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Magdalene Lane

Chords

4.212 votes

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

i alternate between the G and C like 320003/320013
Listen to the song for the tempo/strumming
GThe angels Care lost in the Gcity of starsC  
Gthe wise meCn are down on tGheir knees.C  
GAnd the fruCitman of freewaGy will sell yoCu his cars
Gwhen he's sCure that you caGn't find the kCeys.
And Amthe ladies on DMagdalene lGane 
all Amworship the sun and tDhe sand.G  
And Amthe migrants who comDe can't complaiGn
for tChis is their Ampromised land.D  
GLa la la la la la la la la, 
la la la Amla la la la.
LCa la la la Dla la Gla la la, 
GMGM stuCdios canG't make tChe nut
Gthey're CauctionGing DorotChy's shoes.
GGable iCs gone, Gthe good Cwitch is a slut
Gand I'vCe got thGe parking Clot blues.
TAmhe wizard brought benDzadrine smilesG  
aAmnd he never let DorotDhy doze.G  
ShAme died as she walked Ddown the aisleG  
and Call that remAmains is her clotDhes.
OCver the raDinbow a KanGsas tornadoAm  
Ccan twist up Da little giGrl´s head.
ACunt Em's on reDlief and the tGinman's a thAmief
aCnd even the wizAmard can't wake tDhe dead.
GLa la la la la la la la la, 
la la la Amla la la la.
LCa la la la Dla la Gla la la,, 
GThe prophet Chas come to tGhis kingdom oCf lights
Gbut there's Cno one to lisGten or learn.C  
GAnd the saviCor performs fGor the propheCt's delight
Gwhile dissenCters are baniGshed or burneCd.
AmAnd the heretics Dbeg to be Gheard
Ambut the savior's Don tour for Gthe week.
AmSalvation is fouDnd in his wGord
if Conly heAm'd learn Dhow to speak.
ACnd LincolDn is laughGing with AmAmos 'n' Andy
cConcerning Dthe Great CivGil War.
ACnd Paul ReveDre sleeps with Gthe worst Amlooking creeps
wChile revolAmution's knockDing at his door.
GLa la la la la la la la la, 
la la la Amla la la la.
LCa la la la Dla la Gla la la,
(single strum)
GMagdalene CLane is tGhe red ligCht domain
Gwhere everyoCne's soul is Dfor sale.
GA piece oCf your heaGrt will do Cfor a start
Gbut you can Dsend us the resGt in the mail.
AmFor we have Dour own familiGes to feed
Amand we can't Dlet them starGve just for you.
AmWell, we'd ratheDr not watch Gwhile you bleed
so Ccome back Amin an hour wheDn you're through.
IGt's just aDnother city fuAmll of sorrow, 
iCt makes no Ddifference whGy I came.
CI only knoDw I'm leavinGg here tomorAmrow
Cand only thAme motel man Dknows my Gname

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

Don McLean is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his folk rock style and his ability to craft evocative songs. While he is celebrated for iconic hits, "Magdalene Lane" appears on his album Tapestry. This song, like much of his work, likely invites a thoughtful, introspective mood, a common thread in the music of an artist often called the "American Troubadour." Playing it can feel like stepping into a quiet, personal reflection.

AI-written from these sources:Don McLean — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

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

Magdalene Lane

by Don McLean

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

i alternate between the G and C like 320003/320013

Listen to the song for the tempo/strumming

G C G C

The angels are lost in the city of stars

G C G C

the wise men are down on their knees.

G C G C

And the fruitman of freeway will sell you his cars

G C G C

when he's sure that you can't find the keys.

Am D G

And the ladies on Magdalene lane

Am D G

all worship the sun and the sand.

Am D G

And the migrants who come can't complain

C Am D

for this is their promised land.

La la la la la la la la la,

la la la la la la la.

C D G

La la la la la la la la la,

G C G C

MGM studios can't make the nut

G C G C

they're auctioning Dorothy's shoes.

G C G C

Gable is gone, the good witch is a slut

G C G C

and I've got the parking lot blues.

Am D G

The wizard brought benzadrine smiles

Am D G

and he never let Dorothy doze.

Am D G

She died as she walked down the aisle

C Am D

and all that remains is her clothes.

C D G Am

Over the rainbow a Kansas tornado

C D G

can twist up a little girl´s head.

C D G Am

Aunt Em's on relief and the tinman's a thief

C Am D

and even the wizard can't wake the dead.

La la la la la la la la la,

la la la la la la la.

C D G

La la la la la la la la la,,

G C G C

The prophet has come to this kingdom of lights

G C G C

but there's no one to listen or learn.

G C G C

And the savior performs for the prophet's delight

G C G C

while dissenters are banished or burned.

Am D G

And the heretics beg to be heard

Am D G

but the savior's on tour for the week.

Am D G

Salvation is found in his word

C Am D

if only he'd learn how to speak.

C D G Am

And Lincoln is laughing with Amos 'n' Andy

C D G

concerning the Great Civil War.

C D G Am

And Paul Revere sleeps with the worst looking creeps

C Am D

while revolution's knocking at his door.

La la la la la la la la la,

la la la la la la la.

C D G

La la la la la la la la la,

(single strum)

G C G C

Magdalene Lane is the red light domain

G C D

where everyone's soul is for sale.

G C G C

A piece of your heart will do for a start

G D G

but you can send us the rest in the mail.

Am D G

For we have our own families to feed

Am D G

and we can't let them starve just for you.

Am D G

Well, we'd rather not watch while you bleed

C Am D

so come back in an hour when you're through.

G D Am

It's just another city full of sorrow,

C D G

it makes no difference why I came.

C D G Am

I only know I'm leaving here tomorrow

C Am D G

and only the motel man knows my name

About Magdalene Lane Chords by Don McLean

Learn how to play Magdalene Lane by Don McLean with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Magdalene Lane chords”, “Magdalene Lane guitar chords”, or “Don McLean Magdalene Lane 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 Magdalene Lane chords and for experienced players who want accurate Magdalene Lane lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, Am, D, Em, A.

FAQ — Magdalene Lane by Don McLean

How do I play "Magdalene Lane" by Don McLean on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Magdalene Lane" by Don McLean 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 "Magdalene Lane" by Don McLean free?

Yes. The chords for "Magdalene Lane" by Don McLean are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Magdalene Lane" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Magdalene Lane"?

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

Is "Magdalene Lane" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Magdalene Lane" by Don McLean with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Don McLean below.

What key is "Magdalene Lane" in?

The chords for "Magdalene Lane" show the original chord names (including G, C, Am, D, Em, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.