Chord Book

Now playing

Roots

Chords
4.613 votes
Get the app
App StoreGoogle Play
90BPM
Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams
NOTE: Chords in brackets in the last verses are not played on
Dm= xx0231 F= 133211 Dm/A= x00231 Bb= x13331
C/E= xx2010 C/G= 332010 G= 320022 C= x32010
N.C. = No chords
[Intro]
||: Dm/ C/E/ / F  C/G/ | Dm/A/ / / / | Dm/A/ C/G/ F/ C/E/ | Dm/ / / /:||x2
[Verse 1]
Now, Dmit's been twenty five years or more,
I've Dmroamed this land from shore to shore,
From GTyne to Tamar, Severn to Thames,
From Dmmoor to vale, from peak to fen
DmPlayed in cafes, and pubs, and bars,
I've Dmstood in the street with my old guitar,
But GI'd be richer than all the rest,
DmIf I had a pound for each request...
[Pre-Chorus]
...For 'FDuelling Banjos', 'A - Bbmerican Pie',
FIt's enough to Cmake you cry,
'FRule Britannia' Bb...or 'Swing Low',
Are Cthey the only songs the English know?
[Chorus]
BbSeed, bud, Cflower, fruit,
They're Dmnever gonna grow without their roots,
Bb   C   Dm   DmN.C.
Branch, stem, shoots ...they need roots!
||Dm:/ C/E/ / F  C/G/ | Dm/A/ / / / | Dm/A/ C/G/ F/ C/E/ | Dm/ / / /:||x2
[Verse 2]
DmAfter the speeches, when the cake's been cut,
The Dmdisco is over and the bar is shut,
At Gchristening, birthday, wedding or wake,
DmWhat can we sing until the morning breaks?
When the FIndian, Asians, BbAfro, Celts,
It's Fin their blood, be - Clow the belt,
They're Fplaying and dancing Bball night long,
So what've Cthey got right that we've got wrong?
[Chorus]
BbSeed, bud, Cflower, fruit,
DmNever gonna grow without their roots,
Bb   C   Dm   DmN.C.
Branch, stem, shoots ...they need roots!
And Dmhaul away, boys, let them go,
FOut in the wind, and the rain, and snow,
G7We've lost more than we'll ever know...
...'Round the Dmrocky Cshores of BbEngland!
DmHaul away, boys, let them go,
FOut in the wind, and the rain, and snow,
G7We've lost more than we'll ever know...
...'Round the Dmrocky Cshores of BbEngland!
We need DmrooC/Ets!F  C/G  Dm/A  Dm/A  C/G  F  C/E  Dm  
We need DmrooC/Ets!F  C/G  Dm/A  Dm/A  C/G  F  C/E  Dm  
[Verse 3]
And a DmMinister said his vision of hell...
(Dm)
...Is three folk singers in a pub near Wells,
(G)
Well, I've got a vision of urban sprawl,
(Dm)
It's pubs where no one ever sings at all,
And Feveryone stares at a Bbgreat big screen,
FOver-paid soccer stars, Cprancing teens,
Aus - Ftralian soap, A - Bbmerican rap,
CEstuary English, baseball caps!
[Verse 4]
And we Bblearn to be ashamed, be - Cfore we walk,
Of the Dmway we look, and the way we talk,
With - Bbout our stories Cor our songs,
DmHow will we know where we've come from?
I've Bblost Saint George in the CUnion Jack,
It's Dmmy flag too, and I want it back!
BbSeed, bud, Cflower, fruit,
DmNever gonna grow without their roots,
Bb   C   Dm   DmN.C.
Branch, stem, shoots ...we need roots!
[Verse 5- A cappella]
(Dm)
And haul away, boys, let them go,
(F)
Out in the wind, and the rain, and snow,
(G7)
We've lost more than we'll ever know...
(Dm) (C) (Bb)
...'Round the rocky shores of England!
(Dm)
Haul away, boys, let them go,
(F)
Out in the wind, and the rain, and snow,
(G7)
We've lost more than we'll ever know...
(Dm) (C) (Bb)
...'Round the rocky shores of England!
[Verse 6]
DmHaul away, boys, let them go,
FOut in the wind, and the rain, and snow,
G7We've lost more than we'll ever know...
...'Round the Dmrocky Cshores of BbEngland!
[Verse 7]
Bb  DmHaul away, boys, let them go...
(Haul a - way------, boys---------------!)
...FOut in the wind, and the rain, and snow,
G7We've lost more than we'll ever know...
(Hear the rain, boys------------------!)
'Round the Dmrocky sChores of BbEngland!
[Verse 7]
Bb  DmHaul away, boys, let them go...
(Haul a - way------, boys---------------!)
...FOut in the wind, and the rain, and snow,
G7We've lost more than we'll ever know...
(Hear the rain, boys------------------!)
'Round the Dmrocky sChores of BbEngland!
[Verse 8]
Bb  DmHaul away, boys, let them go...
(Haul a - way------, boys---------------!)
(F)
...Out in the wind, and the rain, and snow,
(G7)
We've lost more than we'll ever know...
(Hear the rain, boys------------------!)
'Round the Dmrocky sChores of BbEngland!
[Verse 9]
Bb  DmHaul C/Ea - Fway, C/Gboys, Dm/Alet them go!
(Haul a - way------, boys--------------!)
| Dm/A/ C/G/ / F  C/E/ | Dm/ / / / |
DmWe've C/Elost Fmore C/Gthan Dm/Awe'll ever know,
'Round the Dm/Arock - C/Gy Fshores C/Eof BbEngland!
DmHaul C/Ea - Fway, C/Gboys, Dm/Alet them go! | Dm/A/ C/G/ F/ C/E/ | Dm/ / / / |
DmWe've C/Elost Fmore C/Gthan Dm/Awe'll ever know,
'Round the Dm/Arock - C/Gy Fshores C/Eof BbEngland!C  Dm  
All chords in this song (9)

🎸 Tips from players

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

About Roots Chords by Show of Hands

Learn how to play Roots by Show of Hands with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Roots chords”, “Roots guitar chords”, or “Show of Hands Roots 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 Roots chords and for experienced players who want accurate Roots lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dm, F, Dm/A, Bb, C/E, C/G.

FAQ — Roots by Show of Hands

How do I play "Roots" by Show of Hands on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Roots" by Show of Hands 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 "Roots" by Show of Hands free?

Yes. The chords for "Roots" by Show of Hands are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Roots" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Roots"?

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

Is "Roots" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Roots" by Show of Hands with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Show of Hands below.

What key is "Roots" in?

The chords for "Roots" show the original chord names (including Dm, F, Dm/A, Bb, C/E, C/G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.

Report a problem with this sheet · Copyright concern?