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Lions

Chords

4.742 votes

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KeyOriginal

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Transposed -2 (easier to play because there are less barre chords). Use a 
capo 2nd fret to match the key of the Dire Straits' recording.
For chords in original key transpose +2.
Bb9  x-1-0-1-1-x or x-1-3-1-1-1
Dm9  x-x-0-2-1-0 or x-5-3-5-5-x
[Intro]
|  Am7|  C|  G|  F7|
|  Am7|  Am7|  Am7|  Em7     Bb9|
[Verse 1]
Am7Red sun, Cgoin' down, Gway over F7dirty town.
  Am7Starlings, they're Csweepin' around them Gcrazy shoD7als.
  Am7Yes, and  a giCrl is there, Ghigh  heelin' out aF7cross the square.
  Am7Wind it blows aCround in her hair  Gand the flags upon the D7poles.
 Dm9Waitin' in the crowd to cross at the light, Dm9she looks around
        Fdim          E7|  Am7|  Em7|  Am7|  Em7     Bb9|
to find a face she can like.      Uh huh.
[Verse 2]
Am7Church bell Cclingin' on, just a tGryin' to get a crowd F7for eve'n song.
 Am7Nobody cares to deCpend upon Gthe chime it D7plays.
Am7They're all in the station Cprayin' for trains. GThe congragation F7late again.
 Am7It's gettin' darker Call the time these Gflagpole D7days.
Dm9Drunk old soldier, he give her a fright.
                        Dm9     Fdim      E7|  Am7|  Em7|  Am7|  Em7     Bb9|
He's a crazy liion, he's a howlin' for a fight.    Uh huh.
[Guitar solo]
|  Am7|  C|  G|  F7| x2
|  Am7|  Am7|  Am7|  Em7    Bb9|
[Verse 3]
Am7Strap hangin', Cgunshot sound, Gdoors slaming on the F7overground.
 Am7The starlings are toughC, but the Glions are made of sD7tone.
Am7Her evening paper is Chorror torn, but there's Ghope for later, F7Capricorn.
 Am7Lucky stars give her Cjust enough Gto get her D7home.
 Dm9Then she'll read about a swing to the right,
Dm9But she's athinkin' 'bout a sFdimtranger E7in the Am7nightEm7.
[Chorus]
  FI'm thinkin' 'bout the Glions.
   FThinkin'  'bout the Glions.
  FWhat happened to the Gsus4lions toAm7nightEm7?
                                 (night)
ToAm7nightEm7,  tAm7onighEm7t, uAm7h huGh
[Outro]
   GThinking about the lions

All chords in this song (12)

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Lions

by Dire Straits

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Am7

Em7

Bb9

Dm9

Fdim

Gsus4

Transposed -2 (easier to play because there are less barre chords). Use a

capo 2nd fret to match the key of the Dire Straits' recording.

For chords in original key transpose +2.

Bb9 x-1-0-1-1-x or x-1-3-1-1-1

Dm9 x-x-0-2-1-0 or x-5-3-5-5-x

[Intro]

Am7 C G F7

| | | | |

Am7 Am7 Am7 Em7 Bb9

| | | | |

[Verse 1]

Am7 C G F7

Red sun, goin' down, way over dirty town.

Am7 C G D7

Starlings, they're sweepin' around them crazy shoals.

Am7 C G F7

Yes, and a girl is there, high heelin' out across the square.

Am7 C G D7

Wind it blows around in her hair and the flags upon the poles.

Dm9 Dm9

Waitin' in the crowd to cross at the light, she looks around

Fdim E7 Am7 Em7 Am7 Em7 Bb9

| | | | |

to find a face she can like. Uh huh.

[Verse 2]

Am7 C G F7

Church bell clingin' on, just a tryin' to get a crowd for eve'n song.

Am7 C G D7

Nobody cares to depend upon the chime it plays.

Am7 C G F7

They're all in the station prayin' for trains. The congragation late again.

Am7 C G D7

It's gettin' darker all the time these flagpole days.

Dm9

Drunk old soldier, he give her a fright.

Dm9 Fdim E7 Am7 Em7 Am7 Em7 Bb9

| | | | |

He's a crazy liion, he's a howlin' for a fight. Uh huh.

[Guitar solo]

Am7 C G F7

| | | | | x2

Am7 Am7 Am7 Em7 Bb9

| | | | |

[Verse 3]

Am7 C G F7

Strap hangin', gunshot sound, doors slaming on the overground.

Am7 C G D7

The starlings are tough, but the lions are made of stone.

Am7 C G F7

Her evening paper is horror torn, but there's hope for later, Capricorn.

Am7 C G D7

Lucky stars give her just enough to get her home.

Dm9

Then she'll read about a swing to the right,

Dm9 Fdim E7 Am7 Em7

But she's athinkin' 'bout a stranger in the night.

[Chorus]

F G

I'm thinkin' 'bout the lions.

F G

Thinkin' 'bout the lions.

F Gsus4 Am7 Em7

What happened to the lions tonight?

(night)

Am7 Em7 Am7 Em7 Am7 G

Tonight, tonight, uh huh

[Outro]

Thinking about the lions

About Lions Chords by Dire Straits

Learn how to play Lions by Dire Straits with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Lions chords”, “Lions guitar chords”, or “Dire Straits Lions 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 Lions chords and for experienced players who want accurate Lions lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Bb9, Am7, C, G, F7, Em7.

FAQ — Lions by Dire Straits

How do I play "Lions" by Dire Straits on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Lions" by Dire Straits 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 "Lions" by Dire Straits free?

Yes. The chords for "Lions" by Dire Straits are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Lions" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Lions"?

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

Is "Lions" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Lions" by Dire Straits with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Dire Straits below.

What key is "Lions" in?

The chords for "Lions" show the original chord names (including Bb9, Am7, C, G, F7, Em7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.