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Child

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Amajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

I tried to figure this one out by ear, so it might need adjusting -- please comment if so.
This is as close as I could get to matching the song on a guitar. It sounds good to me.
-- NOTES --
- All the chords (even those with *s) are formatted, so this can be transposed up/down if it's too difficult.
- I mostly palm-mute downward strums, roughly following the background beat (for most of the song, anyway).
- For heavier sections you can add a slap for every other beat, again matching the background rhythm.
- The  Aand  Dwork well as barre chords (moving from  C#mto  Dto  Ais comfy), but can also be played open.
- Chords with an asterisk(*) are just hit once -- usually as a transition (middle step) between other chords.
-- CHORDS -- 
Chords (BARRE):                             -- OR --          Alternative Shapes:
e|--A5-----D5-----E0----F#m-1----C#m-4----Bm-2--|                        e|--A0-----D2--|
B|--5-----5-----0-----1-----5-----3--|                        B|--2-----3--|
G|--6-----7-----1-----1-----6-----4--|                        G|--2-----2--|
D|--7-----7-----2-----3-----6-----4--|                        D|--2-----0--|
A|--7-----5-----2-----3-----4-----2--|                        A|--0-----x--|
E|--5-----x-----0-----1-----x-----x--|                        E|--x-----x--|
TUNING: STANDARD
NO CAPO
--INTRO--
A A A A
(Let it ring, or pick a few notes, whatever you like; the pre-singing bit is just A)
--VERSE--
AWhat is this about?
Where is everybody Dgoing?
What am I doing hAere?
Can't separate what I really need to kDnow and
What I just want to Ahear
Maybe I'm alone maybe everybody's Dlost too
Looking for their own way Aout
Maybe I don't know maybe I don't even waDnt to
--BRIDGE 1--
                      (A)  F#m  
Just don't want to be let down
There C#mis no sureneDss, I kAind of just stEumble alF#mong
There C#mmust be purpoDse in tArying to keep Eon
--CHORUS--
DWhat do I know? I’m a childF#m  
                                  E  A*
Just trying to talk like a mother does
DSeeing life come and go all the timF#me
                                  E  A*
It's never as long as you wish it was
DOhh-ooh, Ohh-oh, Ohh-ooh, Maybe I’m F#m  
F#mstill trying to seEe like a child does
--VERSE--
AAnd I always feel like I did when I was F#myounger
Can't talk sense Dinto me
AHow do you decide when to know or how to Dwonder
Or how to just get frF#mee
There’s C#mno certainDty, I kAind of just stEumble alF#mong
Doesn'C#mt bother Dme, I'm tArying to keep Eon
--CHORUS--
DWhat do I know? I’m a childF#m  
                                  E  A*
Just trying to talk like a mother does
DSeeing life come and go all the timF#me
                                  E  A*
It's never as long as you wish it was
DOhh-ooh, Ohh-oh, Ohh-ooh, Maybe I’m F#m  
F#mstill trying to seEe like a child does
--BRIDGE 2--
BmI seen both sides and felt it all
DI'm not a child anymore but F#mI can't stand in here
The way I did Ewhen I was a kid
--CHORUS x2--
DWhat do I know? I’m a childF#m  
                                  E  A*
Just trying to talk like a mother does
DSeeing life come and go all the timF#me
                                  E  A*
It's never as long as you wish it was
DWhat do I know? I’m a childF#m  
                                  E  A*
Just trying to talk like a mother does
DSeeing life come and go all the timF#me
                                  E  A*
It's never as long as you wish it was
DOhh-ooh, Ohh-oh, Ohh-ooh, Maybe I’m F#m  
F#mstill trying to seEe like a child does
DOhh-ooh, Ohh-oh, Ohh-ooh, Maybe I’m F#m  
               F#m                   E  A*
still trying to see like a child does

All chords in this song (6)

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Child

by Lights

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

F#m

I tried to figure this one out by ear, so it might need adjusting -- please comment if so.

This is as close as I could get to matching the song on a guitar. It sounds good to me.

-- NOTES --

- All the chords (even those with *s) are formatted, so this can be transposed up/down if it's too difficult.

- I mostly palm-mute downward strums, roughly following the background beat (for most of the song, anyway).

- For heavier sections you can add a slap for every other beat, again matching the background rhythm.

A D C#m D A

- The and work well as barre chords (moving from to to is comfy), but can also be played open.

- Chords with an asterisk(*) are just hit once -- usually as a transition (middle step) between other chords.

-- CHORDS --

Chords (BARRE): -- OR -- Alternative Shapes:

A D E F#m C#m Bm A D

e|--5-----5-----0-----1-----4-----2--| e|--0-----2--|

B|--5-----5-----0-----1-----5-----3--| B|--2-----3--|

G|--6-----7-----1-----1-----6-----4--| G|--2-----2--|

D|--7-----7-----2-----3-----6-----4--| D|--2-----0--|

A|--7-----5-----2-----3-----4-----2--| A|--0-----x--|

E|--5-----x-----0-----1-----x-----x--| E|--x-----x--|

TUNING: STANDARD

NO CAPO

--INTRO--

A A A A

(Let it ring, or pick a few notes, whatever you like; the pre-singing bit is just )

--VERSE--

What is this about?

Where is everybody going?

What am I doing here?

Can't separate what I really need to know and

What I just want to hear

Maybe I'm alone maybe everybody's lost too

Looking for their own way out

Maybe I don't know maybe I don't even want to

--BRIDGE 1--

A F#m

()

Just don't want to be let down

C#m D A E F#m

There is no sureness, I kind of just stumble along

C#m D A E

There must be purpose in trying to keep on

--CHORUS--

D F#m

What do I know? I’m a child

E A

Just trying to talk like a mother does

D F#m

Seeing life come and go all the time

E A

It's never as long as you wish it was

D F#m

Ohh-ooh, Ohh-oh, Ohh-ooh, Maybe I’m

F#m E

still trying to see like a child does

--VERSE--

A F#m

And I always feel like I did when I was younger

Can't talk sense into me

A D

How do you decide when to know or how to wonder

F#m

Or how to just get free

C#m D A E F#m

There’s no certainty, I kind of just stumble along

C#m D A E

Doesn't bother me, I'm trying to keep on

--CHORUS--

D F#m

What do I know? I’m a child

E A

Just trying to talk like a mother does

D F#m

Seeing life come and go all the time

E A

It's never as long as you wish it was

D F#m

Ohh-ooh, Ohh-oh, Ohh-ooh, Maybe I’m

F#m E

still trying to see like a child does

--BRIDGE 2--

I seen both sides and felt it all

D F#m

I'm not a child anymore but I can't stand in here

The way I did when I was a kid

--CHORUS x2--

D F#m

What do I know? I’m a child

E A

Just trying to talk like a mother does

D F#m

Seeing life come and go all the time

E A

It's never as long as you wish it was

D F#m

What do I know? I’m a child

E A

Just trying to talk like a mother does

D F#m

Seeing life come and go all the time

E A

It's never as long as you wish it was

D F#m

Ohh-ooh, Ohh-oh, Ohh-ooh, Maybe I’m

F#m E

still trying to see like a child does

D F#m

Ohh-ooh, Ohh-oh, Ohh-ooh, Maybe I’m

F#m E A

still trying to see like a child does

About Child Chords by Lights

Learn how to play Child by Lights with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Child chords”, “Child guitar chords”, or “Lights Child 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 Child chords and for experienced players who want accurate Child lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, D, C#m, E, F#m, Bm.

FAQ — Child by Lights

How do I play "Child" by Lights on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Child" by Lights 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 "Child" by Lights free?

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Can I transpose "Child" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Child"?

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

Is "Child" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Child" in?

The chords for "Child" show the original chord names (including A, D, C#m, E, F#m, Bm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.