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I Once Knew

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[Intro]
C G C Am C F
I oCnce knew a woman who tried to Amkeep going
Who mCade more of lCife than what sAmhe had been dealtF  
A woCman who Craised a city of chEmildren 
Who nBbever got back or got aFsked how she GfeltF  G  F  G  
CI once knew a woCman who had a lAmaugh just like thunder
CAnd hands that can wCipe away anyAmone’s teaFrs
A woCmen’s whose life wasn’t Ammeasured by tEmime
Who sBbtayed the same age deFspite passing yGearsF  G  F  G  
So look brightC, so look strongAm  
          C   Em(D)                Am     F  
Act the unbeatable part you once played
So hold tightC, so hold oAmn
                 C  Em(D)               Am  F  
Hold fast to the delicate future you made
Cause as BbI’m getting older 
I’m fCinding the Amholes
I Bbnever wanted to seeC  
So hold onC, hold faAmst, hold Ftighter for meC  
I oCnce knew a wComan who would tAmake me to breakfast
Who tCaught me that CI could mix keAmtchup with eggs
I Conce knew a woman who saw all my mFoments 
Who tBbaught me to sing and to sFtand on both GlegsF  G  F  G  
I Conce knew a Cwoman not scAmared to be challenged
CEmbracing all chCances altEmhough she could fail
And Cwhen she fCell down she wouF7ld always get up
I Bbwasn’t afraid, I kFnew she’d prevGail 
So look brightC, so look sAmtrong
CAct the unbEmeatable part yoAmu once plaFyed
So hold tightC, so hold Amon
Hold Cfast to the dEmelicate fAmuture you mFade
Cause as BbI’m getting older 
I’m fiFnding the hoAmles
I nBbever wanted to Fsee
So hold oCn, hold faAmst, hold tFighter fGor Cme 
AmI don’t have to leFave I can stAmay by your sCide
GWhat can I do so you’re aEmble to seEe
That I wAmon’t ever Dmtry without yDou there to catch mGe
FSo please be the wComan I nFmeed you to Dbe.
DDon’t cry, and act strGong
EmBe the unbeatable paGrt you once played
So just Atry and Ghold on
                         D(Minor)      A  
Everything’s fine mom, you cant be afraid
So hold oDmn, hold faGst, hold tEmighter for mDe

All chords in this song (12)

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I Once Knew

by Pasek and Paul

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

C G C Am C F

C Am

I once knew a woman who tried to keep going

C C Am F

Who made more of life than what she had been dealt

C C Em

A woman who raised a city of children

Bb F G F G F G

Who never got back or got asked how she felt

C C Am

I once knew a woman who had a laugh just like thunder

C C Am F

And hands that can wipe away anyone’s tears

C Am Em

A women’s whose life wasn’t measured by time

Bb F G F G F G

Who stayed the same age despite passing years

C Am

So look bright, so look strong

C Em D Am F

()

Act the unbeatable part you once played

C Am

So hold tight, so hold on

C Em D Am F

()

Hold fast to the delicate future you made

Cause as I’m getting older

C Am

I’m finding the holes

Bb C

I never wanted to see

C Am F C

So hold on, hold fast, hold tighter for me

C C Am

I once knew a woman who would take me to breakfast

C C Am

Who taught me that I could mix ketchup with eggs

C F

I once knew a woman who saw all my moments

Bb F G F G F G

Who taught me to sing and to stand on both legs

C C Am

I once knew a woman not scared to be challenged

C C Em

Embracing all chances although she could fail

C C F7

And when she fell down she would always get up

Bb F G

I wasn’t afraid, I knew she’d prevail

C Am

So look bright, so look strong

C Em Am F

Act the unbeatable part you once played

C Am

So hold tight, so hold on

C Em Am F

Hold fast to the delicate future you made

Cause as I’m getting older

F Am

I’m finding the holes

Bb F

I never wanted to see

C Am F G C

So hold on, hold fast, hold tighter for me

Am F Am C

I don’t have to leave I can stay by your side

G Em E

What can I do so you’re able to see

Am Dm D G

That I won’t ever try without you there to catch me

F C Fm D

So please be the woman I need you to be.

D G

Don’t cry, and act strong

Em G

Be the unbeatable part you once played

A G

So just try and hold on

D A

(Minor)

Everything’s fine mom, you cant be afraid

Dm G Em D

So hold on, hold fast, hold tighter for me

About I Once Knew Chords by Pasek and Paul

Learn how to play I Once Knew by Pasek and Paul with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “I Once Knew chords”, “I Once Knew guitar chords”, or “Pasek and Paul I Once Knew 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 I Once Knew chords and for experienced players who want accurate I Once Knew lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, Am, F, Em, A.

FAQ — I Once Knew by Pasek and Paul

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Is "I Once Knew" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "I Once Knew" in?

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