This isn't meant to be exactly as James Taylor has performed it,
but is rather the way I usually play it. Finger-picking isn't
required, but it sure does sound nice!
Capo 2
[Intro]
D Bm* (Bm* = X20230) D Bm* D Bm* D Bm*
[Verse 1]
D Bm* D Bm* D Bm* G A7sus4
Even the old folks never knew why they call it like they do;
D Bm* D Bm* Em D/F# G A
I was wond'ring since the age of two, down on Copperline.
D Bm* D Bm* D D/F# G A7sus4
Copper head, copper beech, copper kettles sitting side by each -
D Bm* D Bm* Em D/F# G A
Copper coil, cup o' Georgia peach, down on Copperline.
[Chorus 1]
Bm D/F# G Em D/F# G A
Half a mile down to Morgan Creek, leaning heavy on the end of the week.
Bm D/F# G Em D/F# G
Hercules and a hog-nosed snake - down on the Copperline,
G A D Bm* D Bm* D Bm* D Bm*
We were down on Copperline.
[Verse 2]
D Bm* D Bm* D Bm* G A7sus4
Warm summer night on the Copperline, slip away past suppertime.
D Bm* D Bm* Em D/F# G A
Wood smoke and moonshine, down on Copperline.
D Bm* D Bm* D D/F# G A7sus4
One time I saw my daddy dance; watched him moving like a man in a trance.
D Bm* D Bm* Em D/F# G A
He brought it back from the war in France, down on Copperline.
[Chorus 2]
Bm D/F# G Em D/F# G A
Branch water and tomato wine, creosote and turpentine,
Bm D/F# G Em D/F# G (tacet)
Sour mash and new moonshine, down on Copperline;
G A D Bm* D Bm* D Bm* D Bm*
We were down on Copperline.
[Verse 3]
D Bm* D Bm* D Bm* G A7sus4
First kiss ever I took, like a page from a romance book;
D Bm* D Bm* Em D/F# G A
The sky opened and the earth shook, down on Copperline.
[Chorus 3]
Bm D/F# G Em D/F# G A
Took a fall from a windy height; I only knew how to hold on tight,
Bm D/F# G Em D/F# G (tacet)
And pray for love enough to last all night down on Copperline.
[Bridge]
D6/G
Day breaks and the boy wakes up, and the dog barks and the bird sings,
(D6/G) A7sus4 D Bm* D Bm* D Bm* D Bm*
And the sap rises, and the angels sigh....Yeah
[Verse 4]
D Bm* D Bm* D Bm* G A7sus4
I tried to go back as if I could; all spec house and plywood
D Bm* D Bm* Em D/F# G A
Tore up, and tore up good, down on Copperline.
D Bm* D Bm* D D/F# G A7sus4
It doesn't come as a surprise to me; it doesn't touch my memory.
D Bm* D Bm* Em D/F# G A
Man I'm lifting up and rising free, down on Copperline.
[Chorus 4]
Bm D/F# G Em D/F# G A
Half a mile down to Morgan Creek, I'm only livin' for the end of the week.
Bm D/F# G Em D/F# G
Hercules and a hog-nosed snake - down on the Copperline,
G A D Bm* D Bm*
We were down on Copperline.
G A D Bm* D Bm* D Bm* D
Take me down on Copperline.