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Manuscript

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Dmajor

90BPM

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1/16

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 16Position: 2

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

This Is the Small part he does on the G, and comes in Every so often.
e|-D2--2-2--2--2-2-|-G--3--3-2-3-2-0----|
B|-3--3-3--3--3-3-|---3--3-3-3-3-3--3-|
G|-2--2-2--2--2-2-|---0--0-0-0-0-0--0-|
D|-0--0-0--0--0-0-|-----------------0-|
A|----------------|-------------------|
E|----------------|-3-----------------| X2
[Verse 1]
DPrince Louis Battenberg is Amburning the Admiralty liGghts down low
DSilently sifting through Apapers sealed with a Gcrown
DAdmiral Lord Fisher is Amwriting to Churchill, cGalling for more DDreadnoughts
The houses in AHackney are all falling Gdown
And my graDndmother sits on the bAeach in the days before the wDar
FYoung girl writing her diary,    while time seems to paGuse
BbWatching the waves as they come one by one to die on the Dmshore
Kissing the BbfeeeeeeAeeeeet Ebof EnglDand.
G D G D
[Verse 2]
Oh the Dlights of Saint Petersburg Amcome on as usual
GAlthough the air seems Dcharged with a strangeness of Alate, yet there's nothing to Gtouch
And the DTsar in his great Winter AmPalace has called for the fGoreign news
An Darchduke was shot down in ABosnia, but nothing Gmuch
And my graDndmother sits before the mAirror in the days before the wDar
FSmiling a secret smile     as she goes to the doGor
And the Bbyoung man rides off in his carriage, homeward once Dmmore
And the sun sets BbgentlyyyyyyAyyyyyy Ebon EnglDand.
G D G D
[Verse 3]
Ah the Dday we decided to Amdrive down to Worthing, it rGained and rained
DGiving us only a Aminute to stand by the Gsea
And Dcrunching my way through the Amshingles, it seemed there was nGothing changed
Though the Djetty was maybe more Ascarred that I'd known it to Gbe
And MDandi and I stood and stAared at the overcast sDky
Where tFen years ago we had stood, my Grandfather and GI
And the Bbwaves still rushed in as they had the year that he Dmdied
And it Bbseemed that my lifetime was shrunken and lost in the Dmtide
As it rose and fell on the BbsideeeeeAeeeeee Ebof EnglDand
G D G D
DPrince Louis Battenberg is Amburning the Admiralty lights

All chords in this song (8)

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Manuscript

by Al Stewart

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

This Is the Small part he does on the G, and comes in Every so often.

D G

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

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

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

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

A|----------------|-------------------|

E|----------------|-3-----------------| X2

[Verse 1]

D Am G

Prince Louis Battenberg is burning the Admiralty lights down low

D A G

Silently sifting through papers sealed with a crown

D Am G D

Admiral Lord Fisher is writing to Churchill, calling for more Dreadnoughts

A G

The houses in Hackney are all falling down

D A D

And my grandmother sits on the beach in the days before the war

F G

Young girl writing her diary, while time seems to pause

Bb Dm

Watching the waves as they come one by one to die on the shore

Bb A Eb D

Kissing the feeeeeeeeeeet of England.

G D G D

[Verse 2]

D Am

Oh the lights of Saint Petersburg come on as usual

G D A G

Although the air seems charged with a strangeness of late, yet there's nothing to touch

D Am G

And the Tsar in his great Winter Palace has called for the foreign news

D A G

An archduke was shot down in Bosnia, but nothing much

D A D

And my grandmother sits before the mirror in the days before the war

F G

Smiling a secret smile as she goes to the door

Bb Dm

And the young man rides off in his carriage, homeward once more

Bb A Eb D

And the sun sets gentlyyyyyyyyyyyy on England.

G D G D

[Verse 3]

D Am G

Ah the day we decided to drive down to Worthing, it rained and rained

D A G

Giving us only a minute to stand by the sea

D Am G

And crunching my way through the shingles, it seemed there was nothing changed

D A G

Though the jetty was maybe more scarred that I'd known it to be

D A D

And Mandi and I stood and stared at the overcast sky

F G

Where ten years ago we had stood, my Grandfather and I

Bb Dm

And the waves still rushed in as they had the year that he died

Bb Dm

And it seemed that my lifetime was shrunken and lost in the tide

Bb A Eb D

As it rose and fell on the sideeeeeeeeeee of England

G D G D

D Am

Prince Louis Battenberg is burning the Admiralty lights

About Manuscript Chords by Al Stewart

Learn how to play Manuscript by Al Stewart with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Manuscript chords”, “Manuscript guitar chords”, or “Al Stewart Manuscript 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 Manuscript chords and for experienced players who want accurate Manuscript lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, D, B, A, E, Am.

FAQ — Manuscript by Al Stewart

How do I play "Manuscript" by Al Stewart on guitar?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Manuscript"?

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

Is "Manuscript" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Manuscript" in?

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