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Powderfinger

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Powderfinger
Neil Young
GLook out, Ma, there's a Cwhite boat comin' up the Griver
With a Cbig red beacon and a flag and a man on the raiGl
I think you'd Cbetter call John
'cause it don't look like they're here to dBmeliver the maCil
And it's lBmess than a mile aCway
I Bmhope they didn't come to Cstay
It's got Bmnumbers on the side and a Cgun
                     D////’////  G////     C  G  
and it's makin' big waves
B|3-3-3--1-0---1-0-----|
G|-----------2-----0---|
GDaddy's gone and my Cbrother's out huntin' in the Gmountains
Big CJohn's been drinkin' since the river took Emmy GLou
So the Cpowers that be left me here to do the tBmhinkin'C  
And I Bmjust turned twenty-Ctwo
I was Bmwonderin' what to Cdo
And the Bmcloser they got
                       C   D////’////  G////     C  G  
The more those feelin's grew
B|3-3-3--1-0---1-0-----|
G|-----------2-----0---|
Jam here -->
 G////’////’////  C////  G////’////  C////’////  G////’////
 C////’////  Bm////  C////  Bm////  C//// Bm  
//// C//// Bm////  C////  D////’////’////  G////     C  G  
GDaddy's rifle in my Chand felt reaGssurin’
He told me C"Red means run, son, and numbers add up to Gnothin'"
When the Cfirst shot hit the dock I saw it Bmcomin'C  
Raised my Bmrifle to my Ceye
Never Bmstopped to wonder Cwhy
                      Bm                      C   D////’////  G////    C  G  
Then I saw black and my face splashed in the sky
B|3-3-3--1-0---1-0-----|
G|-----------2-----0---|
- then Jam again -->
 G////’////’////  C////  G////’////  C////’////  G////’////
 C////’////  Bm////  C////  Bm////  C////  Bm////
 G////  Bm////C ////  D////’////’////  G////
C    G
GShelter me from the Cpowder and the Gfinger
CCover me with the thought that pulled the Gtrigger
Just Cthink of me as one you never fBmiguredC  
Would Bmfade away so Cyoung
BmSo much left unCdone
                Bm                   C   D////’////  G////    C  G  
Remember me to my love, I know I'll miss her
** Just a lick -->
|--------------------|    |--------------------|
|3-3-3-1-0---1-0-----|    |--------------------|
|-----------2-----0--|    |7-7-7-5-4-0-5-4-0---|
|--------------------| OR |--------------------|
|--------------------|    |--------------------|
|--------------------|    |--------------------|
(add a little spice with a quick C->G at the end of the 1st two lines of each verse)

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

"Powderfinger" tells the harrowing story of a young man caught in an impossible situation, forced to defend his family against an approaching gunboat when all the older men are absent. The lyrics are a posthumous narration, describing his indecision, his eventual brave action, and his ultimate demise, with his face "splashed in the sky." The song, released on the 1979 album Rust Never Sleeps, combines traditional folk storytelling with incendiary rock and roll, featuring mythical guitar solos that heighten the dramatic tension. It's a powerful narrative about sacrifice and a life cut tragically short.

AI-written from these sources:Powderfinger (song) — Wikipedia ↗Neil Young — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

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

Powderfinger

by Neil Young

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Powderfinger

Neil Young

G C G

Look out, Ma, there's a white boat comin' up the river

C G

With a big red beacon and a flag and a man on the rail

I think you'd better call John

Bm C

'cause it don't look like they're here to deliver the mail

Bm C

And it's less than a mile away

Bm C

I hope they didn't come to stay

Bm C

It's got numbers on the side and a gun

D G C G

////’//// ////

and it's makin' big waves

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

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

G C G

Daddy's gone and my brother's out huntin' in the mountains

C G

Big John's been drinkin' since the river took Emmy Lou

C Bm C

So the powers that be left me here to do the thinkin'

Bm C

And I just turned twenty-two

Bm C

I was wonderin' what to do

And the closer they got

C D G C G

////’//// ////

The more those feelin's grew

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

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

Jam here -->

G C G C G

////’////’//// //// ////’//// ////’//// ////’////

C Bm C Bm C Bm

////’//// //// //// //// ////

C D G C G

//// C//// Bm//// //// ////’////’//// ////

G C G

Daddy's rifle in my hand felt reassurin’

C G

He told me "Red means run, son, and numbers add up to nothin'"

C Bm C

When the first shot hit the dock I saw it comin'

Bm C

Raised my rifle to my eye

Bm C

Never stopped to wonder why

Bm C D G C G

////’//// ////

Then I saw black and my face splashed in the sky

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

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

- then Jam again -->

G C G C G

////’////’//// //// ////’//// ////’//// ////’////

C Bm C Bm C Bm

////’//// //// //// //// //// ////

G Bm D G

//// ////C //// ////’////’//// ////

C G

G C G

Shelter me from the powder and the finger

C G

Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger

C Bm C

Just think of me as one you never figured

Bm C

Would fade away so young

Bm C

So much left undone

Bm C D G C G

////’//// ////

Remember me to my love, I know I'll miss her

** Just a lick -->

|--------------------| |--------------------|

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

|-----------2-----0--| |7-7-7-5-4-0-5-4-0---|

|--------------------| OR |--------------------|

|--------------------| |--------------------|

(add a little spice with a quick C->G at the end of the 1st two lines of each verse)

About Powderfinger Chords by Neil Young

Learn how to play Powderfinger by Neil Young with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Powderfinger chords”, “Powderfinger guitar chords”, or “Neil Young Powderfinger 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 Powderfinger chords and for experienced players who want accurate Powderfinger lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, Bm, D, B.

FAQ — Powderfinger by Neil Young

How do I play "Powderfinger" by Neil Young on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Powderfinger" by Neil Young 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 "Powderfinger" by Neil Young free?

Yes. The chords for "Powderfinger" by Neil Young are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Powderfinger" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Powderfinger"?

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

Is "Powderfinger" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Powderfinger" in?

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