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Black Letters

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Aminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
Am F  C Dm
Am F  C Dm
Dm
[Verse 1]
He was just 1C8
When he Fsaw her smiling Gface
As she Amdanced along the Cstreets of FMontreal
And in C1916
She gave her Fhand for him to Ghold
In the cAmhurch beneath the aCncient city Dmwalls
[Pre-Chorus]
But Emnow he lies awake, staring in up into the dark
At the eAmyes of a million tiny Fgods
And when the Fsun comes uCp, they'll gDmo ovAmer the top, for Ggood
[Chorus]
So he writes her black AmletAm/CtersAm/G  Am  Am/C  Am/G  
By the Amtime you read these words
There will Dbe no more Amwar, for Fme
There will Gbe, only AmpeaFceC  Dm  
Am F  C Dm
[Verse 2]
He was her only Cson
And she Frocked him back and Gforth
In the Amcradle of the Ctall Alberta Fgrain
And he was Cscarce a man
When he Fanswered the Gcall
Left her cAmrying as he sCtepped onto the Dmtrain
[Pre-Chorus]
And sEmhe was all alone, staring at the moon
As his Ambody hit the sand beneath CFalais
And when the Fsun cCame up, his Dmwords were on the Amsteps for Gher
[Chorus]
And she read his black AmletAm/CtersAm/G  Am  Am/C  Am/G  
By the Amtime you read these Cwords
There will Dbe no more wAmar, for mFe
There wGill be, only pAmeacAm/CeAm/G  Am  Am/C  Am/G  
BAmlacAm/Ck letAm/GtersD  Am  
[Solo]
 F   G   C   Am   C   Dm   G/  G   F   G   C   F   C   Dm   G  G  
[Verse 3]
Well the dCay will come
We lFook into the Geyes
Of a Amfate that is much grCeater than us alFl
And by the setCting sun
We'll write the wFords we'd wish to eGcho
In the heAmarts of our lCoved ones should we faDmll
[Pre-Chorus]
Those tEmhin dark lines, so delicate and fine
Like a rAmoad that could show the way Fback home
But at the endFing of the Cday, our mDmemories will fAmade for goGod
[Chorus]
Except for our black letAmterAm/CsAm/G  Am  Am/C  Am/G  
By the tAmime you read these wCords
There will Dbe no more Amwar, for mFe
There will Gbe, only pAmeacAm/CeAm/G  Am  Am/C  Am/G  
Black lAmettAm/CersAm/G  D  Am  
Am
[Outro]
C F G Am C F

All chords in this song (9)

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Black Letters

by The Dreadnoughts

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Am/C

Am/G

[Intro]

Am F C Dm

[Verse 1]

He was just 18

F G

When he saw her smiling face

Am C F

As she danced along the streets of Montreal

And in 1916

F G

She gave her hand for him to hold

Am C Dm

In the church beneath the ancient city walls

[Pre-Chorus]

But now he lies awake, staring in up into the dark

Am F

At the eyes of a million tiny gods

F C Dm Am G

And when the sun comes up, they'll go over the top, for good

[Chorus]

Am Am/C Am/G Am Am/C Am/G

So he writes her black letters

By the time you read these words

D Am F

There will be no more war, for me

G Am F C Dm

There will be, only peace

Am F C Dm

[Verse 2]

He was her only son

F G

And she rocked him back and forth

Am C F

In the cradle of the tall Alberta grain

And he was scarce a man

F G

When he answered the call

Am C Dm

Left her crying as he stepped onto the train

[Pre-Chorus]

And she was all alone, staring at the moon

Am F

As his body hit the sand beneath Calais

F C Dm Am G

And when the sun came up, his words were on the steps for her

[Chorus]

Am Am/C Am/G Am Am/C Am/G

And she read his black letters

Am C

By the time you read these words

D Am F

There will be no more war, for me

G Am Am/C Am/G Am Am/C Am/G

There will be, only peace

Am Am/C Am/G D Am

Black letters

[Solo]

F G C Am C Dm G G F G C F C Dm G G

[Verse 3]

Well the day will come

F G

We look into the eyes

Am C F

Of a fate that is much greater than us all

And by the setting sun

F G

We'll write the words we'd wish to echo

Am C Dm

In the hearts of our loved ones should we fall

[Pre-Chorus]

Those thin dark lines, so delicate and fine

Am F

Like a road that could show the way back home

F C Dm Am G

But at the ending of the day, our memories will fade for good

[Chorus]

Am Am/C Am/G Am Am/C Am/G

Except for our black letters

Am C

By the time you read these words

D Am F

There will be no more war, for me

G Am Am/C Am/G Am Am/C Am/G

There will be, only peace

Am Am/C Am/G D Am

Black letters

[Outro]

C F G Am C F

About Black Letters Chords by The Dreadnoughts

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

FAQ — Black Letters by The Dreadnoughts

How do I play "Black Letters" by The Dreadnoughts on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Black Letters" by The Dreadnoughts free?

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Can I transpose "Black Letters" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Black Letters"?

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

Is "Black Letters" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Black Letters" by The Dreadnoughts with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Dreadnoughts below.

What key is "Black Letters" in?

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