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Passing Through

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Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Verse 1]
CI saw GAdam leave the Cgarden
With an Fapple in his Chand
CI said, "EmNow you're Cout
CWhat are you gonna Dmdo?
Plant my Gcrops and Cpray for Emrain
Maybe Dmraise a little CCain
CI'm an Emorphan Amand I'm Gonly passing Cthrough."
[Refrain]
Passing tChrough,    Gpassing tChrough
Sometimes Chappy, sometimes Emblue
EmGlad that DmI ran into Cyou;
Tell the Gpeople Amthat you Gsaw me passing Cthrough
[Verse 2]
CI saw GJesus on the Ccross
On that Fhill called CalvaCry
"CDo you Emhate manCkind for what they've done to Dmyou?"
He said, "GTalk of love, Cnot hateEm  
Things to Dmdo, it's getting Clate
CI've so Emlittle time Amand I'Gm just passing Cthrough."
[Refrain]
Passing tChrough,    Gpassing tChrough
Sometimes Chappy, sometimes Emblue
EmGlad that DmI ran into Cyou;
Tell the Gpeople Amthat you Gsaw me passing Cthrough
[Verse 3]
CI shivered Gwith George CWashington
One Fnight at Valley CForge
"CWhy Emdo the soldCiers freeze here like they Dmdo?"
He said, "GMen will Csuffer, Emfight
Even Dmdie for what is Cright
CEven Emthough they Amknow they're Gonly passing Cthrough."
[Refrain]
Passing tChrough,    Gpassing tChrough
Sometimes Chappy, sometimes Emblue
EmGlad that DmI ran into Cyou;
Tell the Gpeople Amthat you Gsaw me passing Cthrough
[Verse 4]
CI was at GFranklin Roosevelt's Cside
Just a Fwhile before he Cdied
CHe said, "EmOne world must Ccome out of World War DmTwo
Yankee, GRussian, Cwhite or Emtan
Lord, a Dmman is just a Cman
CWe're all Embrothers Amand we're Gonly passing Cthrough."
Passing tChrough,    Gpassing tChrough
Sometimes Chappy, sometimes Emblue
EmGlad that DmI ran into Cyou;
Tell the Gpeople Amthat you Gsaw me passing Cthrough

All chords in this song (6)

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Passing Through

by Pete Seeger

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

C G C

I saw Adam leave the garden

F C

With an apple in his hand

C Em C

I said, "Now you're out

C Dm

What are you gonna do?

G C Em

Plant my crops and pray for rain

Dm C

Maybe raise a little Cain

C Em Am G C

I'm an orphan and I'm only passing through."

[Refrain]

C G C

Passing through, passing through

C Em

Sometimes happy, sometimes blue

Em Dm C

Glad that I ran into you;

G Am G C

Tell the people that you saw me passing through

[Verse 2]

C G C

I saw Jesus on the cross

F C

On that hill called Calvary

C Em C Dm

"Do you hate mankind for what they've done to you?"

G C Em

He said, "Talk of love, not hate

Dm C

Things to do, it's getting late

C Em Am G C

I've so little time and I'm just passing through."

[Refrain]

C G C

Passing through, passing through

C Em

Sometimes happy, sometimes blue

Em Dm C

Glad that I ran into you;

G Am G C

Tell the people that you saw me passing through

[Verse 3]

C G C

I shivered with George Washington

F C

One night at Valley Forge

C Em C Dm

"Why do the soldiers freeze here like they do?"

G C Em

He said, "Men will suffer, fight

Dm C

Even die for what is right

C Em Am G C

Even though they know they're only passing through."

[Refrain]

C G C

Passing through, passing through

C Em

Sometimes happy, sometimes blue

Em Dm C

Glad that I ran into you;

G Am G C

Tell the people that you saw me passing through

[Verse 4]

C G C

I was at Franklin Roosevelt's side

F C

Just a while before he died

C Em C Dm

He said, "One world must come out of World War Two

G C Em

Yankee, Russian, white or tan

Dm C

Lord, a man is just a man

C Em Am G C

We're all brothers and we're only passing through."

C G C

Passing through, passing through

C Em

Sometimes happy, sometimes blue

Em Dm C

Glad that I ran into you;

G Am G C

Tell the people that you saw me passing through

About Passing Through Chords by Pete Seeger

Learn how to play Passing Through by Pete Seeger with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Passing Through chords”, “Passing Through guitar chords”, or “Pete Seeger Passing Through 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 Passing Through chords and for experienced players who want accurate Passing Through lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, F, Em, Dm, Am.

FAQ — Passing Through by Pete Seeger

How do I play "Passing Through" by Pete Seeger on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Passing Through" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Passing Through"?

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

Is "Passing Through" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Passing Through" in?

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