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Now Be Thankful

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

As played (well, basically) by Richard Thompson on the 1994 live album "Two letter words".
Pay attention to the structure, it's unusual: the verse is 3 + 2 + 3 +3/4 bars,
and the refrain is 3 + 3 + 4 bars. Not the standard 8-bar thing.
The base Gm-Dm/F-C/E at the end of the chorus is optional, but nice (not the last time though).
[Verse 1]
FWhen the stCone is grBbown too Bb/Acold to knGmeel
In crFystal wF/Aaters IBb'll be bCound
FCold as stCone, wBbeary Bb/Ato the sGmounds uDmpon the whCeel [note: only 3 beats on the chord on "wheel"!]
[Chorus]
FNow be thCankful fBbor good Bb/Athings beGmlow
FNow be tF/Ahankful tBbo your mCaker
FFor the rCose, the rBbed rose bBb/Alooms for
Gmall Dm/Fto    C/Eknow
[Instrumental]
 Gm   Dm/F|  C/E   Dm|  C   Dm|  C/E|
[Verse 2]
FWhen the fCire is grBbown too Bb/Afierce to Gmbreathe
In bFurning F/Airons IBb'll be bCound
FFierce as fCire wBbeary Bb/Ato the sGmounds uDmpon the whCeel [note: only 3 beats on the chord on "wheel"!]
[Chorus]
FNow be thCankful fBbor good Bb/Athings beGmlow
FNow be tF/Ahankful Bbto your mCaker
FFor the rCose, the rBbed rose bBb/Alooms for
Gmall Dm/Fto    C/Eknow
[Instrumental]
 Gm   Dm/F|  C/E   Dm|  C   Dm|  C/E|
[Mandolin solo over verse]
  F     C|   Bb   Bb/A|      Gm|
  F   F/A|   Bb      C|
F  C   | Bb  Bb/A | Gm  Dm | C  [note: only 3 beats on this chord!] |
[Guitar solo over chorus]
  F     C|   Bb   Bb/A|       Gm|
  F   F/A|   Bb      C|        C|
  F     C|   Bb   Bb/A|  Gm   Dm/F|   C|
[Repeat verse 1]
FWhen the stCone is grBbown too Bb/Acold to knGmeel
In crFystal wF/Aaters IBb'll be bCound
FCold as stCone, wBbeary Bb/Ato the sGmounds uDmpon the whCeel [note: only 3 beats on the chord on "wheel"!]
[Chorus]
FNow be thCankful fBbor good Bb/Athings beGmlow
FNow be tF/Ahankful Bbto your mCaker
FFor the rCose, the rBbed rose bBb/Alooms for
Gmall Dmto    kCnow

All chords in this song (9)

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Now Be Thankful

by Richard Thompson

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Bb/A

F/A

Dm/F

C/E

As played (well, basically) by Richard Thompson on the 1994 live album "Two letter words".

Pay attention to the structure, it's unusual: the verse is 3 + 2 + 3 +3/4 bars,

and the refrain is 3 + 3 + 4 bars. Not the standard 8-bar thing.

The base Gm-Dm/F-C/E at the end of the chorus is optional, but nice (not the last time though).

[Verse 1]

F C Bb Bb/A Gm

When the stone is grown too cold to kneel

F F/A Bb C

In crystal waters I'll be bound

F C Bb Bb/A Gm Dm C

Cold as stone, weary to the sounds upon the wheel [note: only 3 beats on the chord on "wheel"!]

[Chorus]

F C Bb Bb/A Gm

Now be thankful for good things below

F F/A Bb C

Now be thankful to your maker

F C Bb Bb/A

For the rose, the red rose blooms for

Gm Dm/F C/E

all to know

[Instrumental]

Gm Dm/F C/E Dm C Dm C/E

| | | |

[Verse 2]

F C Bb Bb/A Gm

When the fire is grown too fierce to breathe

F F/A Bb C

In burning irons I'll be bound

F C Bb Bb/A Gm Dm C

Fierce as fire weary to the sounds upon the wheel [note: only 3 beats on the chord on "wheel"!]

[Chorus]

F C Bb Bb/A Gm

Now be thankful for good things below

F F/A Bb C

Now be thankful to your maker

F C Bb Bb/A

For the rose, the red rose blooms for

Gm Dm/F C/E

all to know

[Instrumental]

Gm Dm/F C/E Dm C Dm C/E

| | | |

[Mandolin solo over verse]

F C Bb Bb/A Gm

| | |

F F/A Bb C

| |

F C | Bb Bb/A | Gm Dm | C [note: only 3 beats on this chord!] |

[Guitar solo over chorus]

F C Bb Bb/A Gm

| | |

F F/A Bb C C

| | |

F C Bb Bb/A Gm Dm/F C

| | | |

[Repeat verse 1]

F C Bb Bb/A Gm

When the stone is grown too cold to kneel

F F/A Bb C

In crystal waters I'll be bound

F C Bb Bb/A Gm Dm C

Cold as stone, weary to the sounds upon the wheel [note: only 3 beats on the chord on "wheel"!]

[Chorus]

F C Bb Bb/A Gm

Now be thankful for good things below

F F/A Bb C

Now be thankful to your maker

F C Bb Bb/A

For the rose, the red rose blooms for

Gm Dm C

all to know

About Now Be Thankful Chords by Richard Thompson

Learn how to play Now Be Thankful by Richard Thompson with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Now Be Thankful chords”, “Now Be Thankful guitar chords”, or “Richard Thompson Now Be Thankful 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 Now Be Thankful chords and for experienced players who want accurate Now Be Thankful lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Gm, Dm/F, C/E, F, C, Bb.

FAQ — Now Be Thankful by Richard Thompson

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What key is "Now Be Thankful" in?

The chords for "Now Be Thankful" show the original chord names (including Gm, Dm/F, C/E, F, C, Bb). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.