F                        C
You see these work boots in my hands, they'll probably fit you now my son
Bb         C         Dm        Gm  Gm7           C7
Take them, they're a gift from me, why don't you try them on?
F                        C
It would do your old man good to see you walking in these boots one day
Bb            C      Dm       Gm      C7   C        F
And take your place among the men who work upon the slipway


[Chorus]

      C                   F
These dead man's boots, though they're old and curled
       Bb                       F
When a feller needs a job and a place in the world
Bb                  C      Dm       Gm (Let it ring)
And it's time for a man to put down roots
    C7                       C
And walk to the river in his old man's boots


[Intro Half] (Do this once, instead of twice like you do at first)

|  F  |  C  |  %  |  %  |


[Verse 2]

F                             C
He said, "I'm nearly done and asking this, that you do one final thing for me
       Bb     C     Dm     Gm        Gm7                 C
You're barely but a sapling, and you think that you're a tree
F                             C
If you need a seed to prosper, you must first put down some roots
     Bb       C        Dm   Gm        C          F
Just one foot then the other in these dead man's boots"


[Chorus]

      C                  F
These dead man's boots know their way down the hill
           Bb                             F
They could walk there themselves and they probably will
          Bb            C        Dm        Gm
There's a place for you there to sink your roots
           C7                       C
And take a walk to the river in his old man's boots


[Mini Bridge]

|  F  |  Eb  |


[Verse 3]

        Bb                       F            Gm             C
I said, "Why in the hell would I do that? And why would I agree?"
         Bb       C        Dm    Gm         Gm7        C7
When his hand was all that I'd received, as far as I remember
     Bb                     F           Gm                      C
It's not as if he'd spoiled me with his kindness up to then you see
        Bb       C           Dm        Gm           C           F
I'd a plan of me own and I'd quit this place when I came of age September


[Chorus]

      C                  F
These dead man's boots know their way down the hill
           Bb                             F
They could walk there themselves and they probably will
    Bb        C            Dm           Gm
I'd plenty of choices, and plenty other routes
         C7                            C
And he'd never see me walking in these dead man's boots


[Mini Bridge]

|  F  |  Eb  |


[Verse 4]
(Varies a little from Verse 3)
Bb                     F          Gm                       C
What was it made him think I'd be happy ending up like him?
          Bb     C       Dm           Gm         Gm7                 C7
When he'd hardly got two half pennies left, or a broken pot to piss in
Bb                            F       Gm             C
He wanted this same thing for me, was that his final wish?
         Bb        C            Dm       Gm   C (Root note)
He said, "What the hell are you going to do?"
N.C.
I said, "Anything but this!"

F
(Listen to the song to know where to play it)


[Outro]

      C                           F
These dead man's boots know their way down the hill
         Bb                             F
They can walk there themselves and they most likely will
         Bb                             F
But they won't walk with me because I'm off the other way
     Bb                              F
I've had it up to here, I'm going to have my say
     Bb                          F
When all you've got left is that cross on the wall
       Bb                       F
I want nothing from you, I want nothing at all
      Gm                                F
Not a pension nor a pittance, when your whole life is through
    Bb                          C
Get this through your head, I'm nothing like you
    Bb                                    Bb             Gm (Let ring)
I'm done with all the arguments, there'll be no more dispute
            C                             Ab   Gm    F (Rings until finishes)
And you'll die before you see me in your dead man's boots