Now playing

O Children

Chords

4.9833 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

O Children by Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
From The Album Lyre of Orpheus
[Intro]
|       Em|        C|       Am|      G   D|
[Verse]
   EmPass me that lovely little gun
   CMy dear, my darling one
   AmThe cleaners are coming, one by one
   GYou don't even wanna Dlet them Emstart
[Interlude]
|(Em)     |        C|       Am|      G   D|
[Verse]
   EmThey're knocking now upon your door
   CThey measure the room, they know the score
   AmThey're mopping up the butcher's floor
   GOf your broken Dlittle heEmarts
[Chorus]
(Em)      C     Am         G  D  
Oooo-oooo-oooo-oooo children
[Verse]
   EmForgive us now for what we've done
   CIt started out as a bit of fun
   AmHere, take these before we run away
   GThe keys Dto the gEmulag
[Chorus]
(Em)     Cmaj7  
    Oooo children
   GLift up your vDoice, lift up your vEmoice
Cmaj7Children
   GRejDoice, rejEmoice
[Interlude]
|(Em)      |        C|       Am|      G   D|
[Verse]
   EmHere comes Frank and poor old Jim
   CThey're gathering round with all my friends
   AmWe're older now, the light is dim
   GAnd you are only Djust beginEmning
[Chorus]
(Em)      C     Am         G  D  
Oooo-oooo-oooo-oooo children
[Verse]
   EmWe have the answer to all your fears
   CIt's short, it's simple, it's crystal clear
   AmIt's round about and it's somewhere here
   GLost amongst Dour winnEmings
[Chorus]
(Em)     Cmaj7  
    Oooo children
   GLift up your vDoice, lift up your vEmoice
Cmaj7Children
   GRejDoice, rejEmoice
[Verse]
(Em)
The cleaners have done their job on you
   CThey're hip to it, man, they're in the groove
   AmThey've hosed you down, you're good as new
   GAnd they're lining up Dto iEmnspect you
[Chorus]
(Em)      C     Am         G  D  
Oooo-oooo-oooo-oooo children
[Verse]
   EmPoor old Jim's white as a ghost
   CHe's found the answers that we lost
   AmWe're all weeping now, weeping because
   GThere ain't nothing we can Ddo to Emprotect you
[Chorus]
(Em)     Cmaj7  
    Oooo children
   GLift up your vDoice, lift up your vEmoice
Cmaj7Children
   GRejDoice, rejEmoice
[Verse]
(Em)
Hey little train! We're jumping on
The Ctrain that goes to the Kingdom
  AmWe're happy, Ma, we're having fun
And the Gtrain ain't even left Dthe stEmation
[Verse]
(Em)
Hey little train! Wait for me!
I Conce was blind but now I see
AmHave you left a seat for me?
Is that Gsuch a stretch of the imaDginEmation?
[Verse]
(Em)
Hey little train! Wait for me!
I was Cheld in chains but now I'm free
  AmI'm hanging in there, don't you see
In this Gprocess of eliDminEmation
[Verse]
(Em)
Hey little train! We're jumping on
The Ctrain that goes to the Kingdom
We'reAm, we're happy, Ma, we're having fun
It's beGyond my wildest exDpectEmation
[Verse]
(Em)
Hey little train! We're jumping on
The Ctrain that goes to the Kingdom
 AmWe're happy, Ma, we're having fun
The Gtrain ain't even left Dthe stEmation
(Fade out)

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

O Children

by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Cmaj7

O Children by Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds

From The Album Lyre of Orpheus

[Intro]

Em C Am G D

| | | | |

[Verse]

Pass me that lovely little gun

My dear, my darling one

The cleaners are coming, one by one

G D Em

You don't even wanna let them start

[Interlude]

Em C Am G D

|() | | | |

[Verse]

They're knocking now upon your door

They measure the room, they know the score

They're mopping up the butcher's floor

G D Em

Of your broken little hearts

[Chorus]

Em C Am G D

()

Oooo-oooo-oooo-oooo children

[Verse]

Forgive us now for what we've done

It started out as a bit of fun

Here, take these before we run away

G D Em

The keys to the gulag

[Chorus]

Em Cmaj7

()

Oooo children

G D Em

Lift up your voice, lift up your voice

Cmaj7

Children

G D Em

Rejoice, rejoice

[Interlude]

Em C Am G D

|() | | | |

[Verse]

Here comes Frank and poor old Jim

They're gathering round with all my friends

We're older now, the light is dim

G D Em

And you are only just beginning

[Chorus]

Em C Am G D

()

Oooo-oooo-oooo-oooo children

[Verse]

We have the answer to all your fears

It's short, it's simple, it's crystal clear

It's round about and it's somewhere here

G D Em

Lost amongst our winnings

[Chorus]

Em Cmaj7

()

Oooo children

G D Em

Lift up your voice, lift up your voice

Cmaj7

Children

G D Em

Rejoice, rejoice

[Verse]

()

The cleaners have done their job on you

They're hip to it, man, they're in the groove

They've hosed you down, you're good as new

G D Em

And they're lining up to inspect you

[Chorus]

Em C Am G D

()

Oooo-oooo-oooo-oooo children

[Verse]

Poor old Jim's white as a ghost

He's found the answers that we lost

We're all weeping now, weeping because

G D Em

There ain't nothing we can do to protect you

[Chorus]

Em Cmaj7

()

Oooo children

G D Em

Lift up your voice, lift up your voice

Cmaj7

Children

G D Em

Rejoice, rejoice

[Verse]

()

Hey little train! We're jumping on

The train that goes to the Kingdom

We're happy, Ma, we're having fun

G D Em

And the train ain't even left the station

[Verse]

()

Hey little train! Wait for me!

I once was blind but now I see

Have you left a seat for me?

G D Em

Is that such a stretch of the imagination?

[Verse]

()

Hey little train! Wait for me!

I was held in chains but now I'm free

I'm hanging in there, don't you see

G D Em

In this process of elimination

[Verse]

()

Hey little train! We're jumping on

The train that goes to the Kingdom

We're, we're happy, Ma, we're having fun

G D Em

It's beyond my wildest expectation

[Verse]

()

Hey little train! We're jumping on

The train that goes to the Kingdom

We're happy, Ma, we're having fun

G D Em

The train ain't even left the station

(Fade out)

About O Children Chords by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Learn how to play O Children by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “O Children chords”, “O Children guitar chords”, or “Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds O Children 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 O Children chords and for experienced players who want accurate O Children lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, C, Am, G, D, Cmaj7.

FAQ — O Children by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

How do I play "O Children" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds on guitar?

Open the free chords for "O Children" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 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 "O Children" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds free?

Yes. The chords for "O Children" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "O Children" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "O Children"?

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

Is "O Children" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "O Children" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds below.

What key is "O Children" in?

The chords for "O Children" show the original chord names (including Em, C, Am, G, D, Cmaj7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.