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Smithsonian

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Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Capo 3rd fret
[Intro]
G  C  G  C  G  C  D  G
[Chorus]
GCall the Smithsonian I Cmade a dGiscovery
GLife ain't forever and lunch isn't Dfree
GLoved ones will B7break your heart wCith or withoGut you
CTurns out we Gdon't get to Dknow everyGthing
[Break]
G  C  G  C  G  C  D  G
[Verse 1]
DGet the young scientists, Ctell them "come quick"
I Gmust be the first man that's Dever seen this
DLines on my face, my Cteeth are not white
My Geyes do not work and my Dlegs don't move right
[Chorus]
GCall the Smithsonian I Cmade a dGiscovery
GLife ain't forever and lunch isn't Dfree
GLoved ones will B7break your heart wCith or withoGut you
CTurns out we Gdon't get to Dknow everyGthing
[Break]
G  C  G  C  G  C  D  G
[Verse 2]
DI wonder if Romeo Cever got scared
GTaken but shaken, Dunprepared
DUnder the balcony, Cunder the trees
GFully unknowing of Dwhere this would lead
DWhat if we marry or Cgive up the ghost?
GOr we abandon Dthose we love most?
DWhat if you carry Cme and lay me down
GOnce you get used to me Dbeing around?
[Chorus]
GCall the Smithsonian I Cmade a dGiscovery
GLife ain't forever and lunch isn't Dfree
GLoved ones will B7break your heart wCith or withoGut you
CTurns out we Gdon't get to Dknow everyGthing
[Break]
G  C  G  C  G  C  D  G
[Verse 3]
DMy bedroom's an office, Cmy kitchen's a car
GMy life is a joke, Dmy bathroom's a bar
DI go there a lot, Cmore than I should
GI know I should stop but it Dfeels too damn good
[Chorus]
GCall the Smithsonian I Cmade a dGiscovery
GLife ain't forever and lunch isn't Dfree
GLoved ones will B7break your heart wCith or withoGut you
CTurns out we Gdon't get to Dknow everyGthing
CTurns out we Gdon't get to Dknow everyGthing
[Outro]
G  C  G  C  G  C  G  C
G  C  G  C  G  C  D  G

All chords in this song (4)

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Smithsonian

by The Avett Brothers

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 3 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Capo 3rd fret

[Intro]

G C G C G C D G

[Chorus]

G C G

Call the Smithsonian I made a discovery

G D

Life ain't forever and lunch isn't free

G B7 C G

Loved ones will break your heart with or without you

C G D G

Turns out we don't get to know everything

[Break]

G C G C G C D G

[Verse 1]

D C

Get the young scientists, tell them "come quick"

G D

I must be the first man that's ever seen this

D C

Lines on my face, my teeth are not white

G D

My eyes do not work and my legs don't move right

[Chorus]

G C G

Call the Smithsonian I made a discovery

G D

Life ain't forever and lunch isn't free

G B7 C G

Loved ones will break your heart with or without you

C G D G

Turns out we don't get to know everything

[Break]

G C G C G C D G

[Verse 2]

D C

I wonder if Romeo ever got scared

G D

Taken but shaken, unprepared

D C

Under the balcony, under the trees

G D

Fully unknowing of where this would lead

D C

What if we marry or give up the ghost?

G D

Or we abandon those we love most?

D C

What if you carry me and lay me down

G D

Once you get used to me being around?

[Chorus]

G C G

Call the Smithsonian I made a discovery

G D

Life ain't forever and lunch isn't free

G B7 C G

Loved ones will break your heart with or without you

C G D G

Turns out we don't get to know everything

[Break]

G C G C G C D G

[Verse 3]

D C

My bedroom's an office, my kitchen's a car

G D

My life is a joke, my bathroom's a bar

D C

I go there a lot, more than I should

G D

I know I should stop but it feels too damn good

[Chorus]

G C G

Call the Smithsonian I made a discovery

G D

Life ain't forever and lunch isn't free

G B7 C G

Loved ones will break your heart with or without you

C G D G

Turns out we don't get to know everything

C G D G

Turns out we don't get to know everything

[Outro]

G C G C G C G C

G C G C G C D G

About Smithsonian Chords by The Avett Brothers

Learn how to play Smithsonian by The Avett Brothers with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Smithsonian chords”, “Smithsonian guitar chords”, or “The Avett Brothers Smithsonian 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 Smithsonian chords and for experienced players who want accurate Smithsonian lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, D, B7.

FAQ — Smithsonian by The Avett Brothers

How do I play "Smithsonian" by The Avett Brothers on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Smithsonian" to a different key?

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Can I see chord diagrams for "Smithsonian"?

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

Is "Smithsonian" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Smithsonian" in?

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