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Changing Of The Guards

Chords

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Capo on fret 1 (as written in this song)

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Capo 1
[Intro]
G
[Verse 1]
GSixDteen Emyears,
Sixteen Gbanners Dunited over the Emfield
Where a Cgood Shepard Dgrieves.
Desperate Emmen, desperate Gwomen Ddivided
Spreading their Emwings 'neath the CfalDling Gleaves
[Verse 2]
GForDtune cEmalls
I stepped Gforth from the Dshadows, to the Emmarketplace,
Merchants and Cthieves, hungry for Dpower, my last deal gone Emdown.
She's smelling Gsweet like the Dmeadows where she was Emborn
On midsummer's Ceve, Dnear the Gtower
[Interlude]
G D C
G D C
G D C D
G Gsus4 G
[Verse 3]
The Gcold-Dblooded Emmoon
The captain Gwaits above the Dcelebration
Sending his Emthoughts to a Cbeloved Dmaid
Whose ebony Emface is Gbeyond Dcommunication
he captain is Emdown but still believing that his Clove will Dbe Grepaid
[Verse 4]
They Gshaved Dher Emhead
She was torn between GJupiter and DApollo
A messenger Emarrived with a Gblack Dnightingale
I seen her on the Emstairs and I Gcouldn't help but Dfollow
Follow her Emdown past the fountain where they Clifted Dher Gveil
[Interlude]
G D C
G D C
G D C D
G Gsus4 G
[Verse 5]
I Gstumbled Dto my Emfeet
I rode past the Gdestruction in the Dditches
With the Emstitches still mending 'neath the Cheart shaped Dtattoo.
Renegade Empriests and Gtreacherous young Dwitches
Were Emhanding out the flowers that CI'd Dgiven to Gyou
[Verse 6]
GThe Dpalace of Emmirrors
Where dog Gsolders are Dreflected,
The endless Emroad and the Cwailing of Dchimes
The empty Emrooms where her Gmemory is Dprotected
Where the Emangels' voices whisper to the Csouls of Dprevious Gtimes
[Interlude]
G D C
G D C
G D C D
G Gsus4 G
[Verse 7]
She Gwakes Dhim Emup
Forty-eight hours Glater, the sun is Dbreaking
Near broken Emchains, mountain Claurel and Drolling rock.
She's begging to Emknow  what Gmeasures he now will be Dtaking.
He's pulling her Emdown and she's clutching on to his Clong Dgolden Glocks
[Verse 8]
GGentleDmen, he sEmaid,
I don't Gneed your organiDzation, I've shined your Emshoes,
I've moved your Cmountains, and marked your Dcards
But Eden is Emburning, either get Gready for elimiDnation
Or else your Emhearts must have the courage for the Cchanging Dof the Gguards
[Verse 9]
GPeace Dwill cEmome
With Gtranquility and Dsplendor on the wheels of Emfire
But will Coffer no Dreward when her false idols Emfall
And cruel Gdeath surrDenders with it's Empale ghosts retreating
Between the CKing and DQueen of GSwords
[Outro]
Em
G D Em
C D Em
G D Em
C D G
G D C
G D C
G D C D
G Gsus4 G

All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

This song, released on the album Street-Legal, has sparked varied interpretations, with some critics feeling it parodies Bob Dylan's own anthemic style. Others have praised its musicality, noting its rock beat and strong background vocals that support Dylan's singing. It carries only a touch of his customary sound, offering a different flavor to his extensive body of work. At its heart, the song plays like an exploration of shifting roles and perspectives.

AI-written from these sources:Changing of the Guards — Wikipedia ↗Bob Dylan — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Changing Of The Guards

by Bob Dylan

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 1 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Gsus4

Capo 1

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

G D Em

Sixteen years,

G D Em

Sixteen banners united over the field

C D

Where a good Shepard grieves.

Em G D

Desperate men, desperate women divided

Em C D G

Spreading their wings 'neath the falling leaves

[Verse 2]

G D Em

Fortune calls

G D Em

I stepped forth from the shadows, to the marketplace,

C D Em

Merchants and thieves, hungry for power, my last deal gone down.

G D Em

She's smelling sweet like the meadows where she was born

C D G

On midsummer's eve, near the tower

[Interlude]

G D C

G D C D

G Gsus4 G

[Verse 3]

G D Em

The cold-blooded moon

G D

The captain waits above the celebration

Em C D

Sending his thoughts to a beloved maid

Em G D

Whose ebony face is beyond communication

Em C D G

he captain is down but still believing that his love will be repaid

[Verse 4]

G D Em

They shaved her head

G D

She was torn between Jupiter and Apollo

Em G D

A messenger arrived with a black nightingale

Em G D

I seen her on the stairs and I couldn't help but follow

Em C D G

Follow her down past the fountain where they lifted her veil

[Interlude]

G D C

G D C D

G Gsus4 G

[Verse 5]

G D Em

I stumbled to my feet

G D

I rode past the destruction in the ditches

Em C D

With the stitches still mending 'neath the heart shaped tattoo.

Em G D

Renegade priests and treacherous young witches

Em C D G

Were handing out the flowers that I'd given to you

[Verse 6]

G D Em

The palace of mirrors

G D

Where dog solders are reflected,

Em C D

The endless road and the wailing of chimes

Em G D

The empty rooms where her memory is protected

Em C D G

Where the angels' voices whisper to the souls of previous times

[Interlude]

G D C

G D C D

G Gsus4 G

[Verse 7]

G D Em

She wakes him up

G D

Forty-eight hours later, the sun is breaking

Em C D

Near broken chains, mountain laurel and rolling rock.

Em G D

She's begging to know what measures he now will be taking.

Em C D G

He's pulling her down and she's clutching on to his long golden locks

[Verse 8]

G D Em

Gentlemen, he said,

G D Em

I don't need your organization, I've shined your shoes,

C D

I've moved your mountains, and marked your cards

Em G D

But Eden is burning, either get ready for elimination

Em C D G

Or else your hearts must have the courage for the changing of the guards

[Verse 9]

G D Em

Peace will come

G D Em

With tranquility and splendor on the wheels of fire

C D Em

But will offer no reward when her false idols fall

G D Em

And cruel death surrenders with it's pale ghosts retreating

C D G

Between the King and Queen of Swords

[Outro]

G D Em

C D Em

G D Em

C D G

G D C

G D C D

G Gsus4 G

About Changing Of The Guards Chords by Bob Dylan

Learn how to play Changing Of The Guards by Bob Dylan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Changing Of The Guards chords”, “Changing Of The Guards guitar chords”, or “Bob Dylan Changing Of The Guards chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Changing Of The Guards chords and for experienced players who want accurate Changing Of The Guards lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, D, Em, C, Gsus4, A.

FAQ — Changing Of The Guards by Bob Dylan

How do I play "Changing Of The Guards" by Bob Dylan on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Changing Of The Guards" by Bob Dylan on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Changing Of The Guards" by Bob Dylan free?

Yes. The chords for "Changing Of The Guards" by Bob Dylan are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Changing Of The Guards" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Changing Of The Guards" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Changing Of The Guards"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Changing Of The Guards" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Changing Of The Guards" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Changing Of The Guards" by Bob Dylan with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bob Dylan below.

What key is "Changing Of The Guards" in?

The chords for "Changing Of The Guards" show the original chord names (including G, D, Em, C, Gsus4, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.