Is Free Chord Book really free?

Yes. Free Chord Book is 100% free with no sign-up required. Access 670,000+ guitar chords, tabs, and lyrics for every song you want to learn.

How do I transpose chords to a different key?

Open any song and use the transpose buttons to move every chord up or down by half-steps. Perfect for singers who need a different key or capo players.

Can I see chord diagrams while I play?

Yes. Tap any chord in a song to instantly see its interactive guitar chord diagram, including alternate fingerings and variations.

What's the difference between guitar chords and guitar tabs?

Chords show you which strings to strum together (great for rhythm playing and singing). Tabs (tablature) show you exact note-by-note fingerings, which is great for solos, riffs, and fingerpicking.

Does Free Chord Book work on mobile?

Yes. Free Chord Book is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use auto-scroll to play hands-free. There is also a free iPhone app (The Chord Book) and Android app (Free Chords).

Is there an iPhone or Android app?

Yes. Download The Chord Book on the Apple App Store and Free Chords on Google Play. Same 670,000+ songs, transpose, tuner, and auto-scroll — 100% free.

Can I print guitar chords?

Yes. Open any song and tap the Print button next to Save. You'll get a branded chord sheet with the Chord Book logo, ready for practice.

Is there a built-in guitar tuner?

Yes. Free Chord Book includes a free online guitar tuner that uses your microphone and YIN pitch detection for accurate tuning in standard and alternate tunings.

How many songs are available?

Over 670,000 songs with chords, tabs, and lyrics — covering every genre, from rock and pop to country, indie, folk, and Hebrew songs.

Is Free Chord Book a good alternative to Ultimate Guitar?

Yes. Free Chord Book is a fast, ad-free, 100% free alternative to Ultimate Guitar with interactive chord diagrams, instant transpose, auto-scroll, and a built-in tuner — no account required.

SavedFavorites

Rain King

Chords

4.7678 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro] (x2)
D A/C# Bm   A
D A/C# Bm E A
[Verse]
DWhen I think of heavenA/C#  
BmDeliver me Ain a black-winged Dbird
A/C#I think of flBmying EdowAn into a sea Dof pens and feaA/C#thers
BmAnd all other Ainstruments of Dfaith and sex and A/C#God
In the belly of a Bmblack-wEinged bAird.
BmDon't Gtry to feed me
BmI've been Ghere before
And DI deserve a Elittle more
[Chorus]
AI Bmbelong Din the Eservice of the AQueen
AI Bmbelong DanyEwhere but in betAween
AShe's been Bmcrying Dand I've been thEinking
AAnd I Bmam the DRain KingE  
[Verse]
And I saiDd mama, mamaA/C#, mama, why am I Bmso aAlone?
DI can't go A/C#outside
I'm scared I Bmmight not Emake it Ahome
I'm Dalive, I'm aA/C#live
But IBm'm sinking inA  
If there's Danyone at home at A/C#your place, darling
BmWhy don't Eyou invite me iAn?
BmDon't Gtry to bleed me
BmI've been Gthere before
And DI deserve a Elittle more
[Chorus]
AI Bmbelong Din the Eservice of the AQueen
AI Bmbelong DanywEhere but in betAween
AShe's been Bmlying Dand I've been sEinking
AAnd I Bmam the DRain KingE  
[Bridge]
BmHey, I only Dwant the same as Aanyone
BmHenderson is DwaitAing Bmfor the sun
Oh, it seems night endlessly Dbegins and Aends
BmAfter all the Ddreaming I come Ahome again
[Solo]
D   A/C#   Bm     A
D   A/C#   Bm  E  A
[Verse]
DWhen I think of A/C#heaven
BmDeliver me Ain a black-winged Dbird
A/C#I think of dyiBmngE  
ALay me down in a Dfield of flame and A/C#heather
BmRender up my Abody into the Dburning heart of A/C#God
In the belly of Bma black-Ewinged bAird
BmDon't Gtry to bleed me
BmI've been Ghere before
And DI deserve a Elittle more
[Chorus]
AI Bmbelong Din the Eservice of the Aqueen
AI Bmbelong DanywEhere but in betAween
AShe's been Bmdying Dand I've been Edrinking
AAnd I Bmam the DRain KingE  
Well, I said AI Bmam the DRain KingE  
Well, I said AI-I-BmI-I-I Dyeah yeah yeah yeah Eyeah yeah yeah 
Well, AI Bmam the Drain kingE  
Yeah

All chords in this song (6)

The story behind the song

"Rain King" draws its title from a book that became a symbol for the band's frontman, Adam Duritz, about the nature of creativity. He describes the book's main character as a "big, open-wound of a person" who "bled all over everyone around him," full of both joy and sorrow. For Duritz, this reflected how writing felt: taking everything inside oneself and "spraying it all over." The song, released in 1994 on their debut album August and Everything After, channels this raw and expressive approach to creation. It plays like an outpouring of emotion, capturing the messy, beautiful process of putting oneself into art.

AI-written from these sources:Rain King — Wikipedia ↗Counting Crows — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Rain King

by Counting Crows

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

A/C#

[Intro] (x2)

D A/C# Bm A

D A/C# Bm E A

[Verse]

D A/C#

When I think of heaven

Bm A D

Deliver me in a black-winged bird

A/C# Bm E A D A/C#

I think of flying down into a sea of pens and feathers

Bm A D A/C#

And all other instruments of faith and sex and God

Bm E A

In the belly of a black-winged bird.

Bm G

Don't try to feed me

Bm G

I've been here before

D E

And I deserve a little more

[Chorus]

A Bm D E A

I belong in the service of the Queen

A Bm D E A

I belong anywhere but in between

A Bm D E

She's been crying and I've been thinking

A Bm D E

And I am the Rain King

[Verse]

D A/C# Bm A

And I said mama, mama, mama, why am I so alone?

D A/C#

I can't go outside

Bm E A

I'm scared I might not make it home

D A/C#

I'm alive, I'm alive

Bm A

But I'm sinking in

D A/C#

If there's anyone at home at your place, darling

Bm E A

Why don't you invite me in?

Bm G

Don't try to bleed me

Bm G

I've been there before

D E

And I deserve a little more

[Chorus]

A Bm D E A

I belong in the service of the Queen

A Bm D E A

I belong anywhere but in between

A Bm D E

She's been lying and I've been sinking

A Bm D E

And I am the Rain King

[Bridge]

Bm D A

Hey, I only want the same as anyone

Bm D A Bm

Henderson is waiting for the sun

D A

Oh, it seems night endlessly begins and ends

Bm D A

After all the dreaming I come home again

[Solo]

D A/C# Bm A

D A/C# Bm E A

[Verse]

D A/C#

When I think of heaven

Bm A D

Deliver me in a black-winged bird

A/C# Bm E

I think of dying

A D A/C#

Lay me down in a field of flame and heather

Bm A D A/C#

Render up my body into the burning heart of God

Bm E A

In the belly of a black-winged bird

Bm G

Don't try to bleed me

Bm G

I've been here before

D E

And I deserve a little more

[Chorus]

A Bm D E A

I belong in the service of the queen

A Bm D E A

I belong anywhere but in between

A Bm D E

She's been dying and I've been drinking

A Bm D E

And I am the Rain King

A Bm D E

Well, I said I am the Rain King

A Bm D E

Well, I said I-I-I-I-I yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

A Bm D E

Well, I am the rain king

Yeah

About Rain King Chords by Counting Crows

Learn how to play Rain King by Counting Crows with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Rain King chords”, “Rain King guitar chords”, or “Counting Crows Rain King 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 Rain King chords and for experienced players who want accurate Rain King lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, A/C#, Bm, A, E, G.

FAQ — Rain King by Counting Crows

How do I play "Rain King" by Counting Crows on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Rain King" by Counting Crows 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 "Rain King" by Counting Crows free?

Yes. The chords for "Rain King" by Counting Crows are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Rain King" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Rain King"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Rain King" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Rain King" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Rain King" by Counting Crows with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Counting Crows below.

What key is "Rain King" in?

The chords for "Rain King" show the original chord names (including D, A/C#, Bm, A, E, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.