Now playing

Nothing But A Child

Chords

4.661 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Nothing But a Child
Steve Earle
[Verse 1]
GOnce upon a time   Cmaj7in a far off lanD/F#d
CWise men saw a D/F#sign   and Cset out 'D/F#cross the saGnd
GSongs of praise to sing   they Cmaj7travelled day and nD/F#ight
CPrecious gifts to bD/F#ring   gCuided bD/F#y the liGght
[Verse 2]
They Gchased a brand new star   Cmaj7ever towards the wD/F#est
ACcross the mountains fD/F#ar   but Cwhen it cD/F#ame to reGst
They Gscarce believed their eyes   They'd Cmaj7come so many miD/F#les
And this Cmiracle they prD/F#ized   was nCothing bD/F#ut a Gchild
[Chorus]
CNothing bGut a chCild   could Gwash those tG/F#ears awEm7ay
Or Cguide a weary wD/F#orld   inCto the lD/F#ight of daGy
And Cnothing bGut a chCild   could Ghelp eG/F#rase those mEm7iles
So Conce again we aD/F#ll   can be chCildren fD/F#or a Gwhile
[Instrumental]
(G)
Cmaj7    D/F#
C    D/F#
C  D/F#  G
[Verse 3]
Now Gall around the world   in Cmaj7every little tD/F#own
CEvery day is heD/F#ard   a pCrecious lD/F#ittle souGnd
And Gevery mother kind   and Cmaj7every father prD/F#oud
Looks Cdown in awe to fD/F#ind   aCnother cD/F#hance aGllowed
[Chorus]
CNothing bGut a chCild   could Gwash those tG/F#ears awEm7ay
Or Cguide a weary wD/F#orld   inCto the lD/F#ight of daGy
And Cnothing bGut a chCild   could Ghelp eG/F#rase those mEm7iles
So Conce again we aD/F#ll   can be chCildren fD/F#or a Gwhile
[Outro]
(G)
Cmaj7    D/F#
CNothing but a D/F#little baby
CNothing bD/F#ut a chGildG  

All chords in this song (6)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

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

Nothing But A Child

by Steve Earle

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Cmaj7

D/F#

G/F#

Em7

Nothing But a Child

Steve Earle

[Verse 1]

G Cmaj7 D/F#

Once upon a time in a far off land

C D/F# C D/F# G

Wise men saw a sign and set out 'cross the sand

G Cmaj7 D/F#

Songs of praise to sing they travelled day and night

C D/F# C D/F# G

Precious gifts to bring guided by the light

[Verse 2]

G Cmaj7 D/F#

They chased a brand new star ever towards the west

C D/F# C D/F# G

Across the mountains far but when it came to rest

G Cmaj7 D/F#

They scarce believed their eyes They'd come so many miles

C D/F# C D/F# G

And this miracle they prized was nothing but a child

[Chorus]

C G C G G/F# Em7

Nothing but a child could wash those tears away

C D/F# C D/F# G

Or guide a weary world into the light of day

C G C G G/F# Em7

And nothing but a child could help erase those miles

C D/F# C D/F# G

So once again we all can be children for a while

[Instrumental]

()

Cmaj7 D/F#

C D/F#

C D/F# G

[Verse 3]

G Cmaj7 D/F#

Now all around the world in every little town

C D/F# C D/F# G

Every day is heard a precious little sound

G Cmaj7 D/F#

And every mother kind and every father proud

C D/F# C D/F# G

Looks down in awe to find another chance allowed

[Chorus]

C G C G G/F# Em7

Nothing but a child could wash those tears away

C D/F# C D/F# G

Or guide a weary world into the light of day

C G C G G/F# Em7

And nothing but a child could help erase those miles

C D/F# C D/F# G

So once again we all can be children for a while

[Outro]

()

Cmaj7 D/F#

C D/F#

Nothing but a little baby

C D/F# G G

Nothing but a child

About Nothing But A Child Chords by Steve Earle

Learn how to play Nothing But A Child by Steve Earle with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Nothing But A Child chords”, “Nothing But A Child guitar chords”, or “Steve Earle Nothing But A Child 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 Nothing But A Child chords and for experienced players who want accurate Nothing But A Child lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, Cmaj7, D/F#, C, G/F#, Em7.

FAQ — Nothing But A Child by Steve Earle

How do I play "Nothing But A Child" by Steve Earle on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Nothing But A Child" by Steve Earle 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 "Nothing But A Child" by Steve Earle free?

Yes. The chords for "Nothing But A Child" by Steve Earle are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Nothing But A Child" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Nothing But A Child" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Nothing But A Child"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Nothing But A Child" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Nothing But A Child" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Nothing But A Child" by Steve Earle with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Steve Earle below.

What key is "Nothing But A Child" in?

The chords for "Nothing But A Child" show the original chord names (including G, Cmaj7, D/F#, C, G/F#, Em7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.