Now playing

Eels

Chords

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/36

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 36Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

Eels
From the album Wilderness
[INTRO]
e|-C---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B|----------1---1---------1---1------1---1---------1---1------1---1---------1---1---
G|-0---0----0---0---------0---0------0---0---------0---0------0---0---------0---0---
D|---2--------2---2---0h2---2---2------2---2---0h2---2---2------2---2---0h2---2---2-
A|-------3-------------------------3------------------------3-----------------------
E|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[VERSE 1]
They uCsed to thFink the swCallows C/B  
            Am(Em) F  
were living under water
FAll thFmrough the wCinter 
Amwhen they were mFissing frGom the trCees
[VERSE 2]
They uCsed to thFink the gCeese C/B  
bAmudded from the brFanches
EDmach gentle sAmunny spring 
when tFhey came bGack agCain
[CHORUS]
But the swGallows and the geese, 
thFey have always hCeard
The rDminging of the bAmells 
that Fecho thrGough the eCarth
[VERSE 3]
The mConarch bFutterflCies C/B  
in their clAmoud of orange wFings
And aFll the gFmolden eCels 
swFimming thrGough the sCea
[VERSE 4]
They are fCollowFing a pCath C/B  
to plAmaces never sFeen
They sFee the sFmecret mCap 
the mFoon draws Gon the sCea
[CHORUS]
The bGutterflies and eels, 
thFey have always hCeard        
The rDminging of the bAmells 
that Fecho thrGough the eCarth
[INTERLUDE]
C F C Am F Fm C F G C
[VERSE 5]
But the Cairplanes FoverhCead C/B  
hang hAmeavy in the aFir
And aDmll the shiny cAmars, 
they cFircle iGn despCair
[CHORUS]
"WhGere am I?" They cry. 
"WhFere are you? Where am CI?"
But tDmhey will never hAmear 
The bFells that rGing tonCight
[OUTRO]
The bFells that    Fmring tonCight
C
[CODA]
[staccato w/ upstrokes]
CBut the airplanes overhC7ead 
hang hFeavy in the aFmir
And Call the shiny cGars, 
they cFircle Gin despCair

All chords in this song (8)

🎸 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

Eels

by The Handsome Family

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C/B

Eels

From the album Wilderness

[INTRO]

e|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

B|----------1---1---------1---1------1---1---------1---1------1---1---------1---1---

G|-0---0----0---0---------0---0------0---0---------0---0------0---0---------0---0---

D|---2--------2---2---0h2---2---2------2---2---0h2---2---2------2---2---0h2---2---2-

A|-------3-------------------------3------------------------3-----------------------

E|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[VERSE 1]

C F C C/B

They used to think the swallows

Am F

(Em)

were living under water

F Fm C

All through the winter

Am F G C

when they were missing from the trees

[VERSE 2]

C F C C/B

They used to think the geese

Am F

budded from the branches

Dm Am

Each gentle sunny spring

F G C

when they came back again

[CHORUS]

But the swallows and the geese,

F C

they have always heard

Dm Am

The ringing of the bells

F G C

that echo through the earth

[VERSE 3]

C F C C/B

The monarch butterflies

Am F

in their cloud of orange wings

F Fm C

And all the golden eels

F G C

swimming through the sea

[VERSE 4]

C F C C/B

They are following a path

Am F

to places never seen

F Fm C

They see the secret map

F G C

the moon draws on the sea

[CHORUS]

The butterflies and eels,

F C

they have always heard

Dm Am

The ringing of the bells

F G C

that echo through the earth

[INTERLUDE]

C F C Am F Fm C F G C

[VERSE 5]

C F C C/B

But the airplanes overhead

Am F

hang heavy in the air

Dm Am

And all the shiny cars,

F G C

they circle in despair

[CHORUS]

"Where am I?" They cry.

F C

"Where are you? Where am I?"

Dm Am

But they will never hear

F G C

The bells that ring tonight

[OUTRO]

F Fm C

The bells that ring tonight

[CODA]

[staccato w/ upstrokes]

C C7

But the airplanes overhead

F Fm

hang heavy in the air

C G

And all the shiny cars,

F G C

they circle in despair

About Eels Chords by The Handsome Family

Learn how to play Eels by The Handsome Family with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Eels chords”, “Eels guitar chords”, or “The Handsome Family Eels 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 Eels chords and for experienced players who want accurate Eels lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, B, G, D, A, E.

FAQ — Eels by The Handsome Family

How do I play "Eels" by The Handsome Family on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Eels" by The Handsome Family 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 "Eels" by The Handsome Family free?

Yes. The chords for "Eels" by The Handsome Family are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Eels" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Eels"?

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

Is "Eels" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Eels" in?

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