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

Protocol

Chords

4.925 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Gordon Lightfoot - Protocol
CAPO: 4th Fret
[INTRO:]     Am      C      F      E7  Am  
[VERSE 1:]
Who are these ones who would lead us nowC  
To the sound of a thousand gunsF  
We'd storm the gates of hell itselfE7  
To the tune of a single drumAm  
[VERSE 2:]
Where are the girls of the neighbourhood barsC  
Whose love's were lost at seaF  
In the hills of France and on German soilE7  
From Saigon to Wounded KneeDm  
[CHORUS:]
Who come from long lines of GsoldiersC  
Whose duty was fulFfilled
In the Dmwords of a warriors wGill
And Amprotocol
[INTERLUDE:]     Am      C      F      E7  Am  
[VERSE 3:]
Where are the boys in their coats of blueC  
Who flew when their eyes were blindF  
Was god in town for the Roman games
Was he E7there when the deals were signedAm  
[VERSE 4:]
Who are the kings in their coats of mailC  
Who rode by the cross to dieF  
Did they all go down into worthinessE7  
Is it wrong for a king to cryDm  
[CHORUS:]
And who are these ones who would have us Gnow
Whose Cpresence in conFcealed
Whose Dmnature is reGvealed
In a Amtime bomb
[INTERLUDE:]     Am      C      F      E7  Am  
[VERSE 5:]
And last of all, you old sea dogsC  
Who travel after whaleF  
You'd storm the gates of hell itself
For the E7taste of a mermaids tailDm  
[CHORUS:]
Who come from long lines of GskippersC  
Whose duty was fulFfilledDm  
In the words of a warrior's Gwill
And Amprotocol
[OUTRO:]     Am      C      F      E7  Am  

All chords in this song (6)

🎸 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

Protocol

by Gordon Lightfoot

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Gordon Lightfoot - Protocol

CAPO: 4th Fret

Am C F E7 Am

[INTRO:]

[VERSE 1:]

Who are these ones who would lead us now

To the sound of a thousand guns

We'd storm the gates of hell itself

To the tune of a single drum

[VERSE 2:]

Where are the girls of the neighbourhood bars

Whose love's were lost at sea

In the hills of France and on German soil

From Saigon to Wounded Knee

[CHORUS:]

G C

Who come from long lines of soldiers

Whose duty was fulfilled

Dm G

In the words of a warriors will

And protocol

Am C F E7 Am

[INTERLUDE:]

[VERSE 3:]

Where are the boys in their coats of blue

Who flew when their eyes were blind

Was god in town for the Roman games

E7 Am

Was he there when the deals were signed

[VERSE 4:]

Who are the kings in their coats of mail

Who rode by the cross to die

Did they all go down into worthiness

Is it wrong for a king to cry

[CHORUS:]

And who are these ones who would have us now

C F

Whose presence in concealed

Dm G

Whose nature is revealed

In a time bomb

Am C F E7 Am

[INTERLUDE:]

[VERSE 5:]

And last of all, you old sea dogs

Who travel after whale

You'd storm the gates of hell itself

E7 Dm

For the taste of a mermaids tail

[CHORUS:]

G C

Who come from long lines of skippers

F Dm

Whose duty was fulfilled

In the words of a warrior's will

And protocol

Am C F E7 Am

[OUTRO:]

About Protocol Chords by Gordon Lightfoot

Learn how to play Protocol by Gordon Lightfoot with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Protocol chords”, “Protocol guitar chords”, or “Gordon Lightfoot Protocol 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 Protocol chords and for experienced players who want accurate Protocol lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, C, F, E7, Dm, G.

FAQ — Protocol by Gordon Lightfoot

How do I play "Protocol" by Gordon Lightfoot on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Protocol" by Gordon Lightfoot 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 "Protocol" by Gordon Lightfoot free?

Yes. The chords for "Protocol" by Gordon Lightfoot are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Protocol" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Protocol"?

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

Is "Protocol" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Protocol" in?

The chords for "Protocol" show the original chord names (including Am, C, F, E7, Dm, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.