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Present Tense

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Bminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Intro: Bm  
(Occasionally hammer on and off from the D, G, and B strings. This may not be right, but 
it sounds alright.)
BmNaked and retched and retching on a hotel Gbathroom floor,
Asomewhere in the City
BmThree days no sleeping, not eating, not feeling Ggood anymore
Drenched in Asweat and self-pity Emnow, it's not a pretty sightG  
GWhat to Asay in my Bmdefense,G  
GI Awas imperfect Bmtense
G                 A              D          A
GUseEmd to have such balance, but I don't know where it went
EmSo won't you Abe my present senseBm  
Bm(Occasionally hammer on and off from 4th fret to 2nd on the D string)
BmBreaking, I'm shaking, it's taking a long long Gtime
To come down off this Amurderous medication
BmTrying to remember, my reasons for running Gmyself
into the Aground with such dediEmcationG  
GWhat to Asay in my Bmdefense,G  
GI Awas imperfect Bmtense
G                 A              D          A
GUseEmd to have such balance, but I don't know where it went
           Em               A   Cadd9-    A   Em7- A  
So won't you be my present sense,     sense
Cos Bmit's Anot Gmeant Dto Abe
DI Gam Bmlost Aat Gsea
So EmmerDmaids Asing Gto Ame
Of the Dbetter times and the things that can be
Like the Bmdiamonds in the Mediterranean sea
Or the Dbeatings and sleeping and times that I took
And of Bmwashing the drink and the drugs from my blood
And I've Gnothing to say in Amy defense
I'm Gfar from perfect AI'm still tense
They Gsay that love can Achange you once
Please Gsay that love can Achange me once
Come on Gchange me
End on G

All chords in this song (7)

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Present Tense

by Frank Turner

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Cadd9

Em7

Intro:

(Occasionally hammer on and off from the D, G, and B strings. This may not be right, but

it sounds alright.)

Bm G

Naked and retched and retching on a hotel bathroom floor,

somewhere in the City

Bm G

Three days no sleeping, not eating, not feeling good anymore

A Em G

Drenched in sweat and self-pity now, it's not a pretty sight

G A Bm G

What to say in my defense,

G A Bm

I was imperfect tense

G A D A

G Em

Used to have such balance, but I don't know where it went

Em A Bm

So won't you be my present sense

(Occasionally hammer on and off from 4th fret to 2nd on the D string)

Bm G

Breaking, I'm shaking, it's taking a long long time

To come down off this murderous medication

Bm G

Trying to remember, my reasons for running myself

A Em G

into the ground with such dedication

G A Bm G

What to say in my defense,

G A Bm

I was imperfect tense

G A D A

G Em

Used to have such balance, but I don't know where it went

Em A Cadd9 A Em7 A

- -

So won't you be my present sense, sense

Bm A G D A

Cos it's not meant to be

D G Bm A G

I am lost at sea

Em D A G A

So mermaids sing to me

Of the better times and the things that can be

Like the diamonds in the Mediterranean sea

Or the beatings and sleeping and times that I took

And of washing the drink and the drugs from my blood

G A

And I've nothing to say in my defense

G A

I'm far from perfect I'm still tense

G A

They say that love can change you once

G A

Please say that love can change me once

Come on change me

End on G

About Present Tense Chords by Frank Turner

Learn how to play Present Tense by Frank Turner with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Present Tense chords”, “Present Tense guitar chords”, or “Frank Turner Present Tense 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 Present Tense chords and for experienced players who want accurate Present Tense lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Bm, D, G, B, A, Em.

FAQ — Present Tense by Frank Turner

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

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

Is "Present Tense" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Present Tense" in?

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