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Skates

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Aminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Intro + Verse        Chorus   
----------------     ------------------  
  E022100              E022100
  C8-10-10-9-0-0       G32003x
  G355xxx              Ax0222x
  A577600              D10-12-12-11-x-x
                       C8-10-10-9-x-x
- Tune down two full steps (C-standard) to match album recording 
- Live performances typically tuned down only one full step (D-standard)
- Chords identified as if in E-standard tuning to maintain regular chord shapes
[Intro]
C |--E---0-0-0---C----0-0-0--G----A---0-0-0-0--0-0-0--|
G |-----0-0-0-------0-0-0---------0-0-0-0--0-0-0--|
D#|-----1-1-1-------9-9-9---------6-6-6-6--6-6-6--|
A#|--2---------/10---------5--/7--------7---------| x2
F |--2---------/10---------5--/7--------7---------| 
C |--0---------/8----------3--/5--------5---------|
[Verse 1]
When I was EyoungerC  G  A  
A part-time job EworkerC  G  A  
Department store EcentreC  G  A  
I saw a man EenterC  G  A  
He was Emiddle-agedC  G  A  
Deep lines Eon his faceC  G  A  
Tight mouth Eand eyes glazedC  G  A  
Eyelids just Ehalf-raisedC  G  A  
[Chorus 1]
And I looked at Ehim, he Glooked at Ame
He looked so Esad, I Ghad to Asee
What did he Ewant, what Gcould it Abe
What had he Ebeen through Gbefore meA  
Seeing him in the Dstore, I worked Cfor
That EyearC  G  A  
That EyearC  G  A  
[Verse 2]
Ice skates he Easked forC  G  A  
In the middle of EsummerC  G  A  
He wanted a Egood pairC  G  A  
The price he did Enot careC  G  A  
I looked Efor his sizeC  G  A  
Our best pair Ehe triedC  G  A  
Custom Eback and sidesC  G  A  
Excitement Ein his eyesC  G  A  
[Chorus 2]
And I looked at Ehim, he Glooked at Ame
He looked so Esad, I Ghad to Asee
What did he Ewant, what Gcould it Abe
What had he Ebeen through Gbefore meA  
Seeing him in the Dstore, I worked Cfor
That EyearC  G  A  
That EyearC  G  A  
[Harmonica Solo]
E  C  A
E  C  A
E  C  A
E  C  A
E  C  G A
E  C  G A
[Verse 3]
I asked are Eyou a proC  G  A  
He looked sad and Esaid noC  G  A  
These skates are Emy last hopeC  G  A  
Without them I Ecannot copeC  G  A  
[Chorus 3]
And he said my Ewife, she Gdrowned this Asummer
Behind our Ehouse, the Griver Atook her
I cannot Eswim, I Gneed to Afind her
I will Ewait, till Git freezes Aover
And then I will Dskate, as far as it Ctakes
I will Dskate, as far as it Ctakes
To bring her back EhomeC  G  A  
To bring her back EhomeC  G  A  
To bring her back EhomeC  G  A  
Back Ehome

All chords in this song (5)

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Skates

by Hayden

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Intro + Verse Chorus

---------------- ------------------

E E

022100 022100

C G

8-10-10-9-0-0 32003x

G A

355xxx x0222x

A D

577600 10-12-12-11-x-x

8-10-10-9-x-x

- Tune down two full steps (C-standard) to match album recording

- Live performances typically tuned down only one full step (D-standard)

- Chords identified as if in E-standard tuning to maintain regular chord shapes

[Intro]

E C G A

C |-----0-0-0-------0-0-0---------0-0-0-0--0-0-0--|

G |-----0-0-0-------0-0-0---------0-0-0-0--0-0-0--|

D#|-----1-1-1-------9-9-9---------6-6-6-6--6-6-6--|

A#|--2---------/10---------5--/7--------7---------| x2

F |--2---------/10---------5--/7--------7---------|

C |--0---------/8----------3--/5--------5---------|

[Verse 1]

E C G A

When I was younger

E C G A

A part-time job worker

E C G A

Department store centre

E C G A

I saw a man enter

E C G A

He was middle-aged

E C G A

Deep lines on his face

E C G A

Tight mouth and eyes glazed

E C G A

Eyelids just half-raised

[Chorus 1]

E G A

And I looked at him, he looked at me

E G A

He looked so sad, I had to see

E G A

What did he want, what could it be

E G A

What had he been through before me

D C

Seeing him in the store, I worked for

E C G A

That year

E C G A

That year

[Verse 2]

E C G A

Ice skates he asked for

E C G A

In the middle of summer

E C G A

He wanted a good pair

E C G A

The price he did not care

E C G A

I looked for his size

E C G A

Our best pair he tried

E C G A

Custom back and sides

E C G A

Excitement in his eyes

[Chorus 2]

E G A

And I looked at him, he looked at me

E G A

He looked so sad, I had to see

E G A

What did he want, what could it be

E G A

What had he been through before me

D C

Seeing him in the store, I worked for

E C G A

That year

E C G A

That year

[Harmonica Solo]

E C A

E C G A

[Verse 3]

E C G A

I asked are you a pro

E C G A

He looked sad and said no

E C G A

These skates are my last hope

E C G A

Without them I cannot cope

[Chorus 3]

E G A

And he said my wife, she drowned this summer

E G A

Behind our house, the river took her

E G A

I cannot swim, I need to find her

E G A

I will wait, till it freezes over

D C

And then I will skate, as far as it takes

D C

I will skate, as far as it takes

E C G A

To bring her back home

E C G A

To bring her back home

E C G A

To bring her back home

Back home

About Skates Chords by Hayden

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

FAQ — Skates by Hayden

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Is "Skates" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Skates" in?

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