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First We Take Manhattan

Chords

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Capo on fret 8 (as written in this song)

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

First We Take Manhattan - Leonard Cohen
spotify:track:6UEzGV76d96lYTA68iBO0B
Capo 8 or transpose +8 to get tone of recording
ADVICE: Most easy is Capo on 1 and Transpose Button -5
[Intro]
|  Dm| %  |  Am| %  |
|  Dm| %  |  Am| %  |
|  Dm| %  |  Am| %  |
|   G|   F|   E|   E|
|  Am|  Am|
[Verse 1]
They senDmtenced me to twenty years of Amboredom
For Dmtrying to change the system from wiAmthin
I'm Dmcoming now I'm coming to reAmward them
GFirst we take ManFhattan, Ethen we take BerAmlin
[Verse 2]
I'm Dmguided by a signal in the Amheavens
I'm Dmguided by this birthmark on my Amskin
I'm Dmguided by the beauty of our Amweapons
GFirst we take ManFhattan, Ethen we take BerAmlin
[Chorus]
I'd Creally like to live beside you, Gbaby
  FI lGove your bCody and your spirit and your cAmlothes
But you Csee that line there moving through the Amstation
I Gtold you, I Ftold you, Etold you I was one of Amthose
[Verse 3]
You Dmloved me as a loser but now you're Amworried that I just might win
You Dmknow the way to stop me but you Amdon't have the discipline
How Dmmany nights I prayed for this: to lAmet my work begin
GFirst we take ManFhattan, Ethen we take BerAmlin
[Verse 4]
DmI don't like your fashion business, Ammister
DmI don't like these drugs that keep you Amthin
DmI don't like what happened to my Amsister
GFirst we take ManFhattan, Ethen we take BerAmlin
[Chorus]
I'd Creally like to live beside you, Gbaby
  FI lGove your bCody and your spirit and your cAmlothes
But you Csee that line there moving through the Amstation
I Gtold you, I Ftold you, Etold you I was one of Amthose
[Verse 5]
And I Dmthank you for those items that you Amsent me
The Dmmonkey and the plywood vioAmlin
I Dmpracticed every night now I'm Amready
GFirst we take ManFhattan, Ethen we take BerAmlinG  F  E  
[Verse 6]
ReDmmember me, I used to live for Ammusic
ReDmmember me, I brought your groceries Amin
Well it's DmFather's Day and everybody's Amwounded
GFirst we take ManFhattan, Ethen we take BerAmlin
[Outro]
Am(Repeat GanAmd fade out)

All chords in this song (6)

The story behind the song

This song explores themes of religious prophecy and end times, with lyrics that hint at prayer, significant birthmarks, and signs in the sky. Leonard Cohen himself described it as a "terrorist song," a response to terrorism, and admitted to admiring aspects of terrorism. The lyrics evoke an apocalyptic vision, suggesting social collapse and a desire for world domination, while also being interpreted as a political statement connected to the final days of the Soviet Union. It plays like a stark, unsettling declaration of intent.

AI-written from these sources:First We Take Manhattan — Wikipedia ↗Leonard Cohen — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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First We Take Manhattan

by Leonard Cohen

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 8 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

First We Take Manhattan - Leonard Cohen

spotify:track:6UEzGV76d96lYTA68iBO0B

Capo 8 or transpose +8 to get tone of recording

ADVICE: Most easy is Capo on 1 and Transpose Button -5

[Intro]

Dm Am

| | % | | % |

Dm Am

| | % | | % |

Dm Am

| | % | | % |

G F E E

| | | | |

Am Am

| | |

[Verse 1]

Dm Am

They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom

Dm Am

For trying to change the system from within

Dm Am

I'm coming now I'm coming to reward them

G F E Am

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

[Verse 2]

Dm Am

I'm guided by a signal in the heavens

Dm Am

I'm guided by this birthmark on my skin

Dm Am

I'm guided by the beauty of our weapons

G F E Am

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

[Chorus]

C G

I'd really like to live beside you, baby

F G C Am

I love your body and your spirit and your clothes

C Am

But you see that line there moving through the station

G F E Am

I told you, I told you, told you I was one of those

[Verse 3]

Dm Am

You loved me as a loser but now you're worried that I just might win

Dm Am

You know the way to stop me but you don't have the discipline

Dm Am

How many nights I prayed for this: to let my work begin

G F E Am

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

[Verse 4]

Dm Am

I don't like your fashion business, mister

Dm Am

I don't like these drugs that keep you thin

Dm Am

I don't like what happened to my sister

G F E Am

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

[Chorus]

C G

I'd really like to live beside you, baby

F G C Am

I love your body and your spirit and your clothes

C Am

But you see that line there moving through the station

G F E Am

I told you, I told you, told you I was one of those

[Verse 5]

Dm Am

And I thank you for those items that you sent me

Dm Am

The monkey and the plywood violin

Dm Am

I practiced every night now I'm ready

G F E Am G F E

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

[Verse 6]

Dm Am

Remember me, I used to live for music

Dm Am

Remember me, I brought your groceries in

Dm Am

Well it's Father's Day and everybody's wounded

G F E Am

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

[Outro]

Am G Am

(Repeat and fade out)

About First We Take Manhattan Chords by Leonard Cohen

Learn how to play First We Take Manhattan by Leonard Cohen with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “First We Take Manhattan chords”, “First We Take Manhattan guitar chords”, or “Leonard Cohen First We Take Manhattan 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 First We Take Manhattan chords and for experienced players who want accurate First We Take Manhattan lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dm, Am, G, F, E, C.

FAQ — First We Take Manhattan by Leonard Cohen

How do I play "First We Take Manhattan" by Leonard Cohen on guitar?

Open the free chords for "First We Take Manhattan" by Leonard Cohen 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 "First We Take Manhattan" by Leonard Cohen free?

Yes. The chords for "First We Take Manhattan" by Leonard Cohen are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "First We Take Manhattan" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "First We Take Manhattan"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "First We Take Manhattan" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "First We Take Manhattan" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "First We Take Manhattan" by Leonard Cohen with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Leonard Cohen below.

What key is "First We Take Manhattan" in?

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