Acadian Driftwood
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Step 1 / 20Position: 2
1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO open
"Acadian Driftwood" (J.R. Robertson)
From "Northern Lights - Southern Cross" (1975)
14/08/23: While at least one guitar on the studio recording
may be in Open D, I now suspect at least one is in standard
but uses E major shapes with a lot of ringing, open strings.
The song I associate most with those shapes is "All Things
Must Pass" but other random examples are Beck's "Golden Age"
and The Allmans' "Melissa".
Shapes:
EADGBE
Bsus4: X24400
C#m: 064400
F#m/E: 044200
G#m/E: 066400
See below for Open D version.
----------------------------------------------------------
[Intro]
E|------------|-------------0-|
B|------------|-------------0-|
G|-----------2|-------------4-|
D|-2--2--2h4--|-2h4-2-------2-|
A|-2h4--------|-------------2-|
E|-0----------|-------2b30--0-|
[Verse]
TEhe war was over and the sBsus4pirit was broken,
C#mThe hills were Dsus2smokin' as the F#m/Emen withdrewBsus4.
EWe stood on the cliffs, F#m/EOh, and watched the G#m/Eships,
Asus2Slowly sinking to their rF#m/Eendezvous.
[Verse]
TEhey signed a treaty and our Bsus4homes were taken,
LC#moved ones forsDsus2aken, they didn't gF#m/Eive a damnBsus4.
TEryin' to raise a family, F#m/Eend up the G#m/Eenemy,
Asus2Over what went down on the Plains of AF#m/Ebraham.
[Chorus]
AcEadian dAsus2riftwood, gypsy Bsus4tailwind,
They call my Asus2home the land of F#m/Esnow.
CanEadian Asus2cold front, movin' Bsus4in,
What a way to Asus2ride, oh what a Bsus4way to Ego.
[Verse]
TEhen some returned to the MBsus4otherland,
C#mThe High CommDsus2and had them F#m/Ecast awayBsus4.
AEnd some stayed on to fF#m/Einish what they G#m/Estarted,
Asus2They never parted, they're just F#m/Ebuilt that way.
[Verse]
We had kEin livin' Bsus4south of the border,
C#mThey're a little Dsus2older and they've F#m/Ebeen aroundBsus4.
EThey wrote a letter "F#m/Elife is a G#m/Ewhole lot better
So Asus2pull up your stakes, children and F#m/Ecome on down".
[Chorus]
AcEadian dAsus2riftwood, gypsy Bsus4tailwind,
They call my Asus2home the land of F#m/Esnow.
CanEadian Asus2cold front, movin' Bsus4in,
What a way to Asus2ride, oh what a Bsus4way to Ego.
[Verse]
FEifteen under zero when the dBsus4ay became a threat,
C#mMy clothes were Dsus2wet and I was dF#m/Erenched to the boneBsus4.
BEeen out ice fishing, mhmm, F#m/Etoo much repetG#m/Eition,
MAsus2ake a man wanna leave the only F#m/Ehome he's known.
[Verse]
SEailing out of the gulf headin' for SBsus4aint Pierre,
NC#mothin' to decDsus2lare, all we F#m/Ehad was goneBsus4.
BEroke down along the coast, oF#m/Eh, but what hurt the G#m/Emost
WAsus2hen the people there said "You'd better keep F#m/Emovin' on"
[Chorus]
AcEadian dAsus2riftwood, gypsy Bsus4tailwind,
They call my Asus2home the land of F#m/Esnow.
CanEadian Asus2cold front, movin' Bsus4in,
What a way to Asus2ride, oh what a Bsus4way to Ego.
[Verse]
EEverlasting summer filled with Bsus4ill content,
C#mThis governDsus2ment had us wF#m/Ealkin' in chainsBsus4.
TEhis isn't my turf, F#m/Ethis ain't my G#m/Eseason,
CAsus2an't think of one good reason F#m/Eto remain.
[Verse]
EWe worked in the sugar fields up from Bsus4New Orleans,
C#mIt was ever Dsus2green up unF#m/Etil the floods.Bsus4
EYou could call it an omen, F#m/Epoints ya where you're G#m/Egoin',
Asus2Set my compass North, I got F#m/Ewinter in my blood.
[Chorus]
AcEadian dAsus2riftwood, gypsy Bsus4tailwind,
They call my Asus2home the land of F#m/Esnow.
CanEadian Asus2cold front, movin' Bsus4in,
What a way to Asus2ride, oh what a Bsus4way to Ego.
[Outro]
(en francais to fade)
SEais tu, Esus4A-ca-di-Ee j'ai le F#m/Emal du pays,
TEa neige, Esus4Acadi-Ee, fait des F#m/Elarmes au solei.
EJ'arrive Esus4Acadi-Ee, teedle F#m/Eum, teedle um, teedle ooh...
------------------------------------------------------
Open D version (capo 3)
shapes for DADF#AD
D: 000000 and 000354
Asus4: 001240 and 000575
Em/D: 002120 and 202120
Bm: 020020
Csus2: x32130
Gsus2: 005500
F#m: 004340
[Intro]
E|------------------0-|
B|------------------0-|
G|------------------0-|
D|----1-------------0-|
A|-0h20-0h20--------0-|
E|-0-----------2b30-0-|
[Verse]
TDhe war was over and the sAsus4pirit was broken,
BmThe hills were Csus2smokin' as the Em/Dmen withAsus4drew.
DWe stood on the cliffs, Em/DOh, and watched the sF#mhips,
Gsus2Slowly sinking to their reEm/Dndezvous.
[Verse]
TDhey signed a treaty and our Asus4homes were taken,
LBmoved ones forsCsus2aken, they didn't Em/Dgive a Asus4damn.
TDryin' to raise a family, Em/Dend up the eF#mnemy,
OGsus2ver what went down on the Plains of AEm/Dbraham.
[Chorus]
AcDadian dGsus2riftwood, gypsy tAsus4ailwind,
They call my Gsus2home the land of Em/Dsnow.
CanDadian Gsus2cold front, movin' Asus4in,
What a way to Gsus2ride, oh what a Asus4way to Dgo.
[Verse]
TDhen some returned to the MAsus4otherland,
BmThe High ComCsus2mand had them Em/Dcast aAsus4way.
ADnd some stayed on to fEm/Dinish what they stF#marted,
Gsus2They never parted, they're just bEm/Duilt that way.
[Verse]
We had kDin livin' sAsus4outh of the border,
BmThey're a little Csus2older and they've Em/Dbeen aAsus4round.
DThey wrote a letter "lEm/Dife is a wF#mhole lot better
So Gsus2pull up your stakes, children and cEm/Dome on down".
[Chorus]
AcDadian dGsus2riftwood, gypsy tAsus4ailwind,
They call my Gsus2home the land of Em/Dsnow.
CanDadian Gsus2cold front, movin' Asus4in,
What a way to Gsus2ride, oh what a Asus4way to Dgo.
[Verse]
FDifteen under zero when the dAsus4ay became a threat,
BmMy clothes were Csus2wet and I was dEm/Drenched to the bonAsus4e.
BDeen out ice fishing, mhmm, Em/Dtoo much repetiF#mtion,
MGsus2ake a man wanna leave the only hEm/Dome he's known.
[Verse]
SDailing out of the gulf headin' for SAsus4aint Pierre,
NBmothin' to decCsus2lare, all we Em/Dhad was goneAsus4.
BDroke down along the coast, Em/Doh, but what hurt tF#mhe most
WGsus2hen the people there said "You'd better keep mEm/Dovin' on"
[Chorus]
AcDadian dGsus2riftwood, gypsy tAsus4ailwind,
They call my Gsus2home the land of Em/Dsnow.
CanDadian Gsus2cold front, movin' Asus4in,
What a way to Gsus2ride, oh what a Asus4way to Dgo.
[Verse]
EDverlasting summer filled with Asus4ill content,
BmThis governCsus2ment had us wEm/Dalkin' in chainAsus4s.
TDhis isn't my turf, Em/Dthis ain't my sF#meason,
CGsus2an't think of one good reason to rEm/Demain.
[Verse]
DWe worked in the sugar fields up from Asus4New Orleans,
BmIt was ever Csus2green up untEm/Dil the floods.Asus4
DYou could call it an omen, Em/Dpoints ya where you're F#mgoin',
Gsus2Set my compass North, I got wEm/Dinter in my blood.
[Chorus]
AcDadian dGsus2riftwood, gypsy tAsus4ailwind,
They call my Gsus2home the land of Em/Dsnow.
CanDadian Gsus2cold front, movin' Asus4in,
What a way to Gsus2ride, oh what a Asus4way to Dgo.
[Outro]
en francais to fade
DSais tu, Dsus4A-ca-di-De j'ai le Em/Dmal du pays,
DTa neige, Dsus4Acadi-De, fait des lEm/Darmes au solei.
DJ'arrive Dsus4Acadi-De, teedle Em/Dum, teedle um, teedle ooh...
All chords in this song (16)
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Acadian Driftwood
by The Band
Chords in this song · guitar
E
Bsus4
C#m
Dsus2
F#m/E
G#m/E
Asus2
Esus4
D
Asus4
Bm
Csus2
Em/D
F#m
Gsus2
Dsus4
"Acadian Driftwood" (J.R. Robertson)
From "Northern Lights - Southern Cross" (1975)
14/08/23: While at least one guitar on the studio recording
may be in Open D, I now suspect at least one is in standard
but uses E major shapes with a lot of ringing, open strings.
The song I associate most with those shapes is "All Things
Must Pass" but other random examples are Beck's "Golden Age"
and The Allmans' "Melissa".
Shapes:
EADGBE
Bsus4: X24400
C#m: 064400
F#m/E: 044200
G#m/E: 066400
See below for Open D version.
----------------------------------------------------------
[Intro]
E|------------|-------------0-|
B|------------|-------------0-|
G|-----------2|-------------4-|
D|-2--2--2h4--|-2h4-2-------2-|
A|-2h4--------|-------------2-|
E|-0----------|-------2b30--0-|
[Verse]
E Bsus4
The war was over and the spirit was broken,
C#m Dsus2 F#m/E Bsus4
The hills were smokin' as the men withdrew.
E F#m/E G#m/E
We stood on the cliffs, Oh, and watched the ships,
Asus2 F#m/E
Slowly sinking to their rendezvous.
[Verse]
E Bsus4
They signed a treaty and our homes were taken,
C#m Dsus2 F#m/E Bsus4
Loved ones forsaken, they didn't give a damn.
E F#m/E G#m/E
Tryin' to raise a family, end up the enemy,
Asus2 F#m/E
Over what went down on the Plains of Abraham.
[Chorus]
E Asus2 Bsus4
Acadian driftwood, gypsy tailwind,
Asus2 F#m/E
They call my home the land of snow.
E Asus2 Bsus4
Canadian cold front, movin' in,
Asus2 Bsus4 E
What a way to ride, oh what a way to go.
[Verse]
E Bsus4
Then some returned to the Motherland,
C#m Dsus2 F#m/E Bsus4
The High Command had them cast away.
E F#m/E G#m/E
And some stayed on to finish what they started,
Asus2 F#m/E
They never parted, they're just built that way.
[Verse]
E Bsus4
We had kin livin' south of the border,
C#m Dsus2 F#m/E Bsus4
They're a little older and they've been around.
E F#m/E G#m/E
They wrote a letter "life is a whole lot better
Asus2 F#m/E
So pull up your stakes, children and come on down".
[Chorus]
E Asus2 Bsus4
Acadian driftwood, gypsy tailwind,
Asus2 F#m/E
They call my home the land of snow.
E Asus2 Bsus4
Canadian cold front, movin' in,
Asus2 Bsus4 E
What a way to ride, oh what a way to go.
[Verse]
E Bsus4
Fifteen under zero when the day became a threat,
C#m Dsus2 F#m/E Bsus4
My clothes were wet and I was drenched to the bone.
E F#m/E G#m/E
Been out ice fishing, mhmm, too much repetition,
Asus2 F#m/E
Make a man wanna leave the only home he's known.
[Verse]
E Bsus4
Sailing out of the gulf headin' for Saint Pierre,
C#m Dsus2 F#m/E Bsus4
Nothin' to declare, all we had was gone.
E F#m/E G#m/E
Broke down along the coast, oh, but what hurt the most
Asus2 F#m/E
When the people there said "You'd better keep movin' on"
[Chorus]
E Asus2 Bsus4
Acadian driftwood, gypsy tailwind,
Asus2 F#m/E
They call my home the land of snow.
E Asus2 Bsus4
Canadian cold front, movin' in,
Asus2 Bsus4 E
What a way to ride, oh what a way to go.
[Verse]
E Bsus4
Everlasting summer filled with ill content,
C#m Dsus2 F#m/E Bsus4
This government had us walkin' in chains.
E F#m/E G#m/E
This isn't my turf, this ain't my season,
Asus2 F#m/E
Can't think of one good reason to remain.
[Verse]
E Bsus4
We worked in the sugar fields up from New Orleans,
C#m Dsus2 F#m/E Bsus4
It was ever green up until the floods.
E F#m/E G#m/E
You could call it an omen, points ya where you're goin',
Asus2 F#m/E
Set my compass North, I got winter in my blood.
[Chorus]
E Asus2 Bsus4
Acadian driftwood, gypsy tailwind,
Asus2 F#m/E
They call my home the land of snow.
E Asus2 Bsus4
Canadian cold front, movin' in,
Asus2 Bsus4 E
What a way to ride, oh what a way to go.
[Outro]
(en francais to fade)
E Esus4 E F#m/E
Sais tu, A-ca-di-e j'ai le mal du pays,
E Esus4 E F#m/E
Ta neige, Acadi-e, fait des larmes au solei.
E Esus4 E F#m/E
J'arrive Acadi-e, teedle um, teedle um, teedle ooh...
------------------------------------------------------
Open D version (capo 3)
shapes for DADF#AD
D: 000000 and 000354
Asus4: 001240 and 000575
Em/D: 002120 and 202120
Bm: 020020
Csus2: x32130
Gsus2: 005500
F#m: 004340
[Intro]
E|------------------0-|
B|------------------0-|
G|------------------0-|
D|----1-------------0-|
A|-0h20-0h20--------0-|
E|-0-----------2b30-0-|
[Verse]
D Asus4
The war was over and the spirit was broken,
Bm Csus2 Em/D Asus4
The hills were smokin' as the men withdrew.
D Em/D F#m
We stood on the cliffs, Oh, and watched the ships,
Gsus2 Em/D
Slowly sinking to their rendezvous.
[Verse]
D Asus4
They signed a treaty and our homes were taken,
Bm Csus2 Em/D Asus4
Loved ones forsaken, they didn't give a damn.
D Em/D F#m
Tryin' to raise a family, end up the enemy,
Gsus2 Em/D
Over what went down on the Plains of Abraham.
[Chorus]
D Gsus2 Asus4
Acadian driftwood, gypsy tailwind,
Gsus2 Em/D
They call my home the land of snow.
D Gsus2 Asus4
Canadian cold front, movin' in,
Gsus2 Asus4 D
What a way to ride, oh what a way to go.
[Verse]
D Asus4
Then some returned to the Motherland,
Bm Csus2 Em/D Asus4
The High Command had them cast away.
D Em/D F#m
And some stayed on to finish what they started,
Gsus2 Em/D
They never parted, they're just built that way.
[Verse]
D Asus4
We had kin livin' south of the border,
Bm Csus2 Em/D Asus4
They're a little older and they've been around.
D Em/D F#m
They wrote a letter "life is a whole lot better
Gsus2 Em/D
So pull up your stakes, children and come on down".
[Chorus]
D Gsus2 Asus4
Acadian driftwood, gypsy tailwind,
Gsus2 Em/D
They call my home the land of snow.
D Gsus2 Asus4
Canadian cold front, movin' in,
Gsus2 Asus4 D
What a way to ride, oh what a way to go.
[Verse]
D Asus4
Fifteen under zero when the day became a threat,
Bm Csus2 Em/D Asus4
My clothes were wet and I was drenched to the bone.
D Em/D F#m
Been out ice fishing, mhmm, too much repetition,
Gsus2 Em/D
Make a man wanna leave the only home he's known.
[Verse]
D Asus4
Sailing out of the gulf headin' for Saint Pierre,
Bm Csus2 Em/D Asus4
Nothin' to declare, all we had was gone.
D Em/D F#m
Broke down along the coast, oh, but what hurt the most
Gsus2 Em/D
When the people there said "You'd better keep movin' on"
[Chorus]
D Gsus2 Asus4
Acadian driftwood, gypsy tailwind,
Gsus2 Em/D
They call my home the land of snow.
D Gsus2 Asus4
Canadian cold front, movin' in,
Gsus2 Asus4 D
What a way to ride, oh what a way to go.
[Verse]
D Asus4
Everlasting summer filled with ill content,
Bm Csus2 Em/D Asus4
This government had us walkin' in chains.
D Em/D F#m
This isn't my turf, this ain't my season,
Gsus2 Em/D
Can't think of one good reason to remain.
[Verse]
D Asus4
We worked in the sugar fields up from New Orleans,
Bm Csus2 Em/D Asus4
It was ever green up until the floods.
D Em/D F#m
You could call it an omen, points ya where you're goin',
Gsus2 Em/D
Set my compass North, I got winter in my blood.
[Chorus]
D Gsus2 Asus4
Acadian driftwood, gypsy tailwind,
Gsus2 Em/D
They call my home the land of snow.
D Gsus2 Asus4
Canadian cold front, movin' in,
Gsus2 Asus4 D
What a way to ride, oh what a way to go.
[Outro]
en francais to fade
D Dsus4 D Em/D
Sais tu, A-ca-di-e j'ai le mal du pays,
D Dsus4 D Em/D
Ta neige, Acadi-e, fait des larmes au solei.
D Dsus4 D Em/D
J'arrive Acadi-e, teedle um, teedle um, teedle ooh...
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About Acadian Driftwood Chords by The Band
Learn how to play Acadian Driftwood by The Band with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Acadian Driftwood chords”, “Acadian Driftwood guitar chords”, or “The Band Acadian Driftwood 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 Acadian Driftwood chords and for experienced players who want accurate Acadian Driftwood lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, E, Bsus4, C#m, F#m/E, G#m/E.
FAQ — Acadian Driftwood by The Band
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