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The Retreat

Chords

4.44 votes

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[Verse 1]
They Flaid beneath the C/Epine trees with their Bb/Dcaps over their Feyes
They were Bbdrunk with home and Fmama as they Gbrushed away the Cflies
In an Finstant before the sC/Eunrise they had gunBbned the rebels dowFn
As their Bbflags were torn at Fhalf mast in the Cruins of the Ftown
[Verse 2]
There were Fwhite sails on the C/Ewater for the Bb/Dcrippled on the Fbeach
There was a Bblack of ammuFnition so the Gcause was Cincomplete
When the Fbugle blew at C/Ebreakfast and they kBbnew their ships were iFn
BbSigns of grand Fassurance werCe carried on the wiFnd
[Chorus]
Take it Fhome,    C/Etake it Dmlow, F/Ctake responsiBbbiliFties
GmCame the message from the fCronBbtC  
For the Fcaptains,    C/Ecaptains Dmquarters    F/C  Bbmust retA7reat
Pack the Gm7compass, pack the Ctents, take the BbbunksF  
[Verse 3]
They just Fchalked it down in hC/Eistory but they Bbkept their unF/Ciforms
They put their Bbmedals on the Fsideboards and they Gwent back to their Cfarms
For it was Fjust a mere reC/Eminder that they Bbstood beside the Fbest
That BbGod had saved the Fchosen few and the Cdevil took the restF  
[Chorus]
Take it Fhome,    C/Etake it Dmlow, F/Ctake responsiBbbiliFties
GmCame the message from the frontC  Bb  C  
For the Fcaptains,    C/Ecaptains Dmquarters    F/C  Bbmust retA7reat
Pack the Gm7compass, pack the Ctents, take the BbbunksF  
[Verse 4]
On the Fplanes above the C/Erock face where the Bb/Dsculptured eagles Fswoop
There's a Bbhaunted yell for aFction among the Gspectres of his Ctroops
It was Fsilent on the C/Ecoastline as the Bbcrazy angels Fdanced
With the Bbsound of retreating fFootfall from his Cmilitary campF  
[Chorus]
Take it Fhome,    C/Etake it Dmlow, F/Ctake responsiBbbiliFties
GmCame the message from the frontC  Bb  C  
For the Fcaptains,    C/Ecaptains Dmquarters    F/C  Bbmust retA7reat
Pack the Gm7compass, pack the Ctents, take the BbbunksF  

All chords in this song (11)

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The Retreat

by Elton John

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C/E

Bb/D

F/C

Gm7

[Verse 1]

F C/E Bb/D F

They laid beneath the pine trees with their caps over their eyes

Bb F G C

They were drunk with home and mama as they brushed away the flies

F C/E Bb F

In an instant before the sunrise they had gunned the rebels down

Bb F C F

As their flags were torn at half mast in the ruins of the town

[Verse 2]

F C/E Bb/D F

There were white sails on the water for the crippled on the beach

Bb F G C

There was a lack of ammunition so the cause was incomplete

F C/E Bb F

When the bugle blew at breakfast and they knew their ships were in

Bb F C F

Signs of grand assurance were carried on the wind

[Chorus]

F C/E Dm F/C Bb F

Take it home, take it low, take responsibilities

Gm C Bb C

Came the message from the front

F C/E Dm F/C Bb A7

For the captains, captains quarters must retreat

Gm7 C Bb F

Pack the compass, pack the tents, take the bunks

[Verse 3]

F C/E Bb F/C

They just chalked it down in history but they kept their uniforms

Bb F G C

They put their medals on the sideboards and they went back to their farms

F C/E Bb F

For it was just a mere reminder that they stood beside the best

Bb F C F

That God had saved the chosen few and the devil took the rest

[Chorus]

F C/E Dm F/C Bb F

Take it home, take it low, take responsibilities

Gm C Bb C

Came the message from the front

F C/E Dm F/C Bb A7

For the captains, captains quarters must retreat

Gm7 C Bb F

Pack the compass, pack the tents, take the bunks

[Verse 4]

F C/E Bb/D F

On the planes above the rock face where the sculptured eagles swoop

Bb F G C

There's a haunted yell for action among the spectres of his troops

F C/E Bb F

It was silent on the coastline as the crazy angels danced

Bb F C F

With the sound of retreating footfall from his military camp

[Chorus]

F C/E Dm F/C Bb F

Take it home, take it low, take responsibilities

Gm C Bb C

Came the message from the front

F C/E Dm F/C Bb A7

For the captains, captains quarters must retreat

Gm7 C Bb F

Pack the compass, pack the tents, take the bunks

About The Retreat Chords by Elton John

Learn how to play The Retreat by Elton John with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Retreat chords”, “The Retreat guitar chords”, or “Elton John The Retreat 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 The Retreat chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Retreat lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F, C/E, Bb/D, Bb, G, C.

FAQ — The Retreat by Elton John

How do I play "The Retreat" by Elton John on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Retreat" by Elton John on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "The Retreat" by Elton John free?

Yes. The chords for "The Retreat" by Elton John are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Retreat" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Retreat"?

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

Is "The Retreat" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "The Retreat" in?

The chords for "The Retreat" show the original chord names (including F, C/E, Bb/D, Bb, G, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.