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Sky Pilot

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"Sky Pilot"
(Burdon / Briggs / Weider / Jenkins / McCulloch)
Intro (acapella):
He blesses the boys as they stand in line
They smell of gun grease and their bayonets they shine
He's there to help them all that he can
To make them feel wanted, he's a good holy man
[band enters]
bass:
Fv v v v v v v v
8h10----8h10----8h10----8h10-----|-----8-----------8-------10------
---------------------------------|-8-10--------8-10----------------
---------------------------------|---------------------------------
---------------------------------|---------------------------------
(man)
Chorus:
SBbky... EbpiloBbt
SBbky... EbpiloBbt
CmHow high can you Bbfly
You'll Cmnever (never) (never) reach the Bbsky
Verse 1:
He sCmmiles at the young soldiers, tells tEbhem it's all right
He kCmnows of their fear in the fEborthcoming flight
SCmoon there'll be blood and mEbany will die
MCmothers and fathers back hFome they will cry
Chorus:
SBbky... EbpiloBbt
SBbky... EbpiloBbt
CmHow high can you Bbfly
You'll Cmnever (never) (never) reach the Bbsky
Verse 2:
He Cmmumbles a prayer and it Ebends with a smile
The Cmorder is given, they Ebmove down the line
But he sCmtay'll behind and Ebhe'll meditate
But it Cmwon't stop the bleeding or Fease the hate
Verse 3:
And the Cmyoung men move out inEbto the battle zone
He Cmfeels good, with God you're Ebnever alone
He Cmfeels so tired and he Eblays on his bed
CmHopes the men will find courage in the Fwords that he said
Chorus:
SBbky... EbpiloBbt
SBbky... EbpiloBbt
CmHow high can you Bbfly
You'll Cmnever (never) (never) reach the Bbsky
Interlude:
2:49 twin guitar solo over Bb
3:10 sound effects enter
3:56 bagpipes enter, guitars fade
5:01 bagpipes and effects fade; acoustic guitar and bass enter
Eb [4X; strings enter 3rd time]
/ / / / / / / /
Verse 4:
You're Cmsoldiers of God, you Ebmust understand
The Cmfate of your country is Ebin your young hands
May CmGod give you strength, do Ebyour job real well
If Cmit all was worth it, only Ftime it will tell
Verse 5:
In the Cmmorning they returned with Ebtears in their eyes
The Cmstench of death drifts Ebup to the skies
A young Cmsoldier so ill looks Ebat the Sky Pilot
ReCmmembers the words, "FThou shalt not kill"
Chorus:
SBbky... EbpiloBbt
SBbky... EbpiloBbt
CmHow high can you Bbfly
You'll Cmnever (never) (never) reach the Bbsky
SBbky... EbpiloBbt
SBbky... EbpiloBbt
CmHow high can you Bbfly
You'll nCmever (never) (Ebnever) reach the Bbsky
You'll nCmever (never) (Ebnever) reach the Bbsky
You'll nCmever (never) (Ebnever) reach the Bbsky...
-- another ace 60's tab from Andrew Rogers
All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

This song tells the balladic story of a military chaplain, known as a "sky pilot," who blesses a group of soldiers before they embark on an overnight raid. The narrative follows the chaplain as he then waits for their return, creating a poignant scene of anticipation and reflection. The song is structured in three movements, beginning with an a cappella verse before the band joins in. It plays like a solemn and evocative portrayal of duty, faith, and the human cost of conflict.

AI-written from these sources:Sky Pilot (song) — Wikipedia ↗The Animals — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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About Sky Pilot Chords by The Animals

Learn how to play Sky Pilot by The Animals with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Sky Pilot chords”, “Sky Pilot guitar chords”, or “The Animals Sky Pilot 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 Sky Pilot chords and for experienced players who want accurate Sky Pilot lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F, Bb, Eb, Cm, A.

FAQ — Sky Pilot by The Animals

How do I play "Sky Pilot" by The Animals on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Sky Pilot" by The Animals free?

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Can I transpose "Sky Pilot" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Sky Pilot"?

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

Is "Sky Pilot" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Sky Pilot" in?

The chords for "Sky Pilot" show the original chord names (including F, Bb, Eb, Cm, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.