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The Long Goodbye

Chords

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Cminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

This tab is based off the version of the song sung by Jack Sheldon.
The chord progression is simplified, since there's a lot of improvised chords in the original 
and every version is slightly different.
[Verse 1]
CmThere’s a long goodbye.
G7And it happens everydayBb7  G7  
Cmwhen some passerby
Fm7invites your eye
Bb7to come her way.
Dm7Even as she smiles
Dm7a quick hello,
Dm7you’ve let her go.
You’ve let Cmthe moment fly.
[Chorus 1]
CmToo late you’d turn your head,Fm7  
you’d Dm7know you’ve saidG7  
Cmthe long goodbye.
[Verse 2]
Can you G7recognise the theme –Bb7  G7  
Cmon some other street
Fm7two people meet
Bb7as in a dream,
Dm7running for a plane
Dm7through the rain.
Dm7If the heart is quicker Cmthan the eye,
Fm7they could be lovers
UnG7til they Cmdie.
[Chorus 2]
CmIt’s too late to try
Cmwhen a Fm7missed hello
Dm7becomes the G7long Cmgoodbye.

All chords in this song (5)

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The Long Goodbye

by John Williams

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Bb7

Fm7

Dm7

This tab is based off the version of the song sung by Jack Sheldon.

The chord progression is simplified, since there's a lot of improvised chords in the original

and every version is slightly different.

[Verse 1]

There’s a long goodbye.

G7 Bb7 G7

And it happens everyday

when some passerby

Fm7

invites your eye

Bb7

to come her way.

Dm7

Even as she smiles

Dm7

a quick hello,

Dm7

you’ve let her go.

You’ve let the moment fly.

[Chorus 1]

Cm Fm7

Too late you’d turn your head,

Dm7 G7

you’d know you’ve said

the long goodbye.

[Verse 2]

G7 Bb7 G7

Can you recognise the theme –

on some other street

Fm7

two people meet

Bb7

as in a dream,

Dm7

running for a plane

Dm7

through the rain.

Dm7 Cm

If the heart is quicker than the eye,

Fm7

they could be lovers

G7 Cm

Until they die.

[Chorus 2]

It’s too late to try

Cm Fm7

when a missed hello

Dm7 G7 Cm

becomes the long goodbye.

About The Long Goodbye Chords by John Williams

Learn how to play The Long Goodbye by John Williams with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Long Goodbye chords”, “The Long Goodbye guitar chords”, or “John Williams The Long Goodbye 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 The Long Goodbye chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Long Goodbye lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Cm, G7, Bb7, Fm7, Dm7.

FAQ — The Long Goodbye by John Williams

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Can I transpose "The Long Goodbye" to a different key?

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

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

Is "The Long Goodbye" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Long Goodbye" in?

The chords for "The Long Goodbye" show the original chord names (including Cm, G7, Bb7, Fm7, Dm7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.