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The Vow

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Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
C F Am F
[Verse 1]
AmMy old man was young once
Or so the Fphoto album claims
 CFlip the page the baby jumps
Some Gtwenty years and change
[Verse 2]
From the Amcradle to the naval base
A Fnewlywed recruit
Through the Cboot camp of a family man
In a Gloose civilian suit
[Bridge]
But it was Fanchors aweigh now
Singing "Courage, service true"
All them Amanchors will Fweigh you down
If Cyou ain't fit for Gblue
[Chorus]
What Fdid I know about it then?
CWhat do I know Gnow?
FI have known the kind of man
It Gtakes to keep the Amvow
To keep the Fvow
C F Am F
[Verse 3]
I'd say "Well AmI just thought…"
And he'd cut me off
Saying ‘FThat's what you get for thinking'
CI remember thinking that's probably Gnot the best lesson for a kid
[Verse 4]
And although Amthat was just something he said
When I Fsee what I get with my thinking
I get to Cthinking he may have been some kinda genius
In the Geffortless way he just did
[Bridge]
I Flearned your word is one thing,
You keep it if you give it out
But Amsilence fans the Ffires a man 
ReCquires to keep the vowG  
[Chorus]
What Fdid I know about it then?
CWhat do I know Gnow?
FI have known the kind of man
It Gtakes to keep the Amvow
To keep the Fvow
[Instrumental]
C F Am F
[Middle 8]
I could've Gmcurled up in one footprint,
One giant Flaugh, one giant hand
Until the Csickness and the treatment
Shrunk him Gdown to just a man
A Fshrinking man still tinkering with my old busted car
When his Cwedding ring must've slipped inGto the muddy yard
At Fleast that's what he figured when he noticed it was gone
I can Amstill see him Fon his knees Cdigging up that Glawn
[Verse 5]
AmNow the flag is folded and the numbers are carved, 
MissiFssippi is glistening green
Another Csummer's softly calling off 
The Gsearch for missing thingsG7  
[Bridge]
But FI have found that something kept 
To keep me company
On these Amnights when me and Fmy old man 
Go Cdigging into Gdreams
[Chorus]
What dFid I know about it then?
CWhat do I know Gnow?
FI have known the kind of man
It Gtakes to keep the Amvow
I can Fonly hope as I propose
To Cman the outpost Gnow
I'll be Farmed with memories of the man it Gtakes to keep the Amvow
To keep the Fvow
[Outro]
 C   F   Am   Fx4

All chords in this song (6)

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The Vow

by Cory Branan

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

C F Am F

[Verse 1]

My old man was young once

Or so the photo album claims

Flip the page the baby jumps

Some twenty years and change

[Verse 2]

From the cradle to the naval base

A newlywed recruit

Through the boot camp of a family man

In a loose civilian suit

[Bridge]

But it was anchors aweigh now

Singing "Courage, service true"

Am F

All them anchors will weigh you down

C G

If you ain't fit for blue

[Chorus]

What did I know about it then?

C G

What do I know now?

I have known the kind of man

G Am

It takes to keep the vow

To keep the vow

C F Am F

[Verse 3]

I'd say "Well I just thought…"

And he'd cut me off

Saying ‘That's what you get for thinking'

C G

I remember thinking that's probably not the best lesson for a kid

[Verse 4]

And although that was just something he said

When I see what I get with my thinking

I get to thinking he may have been some kinda genius

In the effortless way he just did

[Bridge]

I learned your word is one thing,

You keep it if you give it out

Am F

But silence fans the fires a man

C G

Requires to keep the vow

[Chorus]

What did I know about it then?

C G

What do I know now?

I have known the kind of man

G Am

It takes to keep the vow

To keep the vow

[Instrumental]

C F Am F

[Middle 8]

I could've curled up in one footprint,

One giant laugh, one giant hand

Until the sickness and the treatment

Shrunk him down to just a man

A shrinking man still tinkering with my old busted car

C G

When his wedding ring must've slipped into the muddy yard

At least that's what he figured when he noticed it was gone

Am F C G

I can still see him on his knees digging up that lawn

[Verse 5]

Now the flag is folded and the numbers are carved,

Mississippi is glistening green

Another summer's softly calling off

G G7

The search for missing things

[Bridge]

But I have found that something kept

To keep me company

Am F

On these nights when me and my old man

C G

Go digging into dreams

[Chorus]

What did I know about it then?

C G

What do I know now?

I have known the kind of man

G Am

It takes to keep the vow

I can only hope as I propose

C G

To man the outpost now

F G Am

I'll be armed with memories of the man it takes to keep the vow

To keep the vow

[Outro]

C F Am F

About The Vow Chords by Cory Branan

Learn how to play The Vow by Cory Branan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Vow chords”, “The Vow guitar chords”, or “Cory Branan The Vow 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 The Vow chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Vow lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, Am, G, A, Gm.

FAQ — The Vow by Cory Branan

How do I play "The Vow" by Cory Branan on guitar?

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Are the chords for "The Vow" by Cory Branan free?

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Can I transpose "The Vow" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Vow"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Vow" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Vow" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Vow" in?

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