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Slouching Towards Bethlehem

Chords

4.85 votes

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[Intro]
D7   G    Gm   D
D7   G    Gm   D
[Verse 1]
BmTurning and turning
GWithin the widening Dgyre
BmThe falcon cannot Ahear thGe falconDer
BmThings fall apart
The Gcenter cannot Dhold
And a Bmblood dimmed Gtide
Is loAosed upon the woDrld
BmNothing is sacred
GThe ceremony Dsinks
BmInnocence is dArowned
GIn anarchyD  
The Bmbest lack conviction
AGiven some time to tDhink
And the Bmworst are full of paGssion
Without AmercDy
[Refrain]
GSurely some revelDation is at Bmhand
Surely it's the second coming
And the wrath has Afinally taken fDorm
GFor what is this rough bAeast
Its hour come at lBmast
ASlouching toward Bethlehem to Dbe born
ASlouching toward Bethlehem to be born
[Interlude]
D7     G    Gm    D
D7     G    Gm    D
[Verse 2]
BmHoping and hoping
As Gif by my weak faitDh
BmThe spirit of this wAorld
Would hGeal and Drise
BmVast are the shadows
That Gstraddle and Dstrafe
And Bmstruggle in the Adarkness
GTroubling my eDyes
BmShaped like a lion
It has the Ghead of a Dman
With a Bmgaze as bAlank
And Gpitiless as the Dsun
And it's Bmmoving its slow thighs
Across the Gdesert sDands
Through dBmark indignAant
ReelGing falconDs
[Refrain]
GSurely some revelDation is at Bmhand
Surely it's the second coming
And the wrath has Afinally taken fDorm
GFor what is this rough bAeast
BmIts hour come at Alast
ASlouching toward Bethlehem to bDe born
ASlouching toward Bethlehem to be born
[Interlude]
D7     G    Gm    D
D7     G    Gm    D
[Verse 3]
BmRaging and raging
It rGises from the dDeep
BmOpening its eyes
AAfter tweGnty centurDies
BmVexed to a nightmare
AOut of a Gstony slDeep
BmBy a rocking cAradle
GBy the Sea of DGalilee
[Refrain]
GSurely some revelDation is at Bmhand
Surely it's the second coming
And the wrath has Afinally taken fDorm
GFor what is this rough bAeast
BmIts hour come at Alast
ASlouching toward Bethlehem to Dbe born
ASlouching toward Bethlehem to be born
[Outro]
D7     G    Gm    D
D7     G    Gm    D

All chords in this song (6)

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Slouching Towards Bethlehem

by Joni Mitchell

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

D7 G Gm D

[Verse 1]

Turning and turning

G D

Within the widening gyre

Bm A G D

The falcon cannot hear the falconer

Things fall apart

G D

The center cannot hold

Bm G

And a blood dimmed tide

A D

Is loosed upon the world

Nothing is sacred

G D

The ceremony sinks

Bm A

Innocence is drowned

G D

In anarchy

The best lack conviction

A D

Given some time to think

Bm G

And the worst are full of passion

A D

Without mercy

[Refrain]

G D Bm

Surely some revelation is at hand

Surely it's the second coming

A D

And the wrath has finally taken form

G A

For what is this rough beast

Its hour come at last

A D

Slouching toward Bethlehem to be born

[Interlude]

D7 G Gm D

[Verse 2]

Hoping and hoping

G D

As if by my weak faith

Bm A

The spirit of this world

G D

Would heal and rise

Vast are the shadows

G D

That straddle and strafe

Bm A

And struggle in the darkness

G D

Troubling my eyes

Shaped like a lion

G D

It has the head of a man

Bm A

With a gaze as blank

G D

And pitiless as the sun

And it's moving its slow thighs

G D

Across the desert sands

Bm A

Through dark indignant

G D

Reeling falcons

[Refrain]

G D Bm

Surely some revelation is at hand

Surely it's the second coming

A D

And the wrath has finally taken form

G A

For what is this rough beast

Bm A

Its hour come at last

A D

Slouching toward Bethlehem to be born

[Interlude]

D7 G Gm D

[Verse 3]

Raging and raging

G D

It rises from the deep

Opening its eyes

A G D

After twenty centuries

Vexed to a nightmare

A G D

Out of a stony sleep

Bm A

By a rocking cradle

G D

By the Sea of Galilee

[Refrain]

G D Bm

Surely some revelation is at hand

Surely it's the second coming

A D

And the wrath has finally taken form

G A

For what is this rough beast

Bm A

Its hour come at last

A D

Slouching toward Bethlehem to be born

[Outro]

D7 G Gm D

About Slouching Towards Bethlehem Chords by Joni Mitchell

Learn how to play Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joni Mitchell with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Slouching Towards Bethlehem chords”, “Slouching Towards Bethlehem guitar chords”, or “Joni Mitchell Slouching Towards Bethlehem 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 Slouching Towards Bethlehem chords and for experienced players who want accurate Slouching Towards Bethlehem lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D7, G, Gm, D, Bm, A.

FAQ — Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joni Mitchell

How do I play "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" by Joni Mitchell on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" by Joni Mitchell 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 "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" by Joni Mitchell free?

Yes. The chords for "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" by Joni Mitchell are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Slouching Towards Bethlehem"?

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

Is "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" by Joni Mitchell with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Joni Mitchell below.

What key is "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" in?

The chords for "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" show the original chord names (including D7, G, Gm, D, Bm, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.