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Fading Away

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Gordon Lightfoot - Fading Away
CAPO: 4th Fret
[INTRO:]  Am  
[VERSE 1:]                             
I was at the breakwall, I was looking at the sea 
In Dback of an eight ball, Amin some misery 
There on the horizon stood a mighty ship of fools 
They were Dheaded into the harbour with Amall their broken rules
[CHORUS:]
Whenever I'm feeling Clonely, I can Djust pick up the Amphone 
Or I can go to the Cmovies or just Dstay at home aAmlone 
They're better off to be Csomeplace that's a Dgood long way from AmhomeD  
Anyway I can't lose myselfC  
The dawn is breaking, I'm Dhesitating, I'm A  G  
DFading aAwayG  
Dfading aAway G  D  A  
[VERSE 2:]                             
They Amsailed right up to meet me, I said, "What's it all about
Please Dtry to excuse me, Amwe can work things out
If you've ever wondered, if that mighty ship is real 
Let me Dtell ya 'bout it brother, it was Amsomething you could feel"
[CHORUS:]
Whenever I'm feeling Clonely, I let Dtwilight set the Amtone 
Or I can go to the Cmovies or just Dstay at home aAmlone 
They're better off to be Csomeplace that's a Dgood long way to Amroam 
DAin't living high on the hog right now C  
The dawn is breaking, I'm Dhesitating, I'm A  G  
DFading aAwayG  
Dfading aAway G  D  
[VERSE 3:]                             
One more Amday on the calendar in my mind 
I am Ddown around the breakwall Amputting in some time 
The whole ship of fools has gotten safely under way 
And I was Dproud to be a part of what it Amwas they had to say
[CHORUS:]
Whenever I'm feeling Clonely, I can Djust pick up the Amphone 
Or I can go to the Cmovies or just Dstay at home aAmlone 
They're better off to be Csomeplace that's a Dgood long way from AmhomeD  
Anyway I can't lose myselfC  
The dawn is breaking, I'm Dhesitating, I'm A  G  
DFading aAwayG  
Dfading aAway G  D  A  
Dfading aAway G  D  A  
Dfading aAway G  D  

All chords in this song (5)

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Fading Away

by Gordon Lightfoot

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Gordon Lightfoot - Fading Away

CAPO: 4th Fret

[INTRO:]

[VERSE 1:]

I was at the breakwall, I was looking at the sea

D Am

In back of an eight ball, in some misery

There on the horizon stood a mighty ship of fools

D Am

They were headed into the harbour with all their broken rules

[CHORUS:]

C D Am

Whenever I'm feeling lonely, I can just pick up the phone

C D Am

Or I can go to the movies or just stay at home alone

C D Am D

They're better off to be someplace that's a good long way from home

Anyway I can't lose myself

D A G

The dawn is breaking, I'm hesitating, I'm

D A G

Fading away

D A G D A

fading away

[VERSE 2:]

They sailed right up to meet me, I said, "What's it all about

D Am

Please try to excuse me, we can work things out

If you've ever wondered, if that mighty ship is real

D Am

Let me tell ya 'bout it brother, it was something you could feel"

[CHORUS:]

C D Am

Whenever I'm feeling lonely, I let twilight set the tone

C D Am

Or I can go to the movies or just stay at home alone

C D Am

They're better off to be someplace that's a good long way to roam

D C

Ain't living high on the hog right now

D A G

The dawn is breaking, I'm hesitating, I'm

D A G

Fading away

D A G D

fading away

[VERSE 3:]

One more day on the calendar in my mind

D Am

I am down around the breakwall putting in some time

The whole ship of fools has gotten safely under way

D Am

And I was proud to be a part of what it was they had to say

[CHORUS:]

C D Am

Whenever I'm feeling lonely, I can just pick up the phone

C D Am

Or I can go to the movies or just stay at home alone

C D Am D

They're better off to be someplace that's a good long way from home

Anyway I can't lose myself

D A G

The dawn is breaking, I'm hesitating, I'm

D A G

Fading away

D A G D A

fading away

D A G D A

fading away

D A G D

fading away

About Fading Away Chords by Gordon Lightfoot

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

FAQ — Fading Away by Gordon Lightfoot

How do I play "Fading Away" by Gordon Lightfoot on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Fading Away" 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 "Fading Away" by Gordon Lightfoot free?

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

Can I transpose "Fading Away" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Fading Away"?

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

Is "Fading Away" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Fading Away" 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 "Fading Away" in?

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