Don Quixote
Chords
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15
Original
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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams
#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------##
Notes:
-----
Although several songbooks have written this song out in the key of C,
Lightfoot *ALWAYS* uses a capo. For this song, the capo is used on the second fret and the chords are
"normally". They *sound* a whole step higher. Is this confusing? Just put a capo on the 2nd fret, pop on
record or CD, and play along!!! You'll sound fine and in tune!!!
Listen how the song pulses on the A string rhythmically -- feel that galloping horse.
The chorus changes from the E/A, D/A, A pattern the second time round, to the "normal" E, A, D chords.
should too, if you want to sound authentic.
Fingerpick the song using your thumb, index, and middle fingers. That's how The Man does it.
Have fun!!!
The Chords:
----------
The names may be a bit wrong since it's getting late, but the chord forms are correct. The numbers
with the recommended finger to use, starting with 1=index, etc... Advanced players choose your own. :-) Look
for the "1"'s -- they get lost in the text easily../
A D( Abass) E( Abass) E
(D/A) (E/A)
=========== =========== =========== ===========
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | 1 1 1 | | | 1 1 1 | | | 1 1 1 | | 2 3 | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
E7( Abass) D E7
(E7/A)
=========== =========== =========== ===========
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | 1 1 1 | | | | 1 | 2 | 2 3 | | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | 2 | | | | | 3 | | | | | 4 | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
The Song:
--------
Intro/fill: (Gord's part) (BIG kudos to anyone who posts or emails me Red
---------- Shea's original -- I can't get the rhythm right and I don't
A, D/A, A, A, E7/A, A
Verses, Choruses:
----------------
A D/A AE/ A A
Through the woodland through the valley comes a horseman wild and free
Tilting at the D/Awindmills Apassing who can the brave young E/Ahorseman Abe
He is wild but D/Ahe is Amellow, he is strong but E/Ahe is Aweak
D/A A E/A A AE7/ A A
He is cruel but he is gentle, he is wise but he is meek
E/AReaching for his saddlebags he D/Atakes a battered book into his Ahand
E/AStanding like prophet bold he D/Ashouts across the ocean to the Ashore
Till he can shout no EmoreE7
A D/A AE/ A A
I have come o'er moor and mountain like a hawk upon the wing
I was once a D/Ashining Aknight who was the guardian E/Aof a Aking
I have searched the D/Awhole world Aover, looking for a E/Aplace to Asleep
I have seen the D/Astrong surAvive and I have seen the E/Alean grow Aweak
Intro chords: A, D/A, A, A, E7/A, A
A D/A AE/ A A
See the children of the earth who wake to find the table bare
D/A A E/A A AE7/ A A
See the gentry in the country riding off to take the air
EReaching for his saddlebags he Dtakes a rusty sword into his Ahand
Then Estriking up a knightly pose he Dshouts across the ocean to the Ashore
Till he can shout no EmoreE7
A D/A AE/ A A
See the jailer with his key who locks away all trace of sin
See the judge uD/Apon the Abench who tries the case as E/Abest he Acan
See the wise and D/Awicked Aones who feed upon life's E/Asacred Afire
See the soldier D/Awith his Agun who must be dead to E/Abe adAmired
Intro chords: A, D/A, A, A, E7/A, A
A D/A AE/ A A
See the man who tips the needle, see the man who buys and sells
See the one who D/Aputs the Acollar on the ones who E/Adare not Atell
See the drunkard D/Ain the Atavern stemming gold to E/Amake ends Ameet
D/A A E/A A AE7/ A A
See the youth in ghetto black condemned to life upon the street
EReaching for his saddlebags he Dtakes a tarnished cross into his Ahand
EThen standing like a preacher now he Dshouts across the ocean to the Ashore
EThen in a blaze of tangled hooves he Dgallops off across the dusty Aplain
In vain to search Eagain, where no one will Dhear (pause)
A D/A AE/ A A
Through the woodland through the valley comes a horseman wild and free
Tilting at the D/Awindmills Apassing who can the brave young E/Ahorseman Abe
He is wild but D/Ahe is Amellow, he is strong but E/Ahe is Aweak
He is cruel but D/Ahe is Agentle, he is wise but E/Ahe is Ameek
Intro chords: A, D/A, A, A, E7/A, A
All chords in this song (7)
The story behind the song
Gordon Lightfoot was a Canadian singer-songwriter known for his timeless songs that often explored themes of trains, shipwrecks, rivers, highways, lovers, and loneliness. His work helped define the singer-songwriter era of the 1970s, earning him numerous Gold and Platinum albums. This song, appearing on the album "Gord's Gold," exemplifies the kind of rich storytelling and evocative imagery that made Lightfoot one of Canada's most celebrated artists. Playing it feels like stepping into a classic folk narrative.
🎸 Tips from players
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Don Quixote
by Gordon Lightfoot
Chords in this song · guitar
A
D
E
D/A
E/A
E7
E7/A
#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------##
Notes:
-----
Although several songbooks have written this song out in the key of C,
Lightfoot *ALWAYS* uses a capo. For this song, the capo is used on the second fret and the chords are
"normally". They *sound* a whole step higher. Is this confusing? Just put a capo on the 2nd fret, pop on
record or CD, and play along!!! You'll sound fine and in tune!!!
Listen how the song pulses on the A string rhythmically -- feel that galloping horse.
The chorus changes from the E/A, D/A, A pattern the second time round, to the "normal" E, A, D chords.
should too, if you want to sound authentic.
Fingerpick the song using your thumb, index, and middle fingers. That's how The Man does it.
Have fun!!!
The Chords:
----------
The names may be a bit wrong since it's getting late, but the chord forms are correct. The numbers
with the recommended finger to use, starting with 1=index, etc... Advanced players choose your own. :-) Look
for the "1"'s -- they get lost in the text easily../
A D A E A E
( bass) ( bass)
D/A E/A
() ()
=========== =========== =========== ===========
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | 1 1 1 | | | 1 1 1 | | | 1 1 1 | | 2 3 | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
E7 A D E7
( bass)
E7/A
()
=========== =========== =========== ===========
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | 1 1 1 | | | | 1 | 2 | 2 3 | | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | 2 | | | | | 3 | | | | | 4 | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
The Song:
--------
Intro/fill: (Gord's part) (BIG kudos to anyone who posts or emails me Red
---------- Shea's original -- I can't get the rhythm right and I don't
A D/A A A A A
, , , , E7/,
Verses, Choruses:
----------------
A D/A A A A
E/
Through the woodland through the valley comes a horseman wild and free
D/A A E/A A
Tilting at the windmills passing who can the brave young horseman be
D/A A E/A A
He is wild but he is mellow, he is strong but he is weak
D/A A E/A A A A A
E7/
He is cruel but he is gentle, he is wise but he is meek
E/A D/A A
Reaching for his saddlebags he takes a battered book into his hand
E/A D/A A
Standing like prophet bold he shouts across the ocean to the shore
E E7
Till he can shout no more
A D/A A A A
E/
I have come o'er moor and mountain like a hawk upon the wing
D/A A E/A A
I was once a shining knight who was the guardian of a king
D/A A E/A A
I have searched the whole world over, looking for a place to sleep
D/A A E/A A
I have seen the strong survive and I have seen the lean grow weak
A D/A A A A A
Intro chords: , , , , E7/,
A D/A A A A
E/
See the children of the earth who wake to find the table bare
D/A A E/A A A A A
E7/
See the gentry in the country riding off to take the air
E D A
Reaching for his saddlebags he takes a rusty sword into his hand
E D A
Then striking up a knightly pose he shouts across the ocean to the shore
E E7
Till he can shout no more
A D/A A A A
E/
See the jailer with his key who locks away all trace of sin
D/A A E/A A
See the judge upon the bench who tries the case as best he can
D/A A E/A A
See the wise and wicked ones who feed upon life's sacred fire
D/A A E/A A
See the soldier with his gun who must be dead to be admired
A D/A A A A A
Intro chords: , , , , E7/,
A D/A A A A
E/
See the man who tips the needle, see the man who buys and sells
D/A A E/A A
See the one who puts the collar on the ones who dare not tell
D/A A E/A A
See the drunkard in the tavern stemming gold to make ends meet
D/A A E/A A A A A
E7/
See the youth in ghetto black condemned to life upon the street
E D A
Reaching for his saddlebags he takes a tarnished cross into his hand
E D A
Then standing like a preacher now he shouts across the ocean to the shore
E D A
Then in a blaze of tangled hooves he gallops off across the dusty plain
E D
In vain to search again, where no one will hear (pause)
A D/A A A A
E/
Through the woodland through the valley comes a horseman wild and free
D/A A E/A A
Tilting at the windmills passing who can the brave young horseman be
D/A A E/A A
He is wild but he is mellow, he is strong but he is weak
D/A A E/A A
He is cruel but he is gentle, he is wise but he is meek
A D/A A A A A
Intro chords: , , , , E7/,
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Lyrics and compositions © their respective songwriters and publishers. Free for personal practice.
About Don Quixote Chords by Gordon Lightfoot
Learn how to play Don Quixote by Gordon Lightfoot with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Don Quixote chords”, “Don Quixote guitar chords”, or “Gordon Lightfoot Don Quixote 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 Don Quixote chords and for experienced players who want accurate Don Quixote lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, A, E/A, D/A, E, D.
FAQ — Don Quixote by Gordon Lightfoot
How do I play "Don Quixote" by Gordon Lightfoot on guitar?
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Can I transpose "Don Quixote" to a different key?
Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Don Quixote" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.
Can I see chord diagrams for "Don Quixote"?
Yes. Tap any chord in "Don Quixote" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.
Is "Don Quixote" easy to play on guitar?
Many players learn "Don Quixote" by Gordon Lightfoot with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Gordon Lightfoot below.
What key is "Don Quixote" in?
The chords for "Don Quixote" show the original chord names (including C, A, E/A, D/A, E, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.