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A Painter Passing Through

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Gordon Lightfoot - A Painter Passing Through
CAPO: 4th Fret
[INTRO:]   C6    G7    C6    G7    C6    G7    C6  G7  
[VERSE 1:]
C6Once upon a time, I was on my own 
Once upon a time, like you've never known 
Dm/GOnce upon a time, I would be impressed 
C6Once upon a time, my life would be obsessed 
Dm/GOnce upon a time, once upon a day when 
C6I was in my prime, once along the way
[CHORUS:]
If you Fwant to Gknow my Csecret 
Don't come Frunning Gafter Cme 
For FI am Gjust a Cpainter 
Passing Dmthrough in histoCryG7  C6  G7  
[VERSE 2:]
C6Yesterday is gone, yesterday's alright 
Yesterday belongs, in my dreams at night 
Dm/GYesterday is swell, yesterday is great 
C6Yesterday is strong, remembering can wait 
Dm/GOnce upon a time, once upon a day when 
C6I was in my prime, once along the way
[CHORUS:]
If you Fwant to Gknow an Canswer 
I can't Fturn your Glife aCround 
For FI am Gjust a Cpainter
Passing Dmthrough the underCgroundG7  C6  G7  
[VERSE 3:]
C6I was in my stride, always at my game 
Here comes Mister Cool, along the walk of fame 
Dm/GI was in demand, always in control 
C6The world was in my hands, my touch had turned to gold 
Dm/GOnce upon a time, I was in a daze, when 
C6Everyday I turned, hearts along the way
[CHORUS:]
If you Fwant to Gknow my Csecret 
Don't come Frunning Gafter Cme 
For FI am Gjust a Cpainter 
Passing Dmthrough in histoCryG7  C6  G7  
[VERSE 4:]
C6Now that I am old, let me rest a spell
All that I am told, I can never tell
Dm/GNever in my life, never will it pass
C6I am still alone, remembering at last
Dm/GOnce upon a time, once upon a day, when
C6I was in my prime, once along the way
[CHORUS:]
If you Fwant to Gknow an Canswer 
I can't Fturn your Glife aCround 
For FI am Gjust a Cpainter
Passing Dmthrough the underCground
[CHORUS:]
If you Fwant to Gknow my Csecret 
Don't come Frunning Gafter Cme 
For FI am Gjust a Cpainter 
Passing Dmthrough in histoCryG7  C6  G7  
[OUTRO:]   G7    C6    G7    C6    G7    C6    G7  C6  

All chords in this song (7)

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A Painter Passing Through

by Gordon Lightfoot

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dm/G

Gordon Lightfoot - A Painter Passing Through

CAPO: 4th Fret

C6 G7 C6 G7 C6 G7 C6 G7

[INTRO:]

[VERSE 1:]

Once upon a time, I was on my own

Once upon a time, like you've never known

Dm/G

Once upon a time, I would be impressed

Once upon a time, my life would be obsessed

Dm/G

Once upon a time, once upon a day when

I was in my prime, once along the way

[CHORUS:]

F G C

If you want to know my secret

F G C

Don't come running after me

F G C

For I am just a painter

Dm C G7 C6 G7

Passing through in history

[VERSE 2:]

Yesterday is gone, yesterday's alright

Yesterday belongs, in my dreams at night

Dm/G

Yesterday is swell, yesterday is great

Yesterday is strong, remembering can wait

Dm/G

Once upon a time, once upon a day when

I was in my prime, once along the way

[CHORUS:]

F G C

If you want to know an answer

F G C

I can't turn your life around

F G C

For I am just a painter

Dm C G7 C6 G7

Passing through the underground

[VERSE 3:]

I was in my stride, always at my game

Here comes Mister Cool, along the walk of fame

Dm/G

I was in demand, always in control

The world was in my hands, my touch had turned to gold

Dm/G

Once upon a time, I was in a daze, when

Everyday I turned, hearts along the way

[CHORUS:]

F G C

If you want to know my secret

F G C

Don't come running after me

F G C

For I am just a painter

Dm C G7 C6 G7

Passing through in history

[VERSE 4:]

Now that I am old, let me rest a spell

All that I am told, I can never tell

Dm/G

Never in my life, never will it pass

I am still alone, remembering at last

Dm/G

Once upon a time, once upon a day, when

I was in my prime, once along the way

[CHORUS:]

F G C

If you want to know an answer

F G C

I can't turn your life around

F G C

For I am just a painter

Dm C

Passing through the underground

[CHORUS:]

F G C

If you want to know my secret

F G C

Don't come running after me

F G C

For I am just a painter

Dm C G7 C6 G7

Passing through in history

G7 C6 G7 C6 G7 C6 G7 C6

[OUTRO:]

About A Painter Passing Through Chords by Gordon Lightfoot

Learn how to play A Painter Passing Through by Gordon Lightfoot with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “A Painter Passing Through chords”, “A Painter Passing Through guitar chords”, or “Gordon Lightfoot A Painter Passing Through 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 A Painter Passing Through chords and for experienced players who want accurate A Painter Passing Through lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, C6, G7, Dm/G, F, G.

FAQ — A Painter Passing Through by Gordon Lightfoot

How do I play "A Painter Passing Through" by Gordon Lightfoot on guitar?

Open the free chords for "A Painter Passing Through" 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 "A Painter Passing Through" by Gordon Lightfoot free?

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

Can I transpose "A Painter Passing Through" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "A Painter Passing Through"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "A Painter Passing Through" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "A Painter Passing Through" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "A Painter Passing Through" 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 "A Painter Passing Through" in?

The chords for "A Painter Passing Through" show the original chord names (including A, C6, G7, Dm/G, F, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.