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A Year

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Emajor

90BPM

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[Verse 1]
The Eonly time I've seen you was aAbout a Byear agEo
I was afraid to hold you but I Awanted Byou to knoEw
I Btouched your tiny perfect Ahand Bbefore I went upAtown
I Edidn't pick you up because I'd Ahave to Bput you Edown
[Verse 2]
For Ereasons that don't make much sense and Ayou won't BunderstandE  
I've stayed away for your first year, it's Asort of Bwhat I planneEd
But BI've been in your neighbourAhood, Bsometimes just blocks aAway
I Edidn't come to visit you Abecause BI couldn't Estay
[Bridge]
There F#mwas a baby Aon a plane, Bmaybe she was tEwo
And F#mshe was smiling Aat me I Bwas not sure what to Edo
I've Bkept my distance from Ayou Ba year's much more than a Awhile
And Eso I looked away from her Atoo aBshamed to sEmile
[Verse 3]
When EI saw you last year, I knew that Athere was Bno mistakEe
Amazing things can happen why Ajust look what Blife can Emake
But Blife can get so hard someAtimes Bsome feelings can't be Atamed
And Epeople get so angry AfrighBtened and asEhamed
[Verse 4]
You've Ebeen a sort of secret for a Ayear I've Btold but feEw
Although I’m sure that where you are Aso many Bmust love Eyou
And BI've passed by your Awindow Bbut haven't dared look Ain
AlEthough I know I'd love you too, I'm Atoo sBcared to beEgin

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A Year

by Loudon Wainwright III

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

[Verse 1]

E A B E

The only time I've seen you was about a year ago

A B E

I was afraid to hold you but I wanted you to know

B A B A

I touched your tiny perfect hand before I went uptown

E A B E

I didn't pick you up because I'd have to put you down

[Verse 2]

E A B E

For reasons that don't make much sense and you won't understand

A B E

I've stayed away for your first year, it's sort of what I planned

B A B A

But I've been in your neighbourhood, sometimes just blocks away

E A B E

I didn't come to visit you because I couldn't stay

[Bridge]

F#m A B E

There was a baby on a plane, maybe she was two

F#m A B E

And she was smiling at me I was not sure what to do

B A B A

I've kept my distance from you a year's much more than a while

E A B E

And so I looked away from her too ashamed to smile

[Verse 3]

E A B E

When I saw you last year, I knew that there was no mistake

A B E

Amazing things can happen why just look what life can make

B A B A

But life can get so hard sometimes some feelings can't be tamed

E A B E

And people get so angry frightened and ashamed

[Verse 4]

E A B E

You've been a sort of secret for a year I've told but few

A B E

Although I’m sure that where you are so many must love you

B A B A

And I've passed by your window but haven't dared look in

E A B E

Although I know I'd love you too, I'm too scared to begin

About A Year Chords by Loudon Wainwright III

Learn how to play A Year by Loudon Wainwright III with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “A Year chords”, “A Year guitar chords”, or “Loudon Wainwright III A Year 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 A Year chords and for experienced players who want accurate A Year lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, A, B, F#m.

FAQ — A Year by Loudon Wainwright III

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Is "A Year" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "A Year" in?

The chords for "A Year" show the original chord names (including E, A, B, F#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.