Now playing

January Hymn

Chords

5.0244 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

tab you'll see are the Csus2 and Csus4 chords that Colin uses to fill in
between the FM7 chords.  I've seen him play this live and it isn't that
difficult to get the hang of the chord changes.
Standard Tuning with Capo on 2nd Fret
Chords (relative to capo)
    C:032010
Csus2:030010
Csus4:033010
    F:033210 actually an Fm7  
    G:320030
Gsus2:300030
   G6:322000
   G7:323003
[Intro]
  C    Csus2    C    Csus4    FM7    G    Gsus2   Gx3
[Verse 1]
COn a winter's SFundGay I gCo   Csus2  C  Csus4  
To cFlear awGay the sCnowCsus2  C  Csus4  
And gFreen the gGround bCeloCsus2wC  Csus4  F  G  
CApril all an oFceaGn awaCyCsus2  C  Csus4  
Is tFhis the better wGay to spend the dCay?  Csus2  C  Csus4  
FKeeping the Gwinter at CbaCsus2yC  Csus4  F  G  
[Chorus 1]
FWhat were the woGrds I meant to saCy before you leFft?
When AmI could see your brFeath lead where you were GgoiG7ng tG6oG  
CMaybe I should jFust lGet it bCeCsus2  C  Csus4  
And mFaybe it will aGll come back to mCeCsus2  C  Csus4  
Sing: FO, JanGu--ary, CO
[Instrumental]
  C    Csus2    C    Csus4    FM7    G    Gsus2x2
[Verse 2]
CHow I lived a cFhildhGood in snCowCsus2  C  Csus4  
And aFll my tGeens in CtowCsus2  C  Csus4  
StuffFed in straGta of cloCtheCsus2sC  Csus4  F  G  
CPale the winFter dGays after daCrkCsus2  C  Csus4  
FWandering the grGay memorial paCrkCsus2  C  Csus4  
A fFleeting beGating of heCartCsus2s C  Csus4  F  G  
[Chorus 2]
FWhat were the woGrds I meant to sCay before she lFeft?
When AmI could see her breFath lead where she was goGing G7toG6  G  
CMaybe I should jFust lGet it bCeCsus2  C  Csus4  
And mFaybe it will aGll come back to mCeCsus2  C  Csus4  
Sing: FO, JaGnu-, FO JanGu--ary, CO
[Outro]  
  C    Csus2    C    Csus4    FM7    G    Gsus2    Gx4  End on C  

All chords in this song (10)

🎸 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

January Hymn

by The Decemberists

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Csus2

Csus4

Fm7

Gsus2

tab you'll see are the Csus2 and Csus4 chords that Colin uses to fill in

between the FM7 chords. I've seen him play this live and it isn't that

difficult to get the hang of the chord changes.

Standard Tuning with Capo on 2nd Fret

Chords (relative to capo)

:032010

Csus2

:030010

Csus4

:033010

F Fm7

:033210 actually an

:320030

Gsus2

:300030

:322000

:323003

[Intro]

C Csus2 C Csus4 FM7 G Gsus2 G

[Verse 1]

C F G C Csus2 C Csus4

On a winter's Sunday I go

F G C Csus2 C Csus4

To clear away the snow

F G C Csus2 C Csus4 F G

And green the ground below

C F G C Csus2 C Csus4

April all an ocean away

F G C Csus2 C Csus4

Is this the better way to spend the day?

F G C Csus2 C Csus4 F G

Keeping the winter at bay

[Chorus 1]

F G C F

What were the words I meant to say before you left?

Am F G G7 G6 G

When I could see your breath lead where you were going to

C F G C Csus2 C Csus4

Maybe I should just let it be

F G C Csus2 C Csus4

And maybe it will all come back to me

F G C

Sing: O, Janu--ary, O

[Instrumental]

C Csus2 C Csus4 FM7 G Gsus2

[Verse 2]

C F G C Csus2 C Csus4

How I lived a childhood in snow

F G C Csus2 C Csus4

And all my teens in tow

F G C Csus2 C Csus4 F G

Stuffed in strata of clothes

C F G C Csus2 C Csus4

Pale the winter days after dark

F G C Csus2 C Csus4

Wandering the gray memorial park

F G C Csus2 C Csus4 F G

A fleeting beating of hearts

[Chorus 2]

F G C F

What were the words I meant to say before she left?

Am F G G7 G6 G

When I could see her breath lead where she was going to

C F G C Csus2 C Csus4

Maybe I should just let it be

F G C Csus2 C Csus4

And maybe it will all come back to me

F G F G C

Sing: O, Janu-, O Janu--ary, O

[Outro]

C Csus2 C Csus4 FM7 G Gsus2 G C

x4 End on

About January Hymn Chords by The Decemberists

Learn how to play January Hymn by The Decemberists with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “January Hymn chords”, “January Hymn guitar chords”, or “The Decemberists January Hymn 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 January Hymn chords and for experienced players who want accurate January Hymn lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Csus2, Csus4, C, F, Fm7, G.

FAQ — January Hymn by The Decemberists

How do I play "January Hymn" by The Decemberists on guitar?

Open the free chords for "January Hymn" by The Decemberists 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 "January Hymn" by The Decemberists free?

Yes. The chords for "January Hymn" by The Decemberists are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "January Hymn" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "January Hymn"?

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

Is "January Hymn" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "January Hymn" by The Decemberists with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Decemberists below.

What key is "January Hymn" in?

The chords for "January Hymn" show the original chord names (including Csus2, Csus4, C, F, Fm7, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.