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Close To The Wind

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
E    C#m  B  C#m  B  E
[Verse]
N.C.        E       C#m          B  A  
Fare-well to you, my faithful Nancy
And a F#mthousand Btimes, aEdieu
N.C.             E             C#m          B  A  
For the constable comes up from Brackley Market
And a F#mhundred Bvolunteers Etoo
[Verse]
No Amore will we hide in the Eforest
For F#m7fear they would run us to Bground
But the Ewild C#msea, we Bsailed uApon it
F#mToo Bclose to the Ewind
[Instrumental]
E    C#m  B  F#m  B  E
[Verse]
For twenty C#myears we have Broved the Ahighways
F#mNortBhamptonEshire
Daventry C#mdown to the Bsouthern Abyways
We F#mrobbed both the Brich and the Epoor
[Verse]
For Aofttimes our families were Estarving
And the F#m7highway it kept them aBlive
And the Ewild C#msea, we Bsailed uApon it
F#mToo Bclose to the Ewind
[Instrumental]
E    C#m  B  F#m  B  E
[Verse]
Tonight I C#mlie in a Bdarkened Adungeon
ConF#mdemned on the Bgallows to Edie
While the man who C#mgave us aBway is Aonly
BoF#mund for AusBtraliEa
[Verse]
No Aman could be found to deEfend us
And F#m7naught but abuse came our Bway
But the Ewild C#msea, we Bsailed uApon it
F#mToo Bclose to the Ewind
[Instrumental]
E    C#m  B  F#m  B  E
[Verse]
And the clouds they C#mrise over BNorthampton Amarket
And the F#mcrowds pour Binto the Etown
And the people will C#mthrong in these Bstreets until Asunset
When the F#mhangman Bcuts us Edown
[Verse]
APity the children of ECulworth
When their F#m7fathers are taken aBway
And the Ewild C#msea, they Bsailed uApon it
F#mToo Bclose to the Ewind
The Ewild C#msea, we Bsailed uApon itF#m  
Too Bclose to the Ewind
[Outro]
E    C#m  B  F#m  B  E

All chords in this song (6)

Open

O221OO

Major chord - Happy, bright sound

✕ Mute Open Press

Skill · find home

E major

This chord is home. When a line ends, land here.

Close To The Wind

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Close To The Wind

by Fairport Convention

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

F#m

F#m7

[Intro]

E C#m B C#m B E

[Verse]

E C#m B A

N.C.

Fare-well to you, my faithful Nancy

F#m B E

And a thousand times, adieu

E C#m B A

N.C.

For the constable comes up from Brackley Market

F#m B E

And a hundred volunteers too

[Verse]

A E

No more will we hide in the forest

F#m7 B

For fear they would run us to ground

E C#m B A

But the wild sea, we sailed upon it

F#m B E

Too close to the wind

[Instrumental]

E C#m B F#m B E

[Verse]

C#m B A

For twenty years we have roved the highways

F#m B E

Northamptonshire

C#m B A

Daventry down to the southern byways

F#m B E

We robbed both the rich and the poor

[Verse]

A E

For ofttimes our families were starving

F#m7 B

And the highway it kept them alive

E C#m B A

And the wild sea, we sailed upon it

F#m B E

Too close to the wind

[Instrumental]

E C#m B F#m B E

[Verse]

C#m B A

Tonight I lie in a darkened dungeon

F#m B E

Condemned on the gallows to die

C#m B A

While the man who gave us away is only

F#m B E

Bound for Australia

[Verse]

A E

No man could be found to defend us

F#m7 B

And naught but abuse came our way

E C#m B A

But the wild sea, we sailed upon it

F#m B E

Too close to the wind

[Instrumental]

E C#m B F#m B E

[Verse]

C#m B A

And the clouds they rise over Northampton market

F#m B E

And the crowds pour into the town

C#m B A

And the people will throng in these streets until sunset

F#m B E

When the hangman cuts us down

[Verse]

A E

Pity the children of Culworth

F#m7 B

When their fathers are taken away

E C#m B A

And the wild sea, they sailed upon it

F#m B E

Too close to the wind

E C#m B A F#m

The wild sea, we sailed upon it

B E

Too close to the wind

[Outro]

E C#m B F#m B E

About Close To The Wind Chords by Fairport Convention

Learn how to play Close To The Wind by Fairport Convention with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Close To The Wind chords”, “Close To The Wind guitar chords”, or “Fairport Convention Close To The Wind 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 Close To The Wind chords and for experienced players who want accurate Close To The Wind lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, C#m, B, C, A, F#m.

FAQ — Close To The Wind by Fairport Convention

How do I play "Close To The Wind" by Fairport Convention on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Close To The Wind" to a different key?

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Can I see chord diagrams for "Close To The Wind"?

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Is "Close To The Wind" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Close To The Wind" in?

The chords for "Close To The Wind" show the original chord names (including E, C#m, B, C, A, F#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.