This is my cover of the rock classic, Locomotive Breath, by Jethro Tull from the 1971 album, Aqualung.
Below you can find MP3 downloads, guitar chords, lyrics, harmonica tabs, sheet music and more.
I hope you enjoy. Please leave a comment.
Cheers, George
Sheet Music
I found 2 great song books that include Locomotive Breath
Jethro Tull Guitar Anthology by Jethro Tull. Recorded Version (Guitar). Softcover. Guitar tablature. 176 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.690693).
ISBN 063407959X. With guitar tablature. 9×12 inches.
Ian Anderson and crew have sold more than 60 million albums. Here are transcriptions of 19 of the finest from these British rock legends: Aqualung • Locomotive Breath • Bungle in the Jungle • Cross-Eyed Mary • Living in the Past • Minstrel in the Gallery • New Day Yesterday • Passion Play Edit #8 • Thick as a Brick • Too Old to Rock ‘N Roll (Too Young to Die) • The Whistler • and more.
Aqualung by Jethro Tull. For guitar and voice. Hal Leonard Guitar Recorded Versions (Authentic note-for-note transcriptions). Hard Rock and Progressive Rock. Difficulty: medium. Guitar tablature songbook. Guitar tablature, standard notation, vocal melody, lyrics, chord names and guitar chord diagrams. 112 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.690684).
ISBN 063407850X. With guitar tablature, standard notation, vocal melody, lyrics, chord names and guitar chord diagrams. Hard Rock and Progressive Rock. 9×12 inches.
With 11 songs from the classic 1971 album, plus 4 more from the 25th anniversary CD re-release. Titles include: Aqualung, Cross-Eyed Mary, Hymn #43, Locomotive Breath, My God, Wind Up and more.
Locomotive Breath Chords, Lyrics, and Harmonica Tabs
This is my transcription and not necessarily completely accurate. That’s why I’ve supplied the sheet music links 🙂
Em G D Em
Em G D Em
Em G D Em
In the shuffling madness
-6 -6 7 -8 7 8 8
Em G D Em
Of the locomotive breath
-6 -6 -6 -6 7 -6 6 -6
Em G D Em
Runs the all-time loser
-6 -6 7 -8 9 8
Em G D B7
Headlong to his death.
8 8 9 8 8
B7 D Em
He feels the piston screaming
9 -10 9 8 -8 -8 8
Em G D Em
Steam breaking on his brow
9 8 -8 -8 -8 -8 7 -6
Em G D G A
Thank God, he stole the handle and
7 7 7 7 7 -8 -8
B7
The train won’t stop going
7 -8 8 8 -10 -10 8 8
B7 D Em
No way to slow down.
-8 -8 8 -8 7 -6
Em G D Em
He sees his children jumping off
Em G D Em
At the stations one by one.
Em G D Em
His woman and his best friend
Em G D B7
In bed and having fun.
B7 D Em
He’s crawling down the corridor
Em G D Em
On his hands and knees
Em G D G A
Old Charlie stole the handle and
B7
The train won’t stop going
B7 D Em
No way to slow down.
Em G D Em
He hears the silence howling
Em G D Em
Catches angels as they fall.
Em G D Em
And the all-time winner
Em G D B7
Has got him by the balls.
B7 D Em
He picks up Gideon’s Bible
Em G D Em
Open at page one
Em G D G A
God stole the handle and
B7
The train won’t stop going
B7 D Em
No way to slow down.
JETHRO TULL lyrics are property and copyright of their owners.
“Locomotive Breath” lyrics provided for educational purposes and personal use only.
Musical Instruments, Video and Audio Recording
Guitar
In the video, I am playing my
Takamine EG series Acoustic – Electric Guitar very similar to the picture to the left.
I bought this guitar in Charlotte, NC about 10 years ago. I had heard alot of good things about Takamine guitars and had tried a couple which I really liked so when I needed an affordable stage setup, I bought the guitar, hard-shell case, fender deluxe 90 amp, and an assortment of accessories for under a thousand bucks.
I like the rounded profile that is narrow at the waist and broad behind the bridge. This creates a soundboard with balanced frequency response – deep bass, clear treble, and a sweet, round midrange that projects well.
It includes 3-band graphic EQ and built-in tuner which is really handy.
From Takamine, “Built to Takamine designs in some of the most modern guitar shops in the world, G-series instruments are priced for every budget. The G-series guitar is every bit Takamine, from its acoustic performance to the latest in pickup and preamp design. These guitars are crafted from the finest handpicked tonewoods, hand-crafted by expert luthiers, all providing players with unmatched excellence and surprising affordability”
Harmonica – Hohner Special 20
The Hohner Special 20 has been my harmonica of choice for a long time. They are just easy to play, easy to bend and sound great. They are excellent harmonicas for someone just starting out but are also played by pros in all types of venues worldwide.
From Hohner, “The Special 20 is the go-to harp for harmonica players of any style, including blues, country, folk, or rock. The Special 20 delivers the coveted Marine Band sound and offers the benefits of its plastic comb: it doesn’t absorb moisture so it won’t swell, shrink, or crack; it lasts longer and is more airtight than wood combs that can become swollen, twisted, and warped; airtight construction provides increased responsiveness; plastic provides comfort and it’s smoother on the lips, preventing chafing”.
Really nice cover of a great song 🙂
Excellent george you really have talent, love tull by the way.
Thanks
realy good video
George…
I am assuming that your March 27, 2011 video on your other “Locomotive Breath” video is on a D Key harp?
(Third Position).
Where as, the other video is using a G Key harp?
Would you happen to have the tab for the G Key harp, as well?
Hi Big Al. I am playing a G harmonica in both versions. The tabs shown are for the G harmonica.
Hope that helps. Have fun
George…
Always been a Tull fan…
Thanks SO much for the knowledge of the proper key harp to use!
And for the licks to do so on this song!!
How about Aqualung?
What’s the best way to get that opening lick down in the key Tull plays it in?
Hey Big Al. Looking at Aqualung, the opening riff is based on a G blues scale and so I would use a C harmonica to play the lead.
Here are the tabs for the riff using a C harmonica. Bending is required – ‘b’ after the number indicates a semi-tone bend.
-4 3 -3b 4 -4b 4 x2
Is that what you were looking for?
Cheers, George
I play the Em on my D harp. Works good for me
cool !!
You’re welcome. Cheers
cool man! thanx….
Alright, cool. I’ll take that.
That was tight and very different.It scared me very much.I like it.
Pingback: example here
Thanks very much
George , That was Brilliant mate .
Sorry, my mistake i wanted to ask you if A harp should sound better?
The song is in the key of E minor which is the relative minor to the key of G (same key signature, one sharp, F#). So a G harmonica works for this
An E minor harmonic will work but a straight E harmonica has 4 sharps (F, C, G, D) which doesn’t work for this song.
I hope that makes sense.
George…
What position harp is that in?
Em key…
G Harp?
6th Position??
Hi Al. I’m going to say I am playing in first position. Em is the relative minor for the key of G, the chord built upon the sixth degree of the major scale.
Em and G major have the same key signature.
Why do you play G harp? Shouldn t the E harp sound better?
Hey thanks. I’m playing a G harp
what key is the harp you’re playing? Great job btw
Nice! Very well done George!
[..YouTube..] Nice! Very well done George!
You sound like Bob Dylan 😀 nice version 😉
[..YouTube..] You sound like Bob Dylan 😀 nice version 😉
[..YouTube..] You sound like Bob Dylan 😀 nice version ;)
Hi Italian Guy. No problem with the English.
When trying to play guitar and harmonica, it’s important to have each part down before trying to put both together. Keep at it, you’ll get there.
Thanks for watching.
Cheers, George
[..YouTube..] @blackPaeSe Hi Italian Guy. No problem with the English.
When trying to play guitar and harmonica, it’s important to have each part down before trying to put both together. Keep at it, you’ll get there.
Thanks for watching.
Cheers, George
[..YouTube..] @blackPaeSe Hi Italian Guy. No problem with the English.
When trying to play guitar and harmonica, it’s important to have each part down before trying to put both together. Keep at it, you’ll get there.
Thanks for watching.
Cheers, George
Great! I learned main riff of the verses but to play the harmonica with the guitar to be really tough, congratulations, will try to follow your tutorial, i’m currently still working on Heart of Gold, always following your lesson (hard to play two instruments together, and I started with the harmonica only a few days, really beautiful instrument!).
Thanks for your videos and tabs!
Sorry for English, I’m a Italian guy.
[..YouTube..] Great! I learned main riff of the verses but to play the harmonica with the guitar to be really tough, congratulations, will try to follow your tutorial, i’m currently still working on Heart of Gold, always following your lesson (hard to play two instruments together, and I started with the harmonica only a few days, really beautiful instrument!).
Thanks for your videos and tabs!
Sorry for English, I’m a Italian guy.
[..YouTube..] Great! I learned main riff of the verses but to play the harmonica with the guitar to be really tough, congratulations, will try to follow your tutorial, i’m currently still working on Heart of Gold, always following your lesson (hard to play two instruments together, and I started with the harmonica only a few days, really beautiful instrument!).
Thanks for your videos and tabs!
Sorry for English, I’m a Italian guy.
Right on, thanks
[..YouTube..] @ShaunM1986 Right on, thanks
[..YouTube..] @ShaunM1986 Right on, thanks
your a freak on that harp…dont slow down
[..YouTube..] your a freak on that harp…dont slow down
Pingback: Jethro Tull Locomotive Breath Cover Guitar Chords Lyrics Sheet Music | Railways of the World | Scoop.it
Great cover….you’re amazing!
Thanks Bro
Nice… LIKE
[..YouTube..] Nice… LIKE
[..YouTube..] Nice… LIKE
[..YouTube..] @belikewater001 Thanks Man
[..YouTube..] Man, that’s an awesome cover…and the harp…Sweet!
[..YouTube..] Man, that’s an awesome cover…and the harp…Sweet!