C                            F         G  C 
Well I joined me the union a long time ago 
C                                F       G  C 
And now the paint in my bucket resembles my soul 
C                            F          G   C 
I don't paint for the union, they paint for me 
C                        F       G   C 
And a fine union painter I'll always be 
 
On my way to Nevada, well I broke myself down 
Here I've been stranded five years in this town 
Well I heard of a place, a place I could stay 
They said I'd find Jesus, and be on my way 
 
          Am                   F           G    C            
Well they said I'd find Jesus, that's what they raved 
      F           C             G          C 
But I wound up in prison just before I was saved 
      F           C             G          C 
Yea I would up in prison just before I was saved 
 
Well I travel the country, but I don't have a home 
And I'm surrounded by others, but I'm always alone 
And when the paintin' time comes, I jump back on a train 
And spend all my green dollars just to poison my veins 
 
Well they said I'd find Jesus, that's what they raved 
But I wound up in prison just before I was saved 
Yea I would up in prison just before I was saved 
 
I was dead on arrival when I opened my eyes 
I'm still searchin' for freedom in these southern skies 
I don't paint for the union, they paint for me 
      C                  F      G    C 
And a fine union painter I'll always be 
      F          C       G           C 
Yes a fine union painter I'll always be