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Six String Orchestra

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Bminor

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Six String Orchestra
Words and Music by Harry Chapin
[Verse 1]
The Dvery day I purchased it I Emchristened my guitar
As my Amonophonic symphony six string orchestraD  
DIn my room I'd practice late, and Emthey'd leave me alone
My mAother said, "You're nothin' yet, to mGake the fAolks write hDome."
I'd F#mplay at all the talent nights, I'd Emfinish, they'd applaud
Some Bmcalled in muffled F#mlaughter, I just Efigured they were awedA  
So I Dwent up for an encore, but they sEmcreamed they'd had enough
or, mAaybe I just need a group to Ghelp me Ado my Dstuff
[Chorus]
And so I drGeam a bass will join me and filDl the bottom end
And mGaybe now some leDad guitar so it woEuld not sound so tAhin
AbI nGeed some drums to set the beat and Dhelp me keep in tBmime
And Emway back in the disAtance some sGtrings would Asound so Dfine
And Gwe'd all play together like fDine musicians shoulD7d
And Git would sound like Dmusic and the mEusic would sound Agood
AbBut Gin real life I'm stuck with that Dsame old formulBma
                      Em       A            Em(individual notes: -  D-  A-  F#-  D- A)
Me and my monophonic symphony six string
orchDestra
[Verse 2]
I write Dlove songs for my favorite girl and Emsing 'em soft and slow
But befAore I get to finish she says she has to goD  
She's nice and say, "Excuse me, I've Emgot to find a bar
I Athink I need refreshment 'fore I hear yGou pAlay guiDtar."
I F#msent a demo tape I made to the reEmcord companies
BmTwo came back adF#mdress unknown, one cEame back C.O.AD.
Of Dcourse I got form letters all Emsayin' pleasant things
Like sugAgesting I should find a trade where I Gwould not Ahave to Dsing
[Chorus]
And so I drGeam a bass will join me and fDill the bottom end
And mGaybe now some lDead guitar so it wEould not sound so tAhin
AbI nGeed some drums to set the beat and Dhelp me keep in tBmime
And Emway back in the disAtance some sGtrings would Asound so Dfine
And Gwe'd all play together like fDine musicians shoulD7d
And Git would sound like Dmusic and the mEusic would sound Agood
AbBut Gin real life I'm stuck with that sDame old formulaBm  
                   Em          A            Em(individual notes: -  D-  A-  F#-  D- A)
Me and my monophonic symphony six string
orcDhestra
[Verse 3]
I've been Dtakin' guitar lessons but my Emteacher just took leave
It was sAomething about a breakdown or needing a reprieDve
I know I've found my future so EmI will persevere
And hAold on to my dream of makin' Gmusic Ato their eaDrs
[Chorus]
And so I drGeam a bass will join me and filDl the bottom end
And mGaybe now some leDad guitar so it woEuld not sound so tAhin
AbI nGeed some drums to set the beat and Dhelp me keep in tBmime
And Emway back in the disAtance some sGtrings would Asound so Dfine
And Gwe'd all play together like fDine musicians shoulD7d
And Git would sound like Dmusic and the mEusic would sound Agood
AbBut Gin real life I'm stuck with that Dsame old formulBma
                   Em          A            Em(individual notes: -  D-  A-  F#-  D- A)
Me and my monophonic symphony six string
orcDhestra

All chords in this song (10)

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Six String Orchestra

by Harry Chapin

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

Six String Orchestra

Words and Music by Harry Chapin

[Verse 1]

D Em

The very day I purchased it I christened my guitar

A D

As my monophonic symphony six string orchestra

D Em

In my room I'd practice late, and they'd leave me alone

A G A D

My mother said, "You're nothin' yet, to make the folks write home."

F#m Em

I'd play at all the talent nights, I'd finish, they'd applaud

Bm F#m E A

Some called in muffled laughter, I just figured they were awed

D Em

So I went up for an encore, but they screamed they'd had enough

A G A D

or, maybe I just need a group to help me do my stuff

[Chorus]

G D

And so I dream a bass will join me and fill the bottom end

G D E A

And maybe now some lead guitar so it would not sound so thin

Ab G D Bm

I need some drums to set the beat and help me keep in time

Em A G A D

And way back in the distance some strings would sound so fine

G D D7

And we'd all play together like fine musicians should

G D E A

And it would sound like music and the music would sound good

Ab G D Bm

But in real life I'm stuck with that same old formula

Em A Em D A F# D A

(individual notes: - - - - - )

Me and my monophonic symphony six string

orchestra

[Verse 2]

D Em

I write love songs for my favorite girl and sing 'em soft and slow

A D

But before I get to finish she says she has to go

She's nice and say, "Excuse me, I've got to find a bar

A G A D

I think I need refreshment 'fore I hear you play guitar."

F#m Em

I sent a demo tape I made to the record companies

Bm F#m E A

Two came back address unknown, one came back C.O.D.

D Em

Of course I got form letters all sayin' pleasant things

A G A D

Like suggesting I should find a trade where I would not have to sing

[Chorus]

G D

And so I dream a bass will join me and fill the bottom end

G D E A

And maybe now some lead guitar so it would not sound so thin

Ab G D Bm

I need some drums to set the beat and help me keep in time

Em A G A D

And way back in the distance some strings would sound so fine

G D D7

And we'd all play together like fine musicians should

G D E A

And it would sound like music and the music would sound good

Ab G D Bm

But in real life I'm stuck with that same old formula

Em A Em D A F# D A

(individual notes: - - - - - )

Me and my monophonic symphony six string

orchestra

[Verse 3]

D Em

I've been takin' guitar lessons but my teacher just took leave

A D

It was something about a breakdown or needing a reprieve

I know I've found my future so I will persevere

A G A D

And hold on to my dream of makin' music to their ears

[Chorus]

G D

And so I dream a bass will join me and fill the bottom end

G D E A

And maybe now some lead guitar so it would not sound so thin

Ab G D Bm

I need some drums to set the beat and help me keep in time

Em A G A D

And way back in the distance some strings would sound so fine

G D D7

And we'd all play together like fine musicians should

G D E A

And it would sound like music and the music would sound good

Ab G D Bm

But in real life I'm stuck with that same old formula

Em A Em D A F# D A

(individual notes: - - - - - )

Me and my monophonic symphony six string

orchestra

About Six String Orchestra Chords by Harry Chapin

Learn how to play Six String Orchestra by Harry Chapin with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Six String Orchestra chords”, “Six String Orchestra guitar chords”, or “Harry Chapin Six String Orchestra 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 Six String Orchestra chords and for experienced players who want accurate Six String Orchestra lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, Em, A, G, F#m, Bm.

FAQ — Six String Orchestra by Harry Chapin

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What key is "Six String Orchestra" in?

The chords for "Six String Orchestra" show the original chord names (including D, Em, A, G, F#m, Bm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.