SONG (10,000 Maniacs)
Words & music: Natalie Merchant
INTRO: G D/F# Em D C ... D G
(G) D Em C
A lie to say "Oh, my mountain has coal veins and beds to dig
G D C D
Five hundred men with axes and they all dig for me"
(same chords)
A lie to say "Oh, my river where many fish do swim
Half of your catch is mine when you haul your nets in"
C G C G D
CHORUS: Oh no, never will he believe that his greed is a blinding ray
C G C
No devil or redeemer will cheat him
G Em D (First ending: C D G)
He'll take his gold to where he's lying cold
A lie to say "Oh, my mine gave a diamond big as a fist"
But for every gem in his pocket, the jewels he has missed
A lie to say "Oh, my garden is growing taller by the day"
He only eats the best and tosses the rest away
CHORUS: end with
C D G
Six deep in the grave
SOLO: Dsus4 D Cmaj9 Dsus4
C Gmaj9 G/B C D
BRIDGE: His oldest pain and fear in life There'll not be time
(Something is out of reach, something he wanted)
C Gmaj9 G/B C D
His oldest pain and fear in life There'll not be time
(Something is out of reach, he's being taunted)
C Gmaj9 G/B C G C
Oh no, hey hey,
(Something is out of reach, that he can't beg or steal)
D G (go right into verse)
Nor can he buy
A lie to say "Oh, my forest has trees that block the sun
And when I cut them down I don't answer to anyone"
CHORUS, then repeat chorus chords with "La la la..."
Em D C D G
ENDING: Lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely man
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