Swannanoa Tunnel
Public domain - full karaoke IMMHA-L006
Credit: Traditional · c. 1880s
Origin: Appalachian work song about the Swannanoa railroad tunnel; recorded by Bascom Lamar Lunsford.
Source: https://mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=5610
Original scan on X: https://x.com/IMMHACAL/status/1940928602997952830
Chords as printed on the original song sheet. Key Am (capo up), as written on the sheet.
Am Ashville Junction, Swannanoa Tunnel, Dm Am All caved in, buddy, all caved in. Men are dying in the mountain, E7 Am Where I been, buddy, where I been. Am Well, my ol’ hammer, it rings like silver; Dm Am Shines like gold, buddy, shines like gold. It’s seen more trouble, it’s caught more bedrock, E7 Am Than can be told, buddy, can be told. (Repeat first verse and break) Am If I could gamble, and I could rob men, Dm Am Like some others I have known, I’d leave my hammer back in the mountain, E7 Am And I’d be gone, buddy, I’d be gone. (Repeat first verse and end)