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John My Beloved

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Eminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
 Am   Em    Bm7   C   G    D(x2)
[Verse]
AmAre we to spEmeak, first Bm7day of the week
CStumbling wGords at the bDar
AmBeauty blue eEmyes, my oBm7rder of fries
CLong island kiGndness and wDine
BelAmoved of JEmohn, I Bm7get it all wrong
I reCad you for sGome kind of Dpoem
AmCovered in liEmnes, the foBm7ssils I find
CHave they no lGife of their oDwn?
[Chorus]
EmSo can we prBm7etend sweetly
BefCore the Gmystery eDnds?
I am a Cman with a heart that offGends
With its lConely and gGreedy deDmands
There’s Emonly a sDhadow of Gme; in a Cmanner of Gspeaking I'm Ddead
[Verse]
AmSuch a waEmste, your beBm7autiful face
CStumbling cGarpet arDise
Go fAmollow your Emgem, your wBm7hite feathered friend
CIcarus, pGoint to the Dsun
If hiAmstory spEmeaks of Bm7two baby teeth
CI’m painting the hiGlls blue and rDed
AmThey said bewEmare, LBm7ord hear my prayer
I’ve waCsted my thGroes on your hDead
[Chorus]
EmSo can we be friBm7ends, sweetly
BefCore the myGstery eDnds?
I love you mCore than the world can contGain
In its loCnely and ramsGhackle hDead
There’s oEmnly a shDadow of mGe; in a mCanner of spGeaking I'm dDead
[Interlude] 
 Am   Em    Bm7   C   G    D(x2)
[Verse]
I’m hAmolding my bEmreath
My tBm7ongue on your chest
CWhat can be saGid of my heDart?
If hAmistory spEmeaks, the kiBm7ss on my cheek
CWhere there remGains but a mDark
BelAmoved my JEmohn, so I’Bm7ll carry on
CCounting my cGards down to oDne
AmAnd when I am dEmead, come viBm7sit my bed
CMy fossil is bGright in the Dsun
[Chorus]
EmSo can we conBm7tend, peacefully
BefCore my hGistory Dends?
Jesus I neCed you, be near, come shielGd me
From foCssils that fGall on my hDead
There’s oEmnly a shDadow of mGe; in a mCanner of spGeaking I'm dDead

All chords in this song (6)

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John My Beloved

by Sufjan Stevens

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Bm7

[Intro]

Am Em Bm7 C G D

(x2)

[Verse]

Am Em Bm7

Are we to speak, first day of the week

C G D

Stumbling words at the bar

Am Em Bm7

Beauty blue eyes, my order of fries

C G D

Long island kindness and wine

Am Em Bm7

Beloved of John, I get it all wrong

C G D

I read you for some kind of poem

Am Em Bm7

Covered in lines, the fossils I find

C G D

Have they no life of their own?

[Chorus]

Em Bm7

So can we pretend sweetly

C G D

Before the mystery ends?

C G

I am a man with a heart that offends

C G D

With its lonely and greedy demands

Em D G C G D

There’s only a shadow of me; in a manner of speaking I'm dead

[Verse]

Am Em Bm7

Such a waste, your beautiful face

C G D

Stumbling carpet arise

Am Em Bm7

Go follow your gem, your white feathered friend

C G D

Icarus, point to the sun

Am Em Bm7

If history speaks of two baby teeth

C G D

I’m painting the hills blue and red

Am Em Bm7

They said beware, Lord hear my prayer

C G D

I’ve wasted my throes on your head

[Chorus]

Em Bm7

So can we be friends, sweetly

C G D

Before the mystery ends?

C G

I love you more than the world can contain

C G D

In its lonely and ramshackle head

Em D G C G D

There’s only a shadow of me; in a manner of speaking I'm dead

[Interlude]

Am Em Bm7 C G D

(x2)

[Verse]

Am Em

I’m holding my breath

Bm7

My tongue on your chest

C G D

What can be said of my heart?

Am Em Bm7

If history speaks, the kiss on my cheek

C G D

Where there remains but a mark

Am Em Bm7

Beloved my John, so I’ll carry on

C G D

Counting my cards down to one

Am Em Bm7

And when I am dead, come visit my bed

C G D

My fossil is bright in the sun

[Chorus]

Em Bm7

So can we contend, peacefully

C G D

Before my history ends?

C G

Jesus I need you, be near, come shield me

C G D

From fossils that fall on my head

Em D G C G D

There’s only a shadow of me; in a manner of speaking I'm dead

About John My Beloved Chords by Sufjan Stevens

Learn how to play John My Beloved by Sufjan Stevens with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “John My Beloved chords”, “John My Beloved guitar chords”, or “Sufjan Stevens John My Beloved 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 John My Beloved chords and for experienced players who want accurate John My Beloved lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, Em, Bm7, C, G, D.

FAQ — John My Beloved by Sufjan Stevens

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What key is "John My Beloved" in?

The chords for "John My Beloved" show the original chord names (including Am, Em, Bm7, C, G, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.