Is Free Chord Book really free?

Yes. Free Chord Book is 100% free with no sign-up required. Access 670,000+ guitar chords, tabs, and lyrics for every song you want to learn.

How do I transpose chords to a different key?

Open any song and use the transpose buttons to move every chord up or down by half-steps. Perfect for singers who need a different key or capo players.

Can I see chord diagrams while I play?

Yes. Tap any chord in a song to instantly see its interactive guitar chord diagram, including alternate fingerings and variations.

What's the difference between guitar chords and guitar tabs?

Chords show you which strings to strum together (great for rhythm playing and singing). Tabs (tablature) show you exact note-by-note fingerings, which is great for solos, riffs, and fingerpicking.

Does Free Chord Book work on mobile?

Yes. Free Chord Book is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use auto-scroll to play hands-free. There is also a free iPhone app (The Chord Book) and Android app (Free Chords).

Is there an iPhone or Android app?

Yes. Download The Chord Book on the Apple App Store and Free Chords on Google Play. Same 670,000+ songs, transpose, tuner, and auto-scroll — 100% free.

Can I print guitar chords?

Yes. Open any song and tap the Print button next to Save. You'll get a branded chord sheet with the Chord Book logo, ready for practice.

Is there a built-in guitar tuner?

Yes. Free Chord Book includes a free online guitar tuner that uses your microphone and YIN pitch detection for accurate tuning in standard and alternate tunings.

How many songs are available?

Over 670,000 songs with chords, tabs, and lyrics — covering every genre, from rock and pop to country, indie, folk, and Hebrew songs.

Is Free Chord Book a good alternative to Ultimate Guitar?

Yes. Free Chord Book is a fast, ad-free, 100% free alternative to Ultimate Guitar with interactive chord diagrams, instant transpose, auto-scroll, and a built-in tuner — no account required.

SavedFavorites

Cortez The Killer

Chords

4.71,024 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Cortez The Killer - Neil Young
Chords used:
   Em222000
    D000232
  Am7x02010
Am7* x05530
[Intro/Solo 1]
|    Em|     D|   Am7|   Am7| x12
[Verse 1]
He came Emdancing across the water
With his Dgalleons and guns
   Am7Looking for the new world
                        Am7*
And that palace in the sun
[Verse 2]
On the Emshore lay Montezuma
With his Dcoca leaves and pearls
In his Am7halls he often wandered
                         Am7*
With the secrets of the world
[Verse 3]
And his Emsubjects gathered 'round him
Like the Dleaves around a tree
In their Am7clothes of many colours
                       Am7*
For the angry gods to see
[Verse 4]
And the Emwomen all were beautiful
And the Dmen stood straight and strong
   Am7They offered life in sacrifice
                        Am7*
So that others could go on
[Solo 2]
|    Em|     D|   Am7|   Am7| x3
[Verse 5]
EmHate was just a legend
And Dwar was never known
   Am7The people worked together
                       Am7*
And they lifted many stones
[Verse 6]
And they Emcarried them to the flatlands
But they Ddied along the way
And they Am7built up with their bare hands
                         Am7*
What we still can't do today
[Verse 7]
And I Emknow she's living there
And she Dloves me to this day
  Am7I still can't remember when
                 Am7*
Or how I lost my way
[Solo 3]
|    Em|     D|   Am7|   Am7| x2
[Outro]
He came Emdancing across the water
  DCortez, Cortez
              Am7  Am7*
   What a killer
[Outro Solo]
|    Em|     D|   Am7|   Am7|
|    Em|     D|   Am7|
(fade out)

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

This song draws inspiration from Hernán Cortés's 16th-century conquest of the Aztec Empire, though its lyrics take a less historical and more personal turn. It doesn't dwell on the details of battles but weaves in a first-person perspective, particularly in the final verse, hinting at a lost relationship. Recorded with Crazy Horse for his 1975 album Zuma, the song reflects Young's characteristic blend of folk, rock, and country, delivered with his deeply personal lyrical style. Playing it, you channel a sense of historical reflection intertwined with a very human, lingering regret.

AI-written from these sources:Cortez the Killer — Wikipedia ↗Neil Young — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Cortez The Killer

by Neil Young

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Am7

Cortez The Killer - Neil Young

Chords used:

222000

000232

Am7

x02010

Am7

* x05530

[Intro/Solo 1]

Em D Am7 Am7

| | | | | x12

[Verse 1]

He came dancing across the water

With his galleons and guns

Am7

Looking for the new world

Am7

And that palace in the sun

[Verse 2]

On the shore lay Montezuma

With his coca leaves and pearls

Am7

In his halls he often wandered

Am7

With the secrets of the world

[Verse 3]

And his subjects gathered 'round him

Like the leaves around a tree

Am7

In their clothes of many colours

Am7

For the angry gods to see

[Verse 4]

And the women all were beautiful

And the men stood straight and strong

Am7

They offered life in sacrifice

Am7

So that others could go on

[Solo 2]

Em D Am7 Am7

| | | | | x3

[Verse 5]

Hate was just a legend

And war was never known

Am7

The people worked together

Am7

And they lifted many stones

[Verse 6]

And they carried them to the flatlands

But they died along the way

Am7

And they built up with their bare hands

Am7

What we still can't do today

[Verse 7]

And I know she's living there

And she loves me to this day

Am7

I still can't remember when

Am7

Or how I lost my way

[Solo 3]

Em D Am7 Am7

| | | | | x2

[Outro]

He came dancing across the water

Cortez, Cortez

Am7 Am7

What a killer

[Outro Solo]

Em D Am7 Am7

| | | | |

Em D Am7

| | | |

(fade out)

About Cortez The Killer Chords by Neil Young

Learn how to play Cortez The Killer by Neil Young with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Cortez The Killer chords”, “Cortez The Killer guitar chords”, or “Neil Young Cortez The Killer 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 Cortez The Killer chords and for experienced players who want accurate Cortez The Killer lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, D, Am7.

FAQ — Cortez The Killer by Neil Young

How do I play "Cortez The Killer" by Neil Young on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Cortez The Killer" by Neil Young 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 "Cortez The Killer" by Neil Young free?

Yes. The chords for "Cortez The Killer" by Neil Young are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Cortez The Killer" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Cortez The Killer"?

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

Is "Cortez The Killer" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Cortez The Killer" by Neil Young with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Neil Young below.

What key is "Cortez The Killer" in?

The chords for "Cortez The Killer" show the original chord names (including Em, D, Am7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.