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Piratess

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Eminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

The same chord progression is used throughout the entire song.  Also, these are the same 
chords used in a much earlier Okkervil River song titled "Murderess."
[Verse 1]
EmWh-oCooo wrote those Bmlines on the Amwall?
Let's Gretrace F#mwhere they Emscrawled ancient Dcharacters.
EmIt's 2C:00, and your sBmister's slip Amfalls,
and the Gafternoon F#mcrawls Emacross the room and tDackles her.
[Chorus 1]
I don't tEmhink that you would Csink that ship that's Bmonly passing Amthrough,
because I Gdon't F#mbelieve thaEmt you might be a Dmurderess.
But I Emsaw inside each Csmall, dark eye as Bmit was turning Amblue,
all the sGtrengtF#mh inside to Emdo just what the Dcaptain says and hang the rest.
[Verse 2]
EmMoveCd by the rhyme iBmn the psalm,Am  
we agreed Athat G#mit was wrongEm, and to believe Din it.
EmOoohC!, swooned the wBmall all nighAmt long.
But a lieG's a lF#mie, no matteEmr what guy's breaDth's in it.
[Chorus 2]
EmI doCn't know that I Bmwould go thaAmt far down some dark avenue,
with a whAisperiG#mng crew of sEmhadows all protecDting it.
EmBut CI saw inside eacBmh small whitAme lie, as it was turning true,
the abiliAty to G#mdo all thingEms expected of it.D  
[Verse 3]
Oh, murEmderess, in the wilCderness, with your vBmictims all around Amyou.
As their Gcombined love F#mforms a Empool your knife's Dreflected in,
now I'm rEmeady, too, with my tChroat to you.
On this Bmmountain. By this Ammoon.
And wGhat I F#mwant the Emmost to do is prove that I'm Dnot like them.

All chords in this song (9)

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Piratess

by Okkervil River

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

G#m

The same chord progression is used throughout the entire song. Also, these are the same

chords used in a much earlier Okkervil River song titled "Murderess."

[Verse 1]

Em C Bm Am

Wh-oooo wrote those lines on the wall?

G F#m Em D

Let's retrace where they scrawled ancient characters.

Em C Bm Am

It's 2:00, and your sister's slip falls,

G F#m Em D

and the afternoon crawls across the room and tackles her.

[Chorus 1]

Em C Bm Am

I don't think that you would sink that ship that's only passing through,

G F#m Em D

because I don't believe that you might be a murderess.

Em C Bm Am

But I saw inside each small, dark eye as it was turning blue,

G F#m Em D

all the strength inside to do just what the captain says and hang the rest.

[Verse 2]

Em C Bm Am

Moved by the rhyme in the psalm,

A G#m Em D

we agreed that it was wrong, and to believe in it.

Em C Bm Am

Oooh!, swooned the wall all night long.

G F#m Em D

But a lie's a lie, no matter what guy's breath's in it.

[Chorus 2]

Em C Bm Am

I don't know that I would go that far down some dark avenue,

A G#m Em D

with a whispering crew of shadows all protecting it.

Em C Bm Am

But I saw inside each small white lie, as it was turning true,

A G#m Em D

the ability to do all things expected of it.

[Verse 3]

Em C Bm Am

Oh, murderess, in the wilderness, with your victims all around you.

G F#m Em D

As their combined love forms a pool your knife's reflected in,

Em C

now I'm ready, too, with my throat to you.

Bm Am

On this mountain. By this moon.

G F#m Em D

And what I want the most to do is prove that I'm not like them.

About Piratess Chords by Okkervil River

Learn how to play Piratess by Okkervil River with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Piratess chords”, “Piratess guitar chords”, or “Okkervil River Piratess 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 Piratess chords and for experienced players who want accurate Piratess lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, C, Bm, Am, G, F#m.

FAQ — Piratess by Okkervil River

How do I play "Piratess" by Okkervil River on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Piratess" by Okkervil River free?

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Can I transpose "Piratess" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Piratess"?

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

Is "Piratess" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Piratess" by Okkervil River with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Okkervil River below.

What key is "Piratess" in?

The chords for "Piratess" show the original chord names (including Em, C, Bm, Am, G, F#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.