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All I Could Do Was Cry

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Capo on fret 1 (as written in this song)

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CAPO 1
[Intro]
G Em C D
[Verse 1]
I Gheard   Am  Dchurch Gbells DmringG7  
I Cheard   Da choir GsingingDm  G7  
CI saw my Dlove walk Gdown the Emaisle
                        A7          D7N.C.
on her finger   he placed a ring, wooah
[Verse 2]
I Gsaw them   Am  Dholding GhandsDm  G7  
She was stCanding there   Dwith my GmanDm  G7  
CI heard them pDromise, "'Til deGath do us CparCmt"
Each Gword Emwas a Ampain D7in my Gheart,   Am  G7/Booh oh
[Chorus] 
CAll I could doD, all I could do was crGyEm  
CAll I couDld do was GcryDm  G7  
CI was Dlosing the Gman that I CloveCm  
and Gall   I could Amdo   D7was cryG  Am  D7  
[Verse 3] 
And  Gnow   the wedding Amis DoGverDm  G7  
CRice, rice has been Dthrown over their heGadsDm  G7  
  CFor them Dlife has Gjust beCgunCm  
but Gmine  is Amen---enD7ding,    G  Amooh G7/Boh
[Chorus]
All, all CI could dDo, all I could do was cGryEm  
CAll I coDuld do was GcryDm  G7  
  CI was Dlosing   Gthe man that I Emlove
and Call I could Ddo was Gcry      Emand
and Call I could Ddo was Gcry

All chords in this song (11)

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All I Could Do Was Cry

by Etta James

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 1 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

G7/B

CAPO 1

[Intro]

G Em C D

[Verse 1]

G Am D G Dm G7

I heard church bells ring

C D G Dm G7

I heard a choir singing

C D G Em

I saw my love walk down the aisle

A7 D7

N.C.

on her finger he placed a ring, wooah

[Verse 2]

G Am D G Dm G7

I saw them holding hands

C D G Dm G7

She was standing there with my man

C D G C Cm

I heard them promise, "'Til death do us part"

G Em Am D7 G Am G7/B

Each word was a pain in my heart, ooh oh

[Chorus]

C D G Em

All I could do, all I could do was cry

C D G Dm G7

All I could do was cry

C D G C Cm

I was losing the man that I love

G Am D7 G Am D7

and all I could do was cry

[Verse 3]

G Am D G Dm G7

And now the wedding is over

C D G Dm G7

Rice, rice has been thrown over their heads

C D G C Cm

For them life has just begun

G Am D7 G Am G7/B

but mine is en---ending, ooh oh

[Chorus]

C D G Em

All, all I could do, all I could do was cry

C D G Dm G7

All I could do was cry

C D G Em

I was losing the man that I love

C D G Em

and all I could do was cry and

C D G

and all I could do was cry

About All I Could Do Was Cry Chords by Etta James

Learn how to play All I Could Do Was Cry by Etta James with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “All I Could Do Was Cry chords”, “All I Could Do Was Cry guitar chords”, or “Etta James All I Could Do Was Cry 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 All I Could Do Was Cry chords and for experienced players who want accurate All I Could Do Was Cry lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, Em, C, D, Am, Dm.

FAQ — All I Could Do Was Cry by Etta James

How do I play "All I Could Do Was Cry" by Etta James on guitar?

Open the free chords for "All I Could Do Was Cry" by Etta James 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 "All I Could Do Was Cry" by Etta James free?

Yes. The chords for "All I Could Do Was Cry" by Etta James are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "All I Could Do Was Cry" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "All I Could Do Was Cry" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "All I Could Do Was Cry"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "All I Could Do Was Cry" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "All I Could Do Was Cry" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "All I Could Do Was Cry" by Etta James with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Etta James below.

What key is "All I Could Do Was Cry" in?

The chords for "All I Could Do Was Cry" show the original chord names (including G, Em, C, D, Am, Dm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.