Now playing

How Was I To Know

Chords

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
C G Am F
C G C  F C
[Verse 1]
CBack in New York GCity
AmLast time you walked with Fme
CPeacoats and feGdoras
AmJazz music played Ffor us
CCool breeze in the Gpark
AmStiff drinks after Fdark
CHow was GI to CknowF  C  
[Chorus]
CHow was GI to Amknow
That'd be the Flast time
CThat GI'd see your AmfaceF  
You Cput your hand on my Gshoulder
The Amlast time you'd grow Folder
CHow was GI to CknowF  C  
[Verse 2]
CBack in New York GCity
AmLast time you talked with Fme
Of Cpast recolGlection
A Amlifetime of conFnections
Of Cpeople that you Gmissed
And Amjokes of bucket Flists
CHow was GI to CknowF  C  
[Chorus]
CHow was GI to Amknow
That'd be the Flast time
CThat GI'd see your AmfaceF  
You Cput your arm 'round my Gshoulder
The Amlast time you'd grow Folder
CHow was GI to CknowF  C  
[Bridge]
And the Gthought that I Amfeel
Is so Fpainfully Greal
Your soul's everyAmwhere
Like snow Fhanging in the Gair
The lessons you left beAmhind
They're Falways on my Gmind
The beating in my Amheart
And a Fdying work of Gart
[Chorus]
CHow was GI to Amknow
That'd be the Flast time
CThat GI'd see your AmfaceF  
WithCout your arm 'round my Gshoulder
Ths Amworld is so much Fcolder
CHow was GI to CknowF  C  
CHow was GI to CknowF  C  
[Verse 3]
CBack in New York GCity
AmThis time you're not with Fme
But a Clove that's undeGnied
Big Ambright eyes by my Fside
A Cnew world to exGplore
My Amdaughter to aFdore
CHow was GI to CknowF  C  
[Outtro]
C G Am F
C G C  F C

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

How Was I To Know

by Gil McKinney

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

C G Am F

C G C F C

[Verse 1]

C G

Back in New York City

Am F

Last time you walked with me

C G

Peacoats and fedoras

Am F

Jazz music played for us

C G

Cool breeze in the park

Am F

Stiff drinks after dark

C G C F C

How was I to know

[Chorus]

C G Am

How was I to know

That'd be the last time

C G Am F

That I'd see your face

C G

You put your hand on my shoulder

Am F

The last time you'd grow older

C G C F C

How was I to know

[Verse 2]

C G

Back in New York City

Am F

Last time you talked with me

C G

Of past recollection

Am F

A lifetime of connections

C G

Of people that you missed

Am F

And jokes of bucket lists

C G C F C

How was I to know

[Chorus]

C G Am

How was I to know

That'd be the last time

C G Am F

That I'd see your face

C G

You put your arm 'round my shoulder

Am F

The last time you'd grow older

C G C F C

How was I to know

[Bridge]

G Am

And the thought that I feel

F G

Is so painfully real

Your soul's everywhere

F G

Like snow hanging in the air

The lessons you left behind

F G

They're always on my mind

The beating in my heart

F G

And a dying work of art

[Chorus]

C G Am

How was I to know

That'd be the last time

C G Am F

That I'd see your face

C G

Without your arm 'round my shoulder

Am F

Ths world is so much colder

C G C F C

How was I to know

C G C F C

How was I to know

[Verse 3]

C G

Back in New York City

Am F

This time you're not with me

C G

But a love that's undenied

Am F

Big bright eyes by my side

C G

A new world to explore

Am F

My daughter to adore

C G C F C

How was I to know

[Outtro]

C G Am F

C G C F C

About How Was I To Know Chords by Gil McKinney

Learn how to play How Was I To Know by Gil McKinney with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “How Was I To Know chords”, “How Was I To Know guitar chords”, or “Gil McKinney How Was I To Know 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 How Was I To Know chords and for experienced players who want accurate How Was I To Know lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, Am, F, A.

FAQ — How Was I To Know by Gil McKinney

How do I play "How Was I To Know" by Gil McKinney on guitar?

Open the free chords for "How Was I To Know" by Gil McKinney 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 "How Was I To Know" by Gil McKinney free?

Yes. The chords for "How Was I To Know" by Gil McKinney are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "How Was I To Know" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "How Was I To Know" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "How Was I To Know"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "How Was I To Know" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "How Was I To Know" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "How Was I To Know" by Gil McKinney with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Gil McKinney below.

What key is "How Was I To Know" in?

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