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When You Are Old

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

The chords are best played in a fingerpicking style
IGNORE THE CHORD BOX DIAGRAMS that the website
option for a particular chord progression. Just use
D5       = xx0235    D/C   = x30232
Dsus2/F# = 200230    G/B   = x20033
Gadd9    = 3x0203    Gm/A# = x10033
G        = 320003    Fm/C# = x44222
Em7      = 022030    F#m   = 244222
A7       = x02020    Bm    = x24432 or xxxx432
A7sus4   = x02030    BmM7  = x20332 or xxxx332
D/F#     = 200232    Bm7/A = x04232 or xxxx232
A        = x02220    E7/G# = 4x2400 or xxxx132
Asus4    = x02230    Dsus4 = xx0233
D        = xx0232    D5    = xx0235
The Bm progression in the Bridge has a descending
bass note, and to be accurate should have a A# bass
on the BmM7 chord, but I find the simplest way is to
play the chord progression on the top 3 strings only  
[Intro]
| D5/  /  Dsus2/F#/  / | /  Gadd9/  /  D/F#/ | Em7/  /  A7/  / | D/  /  A7sus4/  / |
[Verse 1]
   DWhen  Dsus2/F#you  are old,     Gadd9...and tired and grey,
   GAnd D/F#wear your over - Em7coat on sunny Adays,Asus4  
   DWhen D/Cyour brave tales have G/Ball been Gm/A#told,
   DI'll A7ask for them  D...when you are oldA7sus4  
[Verse 2]
   DWhen  Dsus2/F#you are old,     Gadd9...and full of sleep,
   GAnd D/F#death no longer Em7makes you Aweep,Asus4  
    D       D/CWhen your body G/Baches with Gm/A#cold,
    DI'll A7warm your heart  D...when you are old
[Bridge]
   D         Fm/C#      BmAnd you'll F#mstill be the Gsame to Dme,
    GA comfort,    D/F#...and a Em7myster - A7y,
    BmAnd I will BmM7be old Bm7/Atoo,  you E7/G#see,
    GI'll need someone     A7sus4...to comfort A7me
| D5/  /  Dsus2/F#/  / | /  Gadd9/  /  D/F#/ | Em7/  /  A7/  / | D/  /  A7sus4/  / |
[Verse 3]
   DWhen  Dsus2/F#you are old,    Gadd9...and pale and gaunt,
   GAnd a D/F#gentle hand   Em7...is all you Awant,Asus4  
   D  D/CI will give you G/Bmine to Gm/A#hold,
   DI'll be A7here  D...when you are old,A7  
   DOh,  D/CI will give you G/Bmine to Gm/A#hold,
   DI'll be A7here D...when youDsus2/F#-------- are Gadd9old----!D/F#  
      Em7          A7      D(Dsus4) (D5)
|  /  /  /  /  |  /  /  /  /  |  /  ||

All chords in this song (21)

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When You Are Old

by Gretchen Peters

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dsus2/F#

Gadd9

D/F#

Em7

A7sus4

Asus4

D/C

G/B

Gm/A#

Fm/C#

F#m

BmM7

Bm7/A

E7/G#

Dsus4

The chords are best played in a fingerpicking style

IGNORE THE CHORD BOX DIAGRAMS that the website

option for a particular chord progression. Just use

D5 = xx0235 D/C = x30232

Dsus2/F# = 200230 G/B = x20033

Gadd9 = 3x0203 Gm/A# = x10033

G = 320003 Fm/C# = x44222

Em7 = 022030 F#m = 244222

A7 = x02020 Bm = x24432 or xxxx432

A7sus4 = x02030 BmM7 = x20332 or xxxx332

D/F# = 200232 Bm7/A = x04232 or xxxx232

A = x02220 E7/G# = 4x2400 or xxxx132

Asus4 = x02230 Dsus4 = xx0233

D = xx0232 D5 = xx0235

The Bm progression in the Bridge has a descending

bass note, and to be accurate should have a A# bass

on the BmM7 chord, but I find the simplest way is to

play the chord progression on the top 3 strings only

[Intro]

D5 Dsus2/F# Gadd9 D/F# Em7 A7 D A7sus4

| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |

[Verse 1]

D Dsus2/F# Gadd9

When you are old, ...and tired and grey,

G D/F# Em7 A Asus4

And wear your over - coat on sunny days,

D D/C G/B Gm/A#

When your brave tales have all been told,

D A7 D A7sus4

I'll ask for them ...when you are old

[Verse 2]

D Dsus2/F# Gadd9

When you are old, ...and full of sleep,

G D/F# Em7 A Asus4

And death no longer makes you weep,

D D/C G/B Gm/A#

When your body aches with cold,

D A7 D

I'll warm your heart ...when you are old

[Bridge]

D Fm/C# Bm F#m G D

And you'll still be the same to me,

G D/F# Em7 A7

A comfort, ...and a myster - y,

Bm BmM7 Bm7/A E7/G#

And I will be old too, you see,

G A7sus4 A7

I'll need someone ...to comfort me

D5 Dsus2/F# Gadd9 D/F# Em7 A7 D A7sus4

| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |

[Verse 3]

D Dsus2/F# Gadd9

When you are old, ...and pale and gaunt,

G D/F# Em7 A Asus4

And a gentle hand ...is all you want,

D D/C G/B Gm/A#

I will give you mine to hold,

D A7 D A7

I'll be here ...when you are old,

D D/C G/B Gm/A#

Oh, I will give you mine to hold,

D A7 D Dsus2/F# Gadd9 D/F#

I'll be here ...when you-------- are old----!

Em7 A7 D Dsus4 D5

() ()

| / / / / | / / / / | / ||

About When You Are Old Chords by Gretchen Peters

Learn how to play When You Are Old by Gretchen Peters with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “When You Are Old chords”, “When You Are Old guitar chords”, or “Gretchen Peters When You Are Old 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 When You Are Old chords and for experienced players who want accurate When You Are Old lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D/C, Dsus2/F, G/B, Gadd9, Gm/A, G.

FAQ — When You Are Old by Gretchen Peters

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What key is "When You Are Old" in?

The chords for "When You Are Old" show the original chord names (including D/C, Dsus2/F, G/B, Gadd9, Gm/A, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.