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I Shall Be Released

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Cmajor

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I Shall Be Released
as sung by Joan Baez (written by Bob Dylan)
Capo 2nd fret to play in the recording's key of D
[Verse 1]
CThey say everything can be reDmplaced
EmThey say every Dmdistance is not Cnear
CYet I remember every Dmface
EmOf every Dmman who put me Chere.
[Chorus]
CI see my light come Dmshining
EmFrom the Dmwest unto the Ceast.
CAny day now,
DmAny day now,
EmI   Dmshall be reCleased
[Verse 2]
CThey say every man needs proDmtection.
EmThey say that Dmevery man must Cfall.
CYet I swear I see my reDmflection,
EmSomewhere so Dmhigh above this Cwall.
[Chorus]
CI see my light come Dmshining
EmFrom the Dmwest unto the Ceast.
CAny day now,
DmAny day now,
EmI   Dmshall be reCleased
[Verse 3]
CWell yonder stands a man in this Dmlonely crowd,
EmA man who Dmswears he not to Cblame.
CYet all day long I hear him Dmshouting so loud,
EmHe's crying Dmout that he was Cframed.
[Chorus]
CI see my light come Dmshining
EmFrom the Dmwest unto the Ceast.
CAny day now,
DmAny day now,
EmI   Dmshall be reCleased

All chords in this song (3)

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I Shall Be Released

by Joan Baez

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

I Shall Be Released

as sung by Joan Baez (written by Bob Dylan)

Capo 2nd fret to play in the recording's key of D

[Verse 1]

C Dm

They say everything can be replaced

Em Dm C

They say every distance is not near

C Dm

Yet I remember every face

Em Dm C

Of every man who put me here.

[Chorus]

C Dm

I see my light come shining

Em Dm C

From the west unto the east.

Any day now,

Em Dm C

I shall be released

[Verse 2]

C Dm

They say every man needs protection.

Em Dm C

They say that every man must fall.

C Dm

Yet I swear I see my reflection,

Em Dm C

Somewhere so high above this wall.

[Chorus]

C Dm

I see my light come shining

Em Dm C

From the west unto the east.

Any day now,

Em Dm C

I shall be released

[Verse 3]

C Dm

Well yonder stands a man in this lonely crowd,

Em Dm C

A man who swears he not to blame.

C Dm

Yet all day long I hear him shouting so loud,

Em Dm C

He's crying out that he was framed.

[Chorus]

C Dm

I see my light come shining

Em Dm C

From the west unto the east.

Any day now,

Em Dm C

I shall be released

About I Shall Be Released Chords by Joan Baez

Learn how to play I Shall Be Released by Joan Baez with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “I Shall Be Released chords”, “I Shall Be Released guitar chords”, or “Joan Baez I Shall Be Released 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 I Shall Be Released chords and for experienced players who want accurate I Shall Be Released lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, C, Dm, Em, A.

FAQ — I Shall Be Released by Joan Baez

How do I play "I Shall Be Released" by Joan Baez on guitar?

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Can I transpose "I Shall Be Released" to a different key?

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Can I see chord diagrams for "I Shall Be Released"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "I Shall Be Released" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "I Shall Be Released" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "I Shall Be Released" by Joan Baez with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Joan Baez below.

What key is "I Shall Be Released" in?

The chords for "I Shall Be Released" show the original chord names (including D, C, Dm, Em, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.