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Forgive Me Lord

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Gordon Lightfoot - Forgive Me Lord
CAPO: 2nd Fret
[Verse 1]
Make my Gworld a B7better place to EmbeG7  C  
Remove these C/Dchains and set me GfreeC/G  
Give my Glife one B7reason to beEmginG7  C  
Forgive me C/Dlord, for I have GsinnedC  
[Verse 2]
Take my Ghand and B7lead me as you EmchooseG7  C  
It seems we C/Dain't got much to GloseC/G  
Give this Gplace one B7season without EmshameG7  C  
Forgive me C/Dlord, I've sinned aGgainC/G  
[Bridge 1]
I been Gdown on my luck, as a Fmatter of fact 
I've Emeven been G7chaste
CDrifting along, G/Bsinging a song
For the Am7whole human Grace
I been caught in the act, as a Fmatter of fact
I'm Emeven well G7known
CFloating on by with a G/Blaugh and a sigh
On the Am7road that leads GhomeC  
I got G/Bno more Am7time left to C/Droam
[Verse 3]
If you love me
Take this Gworld and B7build it as you EmpleaseG7  C  
With a little C/Dhelp from the likes of GmeC/G  
Keep it Gsafe from B7harm and make it EmpureG7  C  
Forgive the C/Drich and save the GpoorC/G  G  C  D  
[Bridge 2]
Like the Gdust on the wind, I've been Ftaken again
By Emmy foolish G7pride
CDrifting along, G/Bsinging a song
That's Am7how I get Gby
I been caught in the act, as a Fmatter of fact
I've Emeven been G7chaste
CFloating on by G/Bwith a laugh and a sigh
For the Am7whole human GraceC  
I got G/Bno more Am7time left to C/Dwaste
[Verse 4]
If you love me
Make my Gworld a B7better place to EmbeG7  C  
Remove these C/Dchains and set me GfreeC/G  
Give my Gface a B7different point of EmviewG7  C  
Forgive us C/Dlord if we run to GyouC/G  G  C  D  
[Instrumental]
G  F  Em  G7  C  G/B  Am7  G
F  Em  G7  C  G/B  Am7  G  C G/B Am7  C/D
[Verse 5]
If you love me
Make my Gworld a B7better place to EmbeG7  C  
Remove these C/Dchains and set me GfreeC/G  
Give my Glife one B7reason to beEmginG7  C  
Forgive me C/Dlord, for I have GsinnedC/G  
Give my Glife one B7reason to beEmginG7  C  
Forgive me C/Dlord, for I have Gsinned

All chords in this song (11)

The story behind the song

Gordon Lightfoot was a Canadian singer-songwriter known for his timeless songs exploring themes of trains, shipwrecks, rivers, highways, lovers, and loneliness. His work helped define the singer-songwriter era of the 1970s, earning him widespread success and recognition for his distinctive style. "Forgive Me Lord" plays like a personal plea, a moment of reflection and seeking absolution.

AI-written from these sources:Gordon Lightfoot — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Forgive Me Lord

by Gordon Lightfoot

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C/D

C/G

G/B

Am7

Gordon Lightfoot - Forgive Me Lord

CAPO: 2nd Fret

[Verse 1]

G B7 Em G7 C

Make my world a better place to be

C/D G C/G

Remove these chains and set me free

G B7 Em G7 C

Give my life one reason to begin

C/D G C

Forgive me lord, for I have sinned

[Verse 2]

G B7 Em G7 C

Take my hand and lead me as you choose

C/D G C/G

It seems we ain't got much to lose

G B7 Em G7 C

Give this place one season without shame

C/D G C/G

Forgive me lord, I've sinned again

[Bridge 1]

G F

I been down on my luck, as a matter of fact

Em G7

I've even been chaste

C G/B

Drifting along, singing a song

Am7 G

For the whole human race

I been caught in the act, as a matter of fact

Em G7

I'm even well known

C G/B

Floating on by with a laugh and a sigh

Am7 G C

On the road that leads home

G/B Am7 C/D

I got no more time left to roam

[Verse 3]

If you love me

G B7 Em G7 C

Take this world and build it as you please

C/D G C/G

With a little help from the likes of me

G B7 Em G7 C

Keep it safe from harm and make it pure

C/D G C/G G C D

Forgive the rich and save the poor

[Bridge 2]

G F

Like the dust on the wind, I've been taken again

Em G7

By my foolish pride

C G/B

Drifting along, singing a song

Am7 G

That's how I get by

I been caught in the act, as a matter of fact

Em G7

I've even been chaste

C G/B

Floating on by with a laugh and a sigh

Am7 G C

For the whole human race

G/B Am7 C/D

I got no more time left to waste

[Verse 4]

If you love me

G B7 Em G7 C

Make my world a better place to be

C/D G C/G

Remove these chains and set me free

G B7 Em G7 C

Give my face a different point of view

C/D G C/G G C D

Forgive us lord if we run to you

[Instrumental]

G F Em G7 C G/B Am7 G

F Em G7 C G/B Am7 G C G/B Am7 C/D

[Verse 5]

If you love me

G B7 Em G7 C

Make my world a better place to be

C/D G C/G

Remove these chains and set me free

G B7 Em G7 C

Give my life one reason to begin

C/D G C/G

Forgive me lord, for I have sinned

G B7 Em G7 C

Give my life one reason to begin

C/D G

Forgive me lord, for I have sinned

About Forgive Me Lord Chords by Gordon Lightfoot

Learn how to play Forgive Me Lord by Gordon Lightfoot with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Forgive Me Lord chords”, “Forgive Me Lord guitar chords”, or “Gordon Lightfoot Forgive Me Lord 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 Forgive Me Lord chords and for experienced players who want accurate Forgive Me Lord lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, B7, Em, G7, C, C/D.

FAQ — Forgive Me Lord by Gordon Lightfoot

How do I play "Forgive Me Lord" by Gordon Lightfoot on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Forgive Me Lord" 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 "Forgive Me Lord" by Gordon Lightfoot free?

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Can I transpose "Forgive Me Lord" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Forgive Me Lord"?

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

Is "Forgive Me Lord" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Forgive Me Lord" 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 "Forgive Me Lord" in?

The chords for "Forgive Me Lord" show the original chord names (including G, B7, Em, G7, C, C/D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.