Now playing

This Old Dark Machine

Chords

4.849 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Eminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/4

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 4Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuning: Standard
Capo on 3
I took these chords from a live video I saw, so it might not be exactly the same as on 
the album.
      E A D G B E
Am    0-0-2-2-1-0-|
Am7   0-0-2-0-1-0-|
Em    0-2-2-0-0-0-|
D     0-0-0-2-3-2-|
C     3-3-2-0-1-0-|
G/C   3-2-0-0-1-0-|
[Fill]
e|--------|
B|-1------|
G|-0--00--|
D|-0--00--|
A|-0--00--|
E|-0h333--|
Am Fill
[Verse 1]
AmSpring it came upon us, Emevery insect filled the air
                                    D                          AmFill
Dropped their wings upon my brother, cast their shadows on his hair
AmIf we follow where they're leading, EmWe will surely come before
Dsome unseen and wondrous magic, Ammade of visions to explorAm7e
[Chorus]
DNear the town where we were living, Amwas an old abandoned farAm7m
DEvery year we'd plant an orchid, Amin the shelter of it's armAm7  
DTo protect us from the madness, Amof the future still to coAm7me
EmIt will be like this forever, CI will keep you safe from harDm
[Bridge]
 Am   Em   D   AmFill
[Verse 2]
AmThen they caught us in the summer, Emdressed in fathers finest clothes
                              D                           AmFill
You the hat he wore to market, I the jacket filled with holes
AmI've been searching all these hours, Emfor a hand as pale as bone
DThat would keep the strongest sunlight, Amand reflect the brightest stonAm7e
[Chorus]
DNear the town where we were living, Amwas a warm and fragrant smellAm7  
DOf the orchid we had planted, Amnow a forest tall and welAm7l
DWhat a statue to our greatness, Amwhat a story all will telAm7l
EmThey'll remember us forever, Cthey'll remember where we feDll
[Bridge]
 Am   Em   D   AmFill
AmThis old dark machine, it shakes and it shudders
G/CPulls to the left, then dies near the gutter
DBut still in the road, the traffic is silent
AmThe people they stare, and then they turn violent
FIf they should touch, the hem of your dress
AmI would rise like a lion, strike out again
CThe faithful they wait, the faithful they wait
G/CBy the sign
[Chorus]
DNear the town where we were living, Amcame a loud and joyous sounAm7d
DAs the earth and all her beauty, Ampicked us up from off the grounAm7d
DCarried far across the mountain, Amto a kingdom never bounAm7d
EmWe will live like this forever, CI will love you, DI will love you
[Bridge](x2)
Am Em D Am
| h  Hammer-on

All chords in this song (11)

🎸 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

This Old Dark Machine

by James Vincent McMorrow

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 3 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Am7

G/C

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuning: Standard

Capo on 3

I took these chords from a live video I saw, so it might not be exactly the same as on

the album.

E A D G B E

Am 0-0-2-2-1-0-|

Am7 0-0-2-0-1-0-|

Em 0-2-2-0-0-0-|

D 0-0-0-2-3-2-|

C 3-3-2-0-1-0-|

G/C 3-2-0-0-1-0-|

[Fill]

e|--------|

B|-1------|

G|-0--00--|

D|-0--00--|

A|-0--00--|

E|-0h333--|

Am Fill

[Verse 1]

Am Em

Spring it came upon us, every insect filled the air

D Am

Fill

Dropped their wings upon my brother, cast their shadows on his hair

Am Em

If we follow where they're leading, We will surely come before

D Am Am7

some unseen and wondrous magic, made of visions to explore

[Chorus]

D Am Am7

Near the town where we were living, was an old abandoned farm

D Am Am7

Every year we'd plant an orchid, in the shelter of it's arm

D Am Am7

To protect us from the madness, of the future still to come

Em C D

It will be like this forever, I will keep you safe from harm

[Bridge]

Am Em D Am

Fill

[Verse 2]

Am Em

Then they caught us in the summer, dressed in fathers finest clothes

D Am

Fill

You the hat he wore to market, I the jacket filled with holes

Am Em

I've been searching all these hours, for a hand as pale as bone

D Am Am7

That would keep the strongest sunlight, and reflect the brightest stone

[Chorus]

D Am Am7

Near the town where we were living, was a warm and fragrant smell

D Am Am7

Of the orchid we had planted, now a forest tall and well

D Am Am7

What a statue to our greatness, what a story all will tell

Em C D

They'll remember us forever, they'll remember where we fell

[Bridge]

Am Em D Am

Fill

This old dark machine, it shakes and it shudders

G/C

Pulls to the left, then dies near the gutter

But still in the road, the traffic is silent

The people they stare, and then they turn violent

If they should touch, the hem of your dress

I would rise like a lion, strike out again

The faithful they wait, the faithful they wait

G/C

By the sign

[Chorus]

D Am Am7

Near the town where we were living, came a loud and joyous sound

D Am Am7

As the earth and all her beauty, picked us up from off the ground

D Am Am7

Carried far across the mountain, to a kingdom never bound

Em C D

We will live like this forever, I will love you, I will love you

[Bridge](x2)

Am Em D Am

| h Hammer-on

About This Old Dark Machine Chords by James Vincent McMorrow

Learn how to play This Old Dark Machine by James Vincent McMorrow with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “This Old Dark Machine chords”, “This Old Dark Machine guitar chords”, or “James Vincent McMorrow This Old Dark Machine 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 This Old Dark Machine chords and for experienced players who want accurate This Old Dark Machine lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, A, D, G, B, Am.

FAQ — This Old Dark Machine by James Vincent McMorrow

How do I play "This Old Dark Machine" by James Vincent McMorrow on guitar?

Open the free chords for "This Old Dark Machine" by James Vincent McMorrow 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 "This Old Dark Machine" by James Vincent McMorrow free?

Yes. The chords for "This Old Dark Machine" by James Vincent McMorrow are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "This Old Dark Machine" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "This Old Dark Machine"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "This Old Dark Machine" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "This Old Dark Machine" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "This Old Dark Machine" by James Vincent McMorrow with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by James Vincent McMorrow below.

What key is "This Old Dark Machine" in?

The chords for "This Old Dark Machine" show the original chord names (including E, A, D, G, B, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.