Union Maid

by Woody Guthrie · posted by chibluesteve

How hard is it?

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How to read this tab — notation key

+: Blow note
−: Draw note
b or ': Half-step bend
bb or '': Two half-step bend
bbb or ''': Three half-step bend
(###): Chord — relevant hole numbers in parentheses
< or *: Push the button in (chromatic harmonica)

Full reference and posting tips in the tab guide.

Tab

C Tenor - Low C

 -3   -5   -5 -5 -5 <-6  -7
There once was a union- maid,
-5  7 -8  -9  -8 -7  
who never was afraid
<-6   7   <-6   6    7  <-6 <-6 6  -5
Of- goons and ginks and company-- finks 
<-6 <-6 6 6 6    6  6    6   -7  -7   -7   
and the deputy sheriffs who made the raid.
-3   -5  -5 -5 -5 <-6  -7
She went to the union hall 
 -5 -5  7  -8  -9 -8    -8
when a meeting it was called,
<-6  7   <-6  6  6  <-6   6     -5
And when the Legion boys came 'round
<-6  6 -4    5    6    -5
She always stood her ground.

-9  <8   -8    -8   -8
Oh, you can't scare me, 
-9   <8  <8  -8  -8 -7 <-6
I'm sticking to the union-,
-7   -8  -8 -7  -7  -7  6
I'm sticking to the union, 
-7   -8  -8 -7  -7  -7  6
I'm sticking to the union.
-9  <8   -8    -8   -8
Oh, you can't scare me, 
-9   <8  <8  -8 -8 -7 <-6
I'm sticking to the union,
-7   -8  -8 -7  -7  -7  6
I'm sticking to the union 
  7   7  <-6 6 -5
'til the day I die.

 -3  -5 -5  -5  <-6  -7
This union maid was wise 
-5 -5    7    -8 -9 -8 -8  -7
to the tricks of company- spies,
<-6  7  7 <-6    6  
She never got fooled 
7  7 <-6 <-6 6  -5
by a company-- stool, 
 <-6   6  6   6  6 -7  -7   -7
she'd always organize the guys.
-3  -5 -5  -5  <-6 -7
She always got her way 
 -5  -5     7   -8  -9 -8  -8
when she struck for better pay.
 <-6    7  <-6   6   
She'd show her card 
7   7  <-6 <-6 6  -5
to the National- Guard
<-6  6   -4  5     6   -5
And this is what she'd say

-9  <8   -8    -8   -8
Oh, you can't scare me, 
-9   <8  <8  -8  -8 -7 <-6
I'm sticking to the union-,
-7   -8  -8 -7  -7  -7  6
I'm sticking to the union, 
-7   -8  -8 -7  -7  -7  6
I'm sticking to the union.
-9  <8   -8    -8   -8
Oh, you can't scare me, 
-9   <8  <8  -8 -8 -7 <-6
I'm sticking to the union,
-7   -8  -8 -7  -7  -7  6
I'm sticking to the union 
  7   7  <-6 6 -5
'til the day I die.

-3   -5  -5   -5  -5 <-6  -7
You gals who want to be- free, 
-5    7   7 -8 -8  -9   -8  -7
just take a little tip from me;
<-6  7 <-6 6   7    7 <-6 6 -5
Get you a man who's a union man 
<-6  6    6   6  6   6 -7 -7 -7
and join the ladies' auxiliary.
-5 -5    -5   <-6   -7
Married life ain't hard 
 -5  -5   7 -8 -9 -8  -8
when you got a union card,
<-6 7 <-6  6   7  7 <-6 6  -5
A-- union man has a happy life 
<-6  <-6   6 -4  5 6   -5
when he's got a union wife.

-9  <8   -8    -8   -8
Oh, you can't scare me, 
-9   <8  <8  -8  -8 -7 <-6
I'm sticking to the union-,
-7   -8  -8 -7  -7  -7  6
I'm sticking to the union, 
-7   -8  -8 -7  -7  -7  6
I'm sticking to the union.
-9  <8   -8    -8   -8
Oh, you can't scare me, 
-9   <8  <8  -8 -8 -7 <-6
I'm sticking to the union,
-7   -8  -8 -7  -7  -7  6
I'm sticking to the union 
  7   7  <-6 6 -5
'til the day I die.

Play on a harmonica— watch which holes to blow & draw, with sound