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China In Your Hand

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90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/20

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 20Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

Intro Chords:
e|---G3-------D/F#-2-------C/E-0---|
B|---3--------3--------1---|
G|---0--------2--------0---|
D|---0--------0--------2---|
A|---2-----------------3---|
E|---3--------2*-------0*--|
* During the intro it sounds good to alternate between the bass notes on the low E
string and strumming the rest of the chord so on the D/F# you play the 2nd fret of
the E string (can play with your left thumb) and then strum a regular D chord
whilst the bass note rings out - same with an open E followed by a regular C chord.
Intro sequence:
    G      G      D/F#       C/Ex2
Verse Chords:
e|---G3--------D2--------C0------G5/F#--3---|
B|---3--------3--------1--------3---|
G|---0--------2--------0--------0---|
D|---0--------0--------2--------0---|
A|---2-----------------3--------x---|
E|---3--------------------------2*--|
* see above note re: bass notes
Verse sequence:
G           D  C  G
G           D  C  G      G5/F#
Bridge Chords:
e|--Em-0--------B--------Am-0------Dsus4--3---|
B|---0--------4--------1--------3---|
G|---0--------4--------2--------2---|
D|---2--------4--------2--------0---|
A|---2--------2--------0------------|
E|---0------------------------------|
Chorus Chords:
          C          D        G       G5/F#         Em        Bm     Cmaj7Cmaj7add6  D/A  
e|--0------2--------3--------3--------0--------2--------0--------0--------2--|
B|--1------3--------3--------3--------0--------3--------0--------0--------3--|
G|--0------2--------0--------0--------0--------4--------0--------2--------2--|
D|--2------0--------0--------0--------2--------4--------2--------2--------0--|
A|--3---------------2--------x--------2--------2--------3--------3--------0--|
E|------------------3--------2--------0--------------------------------------|
Chorus sequence:
C        D        G    G5/F#    Em    D
C        D        Bm        C    D
C        D        G    G5/F#    Em
     C      Cmaj7Cmaj7add6        Cmaj7  D/A  
[Intro]
G    G    D/F#    C/E
G    G    D/F#    C/E
[Verse 1]
GIt was a theme she had on a scheme he had Dtold in a Cforeign Gland
GTo take life on earth to the second birth, and the Dman was Cin Gcommand
    G       G/F#It was a Emflight on the wings of a Byoung girl's dreams
That Gflew too far Amaway...Dsus4  D  
[Chorus]
CDon't push too Dfar, your dreams are Gchina G/F#in your EmhandD  
CDon't wish too Dhard because they Bmmay come true, and yCou can't hDelp
Cthem, You don't know Dwhat you might have Gset G/F#upon yoursEmelf
      C     C    Cmaj7Cmaj7add6     Cmaj7  D/A  
                                     China in your hand
[Instrumental]
G    G    D/F#    C/E
G    G    D/F#    C/E
[Verse 2]
GCome from greed, never born of the seed, took a lifDe from a baCrren hanGd
GOh, eyes wide, like a chDild in the fCorm of Gman
    G        G/F#A Emprophecy for a fBantasy,
The cGurse of a vivid Ammind…Dsus4  D  
[Chorus]
CDon't push too Dfar, your dreams are Gchina G/F#in your EmhandD  
CDon't wish too Dhard because they Bmmay come true, and yCou can't hDelp
Cthem, you don't know Dwhat you might have Gset G/F#upon yoursEmelf
      C     C    Cmaj7Cmaj7add6     Cmaj7  D/A  
                                            China in your hand
[Bridge]
     G       G          D/F#  C/EWhoa your
 Ghand     G          D/F#  C/EYour
GhandG  D/F#  C/E  G  
N.C.
[Instrumental Chorus]
C              D                 G     G/F#    Em    D
C              D                 Bm            C     D
C              D                 G     G/F#    Em
              C     C    Cmaj7Cmaj7add6       Cmaj7  D/A  
[Chorus]
CDon't push too Dfar, your dreams are Gchina G/F#in your EmhandD  
CDon't wish too Dhard because they Bmmay come true, and yCou can't hDelp
Cthem, you don't know Dwhat you might have Gset G/F#upon yoursEmelf
      C     C    Cmaj7Cmaj7add6       Cmaj7  D/A  
                              But you shouldn't push too hard, no no
CDon't push too Dfar, your dreams are Gchina G/F#in your EmhandD  
CDon't wish too Dhard because they Bmmay come true, and yCou can't hDelp
Cthem, you don't know Dwhat you might have Gset G/F#upon yoursEmelf
      C     C    Cmaj7Cmaj7add6        Cmaj7  D/A  
  'cause they're only dreams     and you shouldn't push too hard, no no  (fade...)

All chords in this song (14)

The story behind the song

"China In Your Hand" by T'Pau is a song that explores the fragility of dreams and schemes, especially those that might fly too far away. The lyrics, particularly in the longer album version, draw inspiration from Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein, hinting at ambitious creations that may get out of control. The title itself, as explained by lyricist Carol Decker, refers to the transparency of holding a china cup to the light, where you can see your hand through it—suggesting something delicate and easily seen through. Released as a single in 1987 from their debut album Bridge of Spies, this song plays like a thoughtful caution against pushing too hard.

AI-written from these sources:China in Your Hand — Wikipedia ↗T'Pau (band) — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

China In Your Hand

China In Your Hand

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China In Your Hand

by T'Pau

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D/F#

C/E

G5/F#

Dsus4

Cmaj7

D/A

G/F#

Intro Chords:

G D/F# C/E

e|---3--------2--------0---|

B|---3--------3--------1---|

G|---0--------2--------0---|

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

A|---2-----------------3---|

E|---3--------2*-------0*--|

* During the intro it sounds good to alternate between the bass notes on the low E

string and strumming the rest of the chord so on the D/F# you play the 2nd fret of

the E string (can play with your left thumb) and then strum a regular D chord

whilst the bass note rings out - same with an open E followed by a regular C chord.

Intro sequence:

G G D/F# C/E

Verse Chords:

G D C G5/F#

e|---3--------2--------0--------3---|

B|---3--------3--------1--------3---|

G|---0--------2--------0--------0---|

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

A|---2-----------------3--------x---|

E|---3--------------------------2*--|

* see above note re: bass notes

Verse sequence:

G D C G

G D C G G5/F#

Bridge Chords:

Em B Am Dsus4

e|---0-----------------0--------3---|

B|---0--------4--------1--------3---|

G|---0--------4--------2--------2---|

D|---2--------4--------2--------0---|

A|---2--------2--------0------------|

E|---0------------------------------|

Chorus Chords:

C D G G5/F# Em Bm Cmaj7 D/A

Cmaj7add6

e|--0------2--------3--------3--------0--------2--------0--------0--------2--|

B|--1------3--------3--------3--------0--------3--------0--------0--------3--|

G|--0------2--------0--------0--------0--------4--------0--------2--------2--|

D|--2------0--------0--------0--------2--------4--------2--------2--------0--|

A|--3---------------2--------x--------2--------2--------3--------3--------0--|

E|------------------3--------2--------0--------------------------------------|

Chorus sequence:

C D G G5/F# Em D

C D Bm C D

C D G G5/F# Em

C Cmaj7 Cmaj7 D/A

Cmaj7add6

[Intro]

G G D/F# C/E

[Verse 1]

G D C G

It was a theme she had on a scheme he had told in a foreign land

G D C G

To take life on earth to the second birth, and the man was in command

G G/F# Em B

It was a flight on the wings of a young girl's dreams

G Am Dsus4 D

That flew too far away...

[Chorus]

C D G G/F# Em D

Don't push too far, your dreams are china in your hand

C D Bm C D

Don't wish too hard because they may come true, and you can't help

C D G G/F# Em

them, You don't know what you might have set upon yourself

C C Cmaj7 Cmaj7 D/A

Cmaj7add6

China in your hand

[Instrumental]

G G D/F# C/E

[Verse 2]

G D C G

Come from greed, never born of the seed, took a life from a barren hand

G D C G

Oh, eyes wide, like a child in the form of man

G G/F# Em B

A prophecy for a fantasy,

G Am Dsus4 D

The curse of a vivid mind…

[Chorus]

C D G G/F# Em D

Don't push too far, your dreams are china in your hand

C D Bm C D

Don't wish too hard because they may come true, and you can't help

C D G G/F# Em

them, you don't know what you might have set upon yourself

C C Cmaj7 Cmaj7 D/A

Cmaj7add6

China in your hand

[Bridge]

G G D/F# C/E

Whoa your

G G D/F# C/E

hand Your

G G D/F# C/E G

hand

N.C.

[Instrumental Chorus]

C D G G/F# Em D

C D Bm C D

C D G G/F# Em

C C Cmaj7 Cmaj7 D/A

Cmaj7add6

[Chorus]

C D G G/F# Em D

Don't push too far, your dreams are china in your hand

C D Bm C D

Don't wish too hard because they may come true, and you can't help

C D G G/F# Em

them, you don't know what you might have set upon yourself

C C Cmaj7 Cmaj7 D/A

Cmaj7add6

But you shouldn't push too hard, no no

C D G G/F# Em D

Don't push too far, your dreams are china in your hand

C D Bm C D

Don't wish too hard because they may come true, and you can't help

C D G G/F# Em

them, you don't know what you might have set upon yourself

C C Cmaj7 Cmaj7 D/A

Cmaj7add6

'cause they're only dreams and you shouldn't push too hard, no no (fade...)

About China In Your Hand Chords by T'Pau

Learn how to play China In Your Hand by T'Pau with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “China In Your Hand chords”, “China In Your Hand guitar chords”, or “T'Pau China In Your Hand 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 China In Your Hand chords and for experienced players who want accurate China In Your Hand lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, D/F#, C/E, B, D, A.

FAQ — China In Your Hand by T'Pau

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What key is "China In Your Hand" in?

The chords for "China In Your Hand" show the original chord names (including G, D/F#, C/E, B, D, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.