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Old College Try

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Amajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
A  C#m  D  E  D
A  F#m  D  E
[Verse 1]
AFrom the housetops to the gutterC#ms
DFrom the oceans to the sEhoresD  
The Awarning signs have all been bright and F#mgarish
DFar to great in number to igEnore
AFrom the cities to the swamC#mplands
DFrom the highways to the EhillsD  
Our Alove has never had a leg to F#mstand on
DFrom the aspirins to the cross-tops to the EElevils
[Chorus 1]
But I will walDk 
Edown to the eAnd with yDou
If you will Acome all the way Edown with Ame
[Verse 2]
AFrom the entrance to the C#mexit
Is Dlonger than it looks from where we EstandD  
I Awanna say I'm sorry 
for F#mstuff I haven't done yet
DThings will shortly get completEely out of hand
I can Afeel it in the rotten air toC#mnight
In the Dtips of my fingers 
in the Eskin on my Dface
In the Aweak last gasp of the F#mevening's dying light
In the Dway those eyes I've always loved Eilluminate this place
[Chorus 2]
Like a trashcDan fire iEn a prison cell
Like the Asearchlights in the pDarking lots of hell
I will wAalk down to the EenAd with yoDu
If you will Acome all the way Edown with Ame
(then verse progression while organ solo plays over it, 
followed by D E A, then A E D transitioned rapidly, 
then  A   E  A)

All chords in this song (5)

Open

XO222O

Major chord - Happy, bright sound

✕ Mute Open Press

Skill · find home

A major

This chord is home. When a line ends, land here.

Old College Try

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Old College Try

by The Mountain Goats

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

F#m

[Intro]

A C#m D E D

A F#m D E

[Verse 1]

A C#m

From the housetops to the gutters

D E D

From the oceans to the shores

A F#m

The warning signs have all been bright and garish

D E

Far to great in number to ignore

A C#m

From the cities to the swamplands

D E D

From the highways to the hills

A F#m

Our love has never had a leg to stand on

D E

From the aspirins to the cross-tops to the Elevils

[Chorus 1]

But I will walk

E A D

down to the end with you

A E A

If you will come all the way down with me

[Verse 2]

A C#m

From the entrance to the exit

D E D

Is longer than it looks from where we stand

I wanna say I'm sorry

F#m

for stuff I haven't done yet

D E

Things will shortly get completely out of hand

A C#m

I can feel it in the rotten air tonight

In the tips of my fingers

E D

in the skin on my face

A F#m

In the weak last gasp of the evening's dying light

D E

In the way those eyes I've always loved illuminate this place

[Chorus 2]

D E

Like a trashcan fire in a prison cell

A D

Like the searchlights in the parking lots of hell

A E A D

I will walk down to the end with you

A E A

If you will come all the way down with me

(then verse progression while organ solo plays over it,

followed by D E A, then A E D transitioned rapidly,

A E A

then )

About Old College Try Chords by The Mountain Goats

Learn how to play Old College Try by The Mountain Goats with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Old College Try chords”, “Old College Try guitar chords”, or “The Mountain Goats Old College Try 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 Old College Try chords and for experienced players who want accurate Old College Try lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, C#m, D, E, F#m.

FAQ — Old College Try by The Mountain Goats

How do I play "Old College Try" by The Mountain Goats on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Old College Try" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Old College Try"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Old College Try" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Old College Try" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Old College Try" by The Mountain Goats with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Mountain Goats below.

What key is "Old College Try" in?

The chords for "Old College Try" show the original chord names (including A, C#m, D, E, F#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.