Now playing

What It Is

Chords

4.759 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

F#minor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/51

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 51Position: 9

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

[Verse riff]
e|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-10--------------10--------------------10--------------10--------------------------|
G|-9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9----9-11~--9~---9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9----9-11~-------------|
D|--------------11--------11--------------------------11--------11-------11-9-7~-9~--|
A|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| (x2)
[Chorus riff]
e|--------------------------------------------------|
B|------------------5h7~--5h7p5----6/7-7------------|
G|---2h4/6/4p2-----6--------------------6-----------|
D|-4--------------7----------------------7----------|
A|--------------------------------------------9brp7-|
E|--------------------------------------------------|
[Intro]
    F#m    D    Ex8
[Verse]
The F#mdrinking dens are spilling out and stagAgering in the square
There`s Dlads and lassies falling about and a crAackling in the Eair
F#mDown around the dungeon doors, the shAelters and the queues
DEverybody`s looking for someAbody`s arms to fEall into this way...
[Chorus]
It`s F#mwhat it isD  E  
It`s what it F#mis nowD  E  
[Verse]
There`s F#mfrost on the graves and the monuments but the tAaverns are warm in town
DPeople curse the government and Ashovel hot food Edown
F#mLights are out in city hall, the Acastle and the keep
DMoon shines down upon it all the Alegless and Easleep
[Pre-Chorus]
DCold on the tollgate where the wagAons creeping through
DCold on the tollgate, god knAows what I Ecan do with you
[Chorus]
It`s what it F#misD  E  
It`s what it F#mis nowD  E  
[Verse]
The F#mgarnison sleeps in the citadel with the gAhosts and the ancient stones
DHigh on the parapet the scottish pAipers stEands alone
F#mHigh on the wind the highland drAums begin to roll
DAnd something from the past just Acomes and stares Einto my soul
[Pre-Chorus]
DCold on the tollgate where the Acaledonian blues
DCold on the tollgate, god kAnows what I can do Ewith you
[Chorus]
It`s F#mwhat it isD  E  
It`s what it F#mis nowD  E  
It`s what it F#misD  E  
It`s what it F#mis nowD  E  
[Solo]
  F#m    A   D   A    Ex2
    F#m    D    Ex4
[Verse]
There’s a F#mchink of light as a burning wick, there’s a Alantern in the tower
DWee Willie Winkie with the candle sticks still wrAiting songs in the Ewee wee hours
On F#mCharlotte Street they take a walking Astick from my hotel
DThe ghost of Dirty Dick is still in Asearch of Little ENell
[Chorus]
It`s F#mwhat it isD  E  
It`s what it F#mis nowD  E  
It`s what it F#misD  E  
It`s what it F#mis now...D  E  
[Outro]
    F#m    D    Ex24

All chords in this song (4)

🎸 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

What It Is

by Mark Knopfler

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

[Verse riff]

e|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

B|-10--------------10--------------------10--------------10--------------------------|

G|-9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9----9-11~--9~---9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9----9-11~-------------|

D|--------------11--------11--------------------------11--------11-------11-9-7~-9~--|

A|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

E|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| (x2)

[Chorus riff]

e|--------------------------------------------------|

B|------------------5h7~--5h7p5----6/7-7------------|

G|---2h4/6/4p2-----6--------------------6-----------|

D|-4--------------7----------------------7----------|

A|--------------------------------------------9brp7-|

E|--------------------------------------------------|

[Intro]

F#m D E

[Verse]

F#m A

The drinking dens are spilling out and staggering in the square

D A E

There`s lads and lassies falling about and a crackling in the air

F#m A

Down around the dungeon doors, the shelters and the queues

D A E

Everybody`s looking for somebody`s arms to fall into this way...

[Chorus]

F#m D E

It`s what it is

F#m D E

It`s what it is now

[Verse]

F#m A

There`s frost on the graves and the monuments but the taverns are warm in town

D A E

People curse the government and shovel hot food down

F#m A

Lights are out in city hall, the castle and the keep

D A E

Moon shines down upon it all the legless and asleep

[Pre-Chorus]

D A

Cold on the tollgate where the wagons creeping through

D A E

Cold on the tollgate, god knows what I can do with you

[Chorus]

F#m D E

It`s what it is

F#m D E

It`s what it is now

[Verse]

F#m A

The garnison sleeps in the citadel with the ghosts and the ancient stones

D A E

High on the parapet the scottish pipers stands alone

F#m A

High on the wind the highland drums begin to roll

D A E

And something from the past just comes and stares into my soul

[Pre-Chorus]

D A

Cold on the tollgate where the caledonian blues

D A E

Cold on the tollgate, god knows what I can do with you

[Chorus]

F#m D E

It`s what it is

F#m D E

It`s what it is now

F#m D E

It`s what it is

F#m D E

It`s what it is now

[Solo]

F#m A D A E

F#m D E

[Verse]

F#m A

There’s a chink of light as a burning wick, there’s a lantern in the tower

D A E

Wee Willie Winkie with the candle sticks still writing songs in the wee wee hours

F#m A

On Charlotte Street they take a walking stick from my hotel

D A E

The ghost of Dirty Dick is still in search of Little Nell

[Chorus]

F#m D E

It`s what it is

F#m D E

It`s what it is now

F#m D E

It`s what it is

F#m D E

It`s what it is now...

[Outro]

F#m D E

x24

About What It Is Chords by Mark Knopfler

Learn how to play What It Is by Mark Knopfler with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “What It Is chords”, “What It Is guitar chords”, or “Mark Knopfler What It Is 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 What It Is chords and for experienced players who want accurate What It Is lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include B, G, D, A, E, F#m.

FAQ — What It Is by Mark Knopfler

How do I play "What It Is" by Mark Knopfler on guitar?

Open the free chords for "What It Is" by Mark Knopfler 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 "What It Is" by Mark Knopfler free?

Yes. The chords for "What It Is" by Mark Knopfler are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "What It Is" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "What It Is"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "What It Is" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "What It Is" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "What It Is" by Mark Knopfler with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Mark Knopfler below.

What key is "What It Is" in?

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