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The Old Churchyard

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The original song was played in G minor, but that may be too high for some singers, 
so I transposed it down to a manageable pitch.
1st Verse: DmCome, come with A#me out to the Fold churchCyard,
           I so Dmwell know those A#paths 'neath the Gmsoft green Dmsward.
           Friends Dmslumber in A#there that we Fwant to regCard;
           We will Dmtrace out their A#names in the Cold churchDmyard.
           FMourn not for them, their trials are o'er
           And Dmwhy weep for tA#hose who will Fweep no more?
           For Dmsweet is their A#sleep, though Fcold and Chard
           Their Dmpillows may A#be in the Cold churchDmyard.
2nd Verse: I Dmknow that it's A#vain when our Ffriends depCart
           To Dmbreathe kind A#words to a Gmbroken Dmheart;
           And I Dmknow that the A#joy of Flife is Cmarred
           When we Dmfollow lost A#friends to the Cold churchDmyard.
           But Fwere I at rest 'neath yonder tree,
           Oh, Dmwhy would you A#weep, my Ffriends, for me?
           I'm so Dmweary, so A#wayworn, why Fwould you reCtard
           The Dmpeace I A#seek in the Cold churchDmyard?
3rd Verse: DmWhy weep for A#me, for I'm Fanxious to Cgo
           To that Dmhaven of A#rest where no Gmtears ever Dmflow;
           And I Dmfear not to A#enter that Fdark lonely Ctomb
           Where our DmSaviour has A#lain and Cconquered the Dmgloom.
           I Frest in the hope that one bright day
           DmSunshine will A#burst to these Fprisons of clay,
           And old DmGabriel's A#trumpet and Fvoice of the CLord
           Will Dmwake up the A#dead in the Cold churchDmyard.

All chords in this song (5)

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The Old Churchyard

by The Watersons

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

The original song was played in G minor, but that may be too high for some singers,

so I transposed it down to a manageable pitch.

Dm A# F C

1st Verse: Come, come with me out to the old churchyard,

Dm A# Gm Dm

I so well know those paths 'neath the soft green sward.

Dm A# F C

Friends slumber in there that we want to regard;

Dm A# C Dm

We will trace out their names in the old churchyard.

Mourn not for them, their trials are o'er

Dm A# F

And why weep for those who will weep no more?

Dm A# F C

For sweet is their sleep, though cold and hard

Dm A# C Dm

Their pillows may be in the old churchyard.

Dm A# F C

2nd Verse: I know that it's vain when our friends depart

Dm A# Gm Dm

To breathe kind words to a broken heart;

Dm A# F C

And I know that the joy of life is marred

Dm A# C Dm

When we follow lost friends to the old churchyard.

But were I at rest 'neath yonder tree,

Dm A# F

Oh, why would you weep, my friends, for me?

Dm A# F C

I'm so weary, so wayworn, why would you retard

Dm A# C Dm

The peace I seek in the old churchyard?

Dm A# F C

3rd Verse: Why weep for me, for I'm anxious to go

Dm A# Gm Dm

To that haven of rest where no tears ever flow;

Dm A# F C

And I fear not to enter that dark lonely tomb

Dm A# C Dm

Where our Saviour has lain and conquered the gloom.

I rest in the hope that one bright day

Dm A# F

Sunshine will burst to these prisons of clay,

Dm A# F C

And old Gabriel's trumpet and voice of the Lord

Dm A# C Dm

Will wake up the dead in the old churchyard.

About The Old Churchyard Chords by The Watersons

Learn how to play The Old Churchyard by The Watersons with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Old Churchyard chords”, “The Old Churchyard guitar chords”, or “The Watersons The Old Churchyard 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 The Old Churchyard chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Old Churchyard lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, Dm, A#, F, C, Gm.

FAQ — The Old Churchyard by The Watersons

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What key is "The Old Churchyard" in?

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