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Masters Of War

Chords

4.7278 votes

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Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/2

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 2Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

e|-x-|
A|-x-| 
D|-x-| 
G|-0-| 
B|-1-| 
E|-0-|  
In parts he pulls the index off for one downstroke, to add a bit of complexity
from that C shape - creating an effective Em: 
e|-x-|
A|-x-| 
D|-x-| 
G|-0-| 
B|-0-| 
E|-0-|  
this is particularly noticeable in the final line of the verses.
The strum pattern is, if  ^ = upstroke v = downstroke
v    v ^ v ^  v    ^ v ^        v    v ^ v ^  v    ^ v ^ 
                 Dm     C(Em)                      Dm           C  
(repeat times x12)
v    v ^ v ^  v    ^ v  ^       v    v ^ v ^  v    ^ v ^ 
Dm                 C    Em      Am                 Am
Masters Of War - Bob Dylan 
(Capo 2)
[Verse 1]
DmCome you masters   oCf        DmwarC  
DmYou that build     tChe       Dmbig gunsC  
DmYou that build     tChe       Dmdeath planesC  
DmYou that build     aCll       Dmthe bombsC  
DmYou that hide     beChind     Dmwalls    C  
DmYou that hide     beChind     Dmdesks    C  
DmI just want        yCou  Emto   Amknow I can see through your  
DmmasksC  Dm  C  
(Repeat for following verses)
[Verse 2]
You that never have done nothin' but build to destroy
You play with my world like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand then you hide from my eyes
Then you turn and run farther when the fast bullets fly
[Verse 3]
Like Judas of old you lie and deceive
A world war can be won, you want me to believe
But I see through your eyes and I see through your brain
Like I see through the water that runs down my drain
[Verse 4]
You that fasten all the triggers for the others to fire
Then you sit back and watch while the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansions while the young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies and gets buried in the mud
[Verse 5]
You've thrown the worst fear that can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children into the world
For threatening my baby, unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood that runs in your veins
[Verse 6]
How much do I know to talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young, you might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know, though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never forgive what you do
[Verse 7]
Let me ask you one question:  is your money that good?
Will it buy you forgiveness?  Do you think that it could?
I think you will find when your death takes its toll
All the money you made won't ever buy back your soul
[Verse 8]
And I hope that you die and your death will come soon
I'll follow your casket through the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered into your death-bed
Then I'll stand over your grave till I'm sure that you're
Dead
On the final word 'dead' strum Dm hard and quickly to end.

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

"Masters of War" is a stark and direct protest against those who profit from conflict, written in the shadow of the Cold War's nuclear arms race. The lyrics are a blunt condemnation, leaving no room for ambiguity about the singer's perspective on those who instigate and benefit from war. The song's melody is adapted from the traditional "Nottamun Town," transforming its nonsensical words into a powerful political statement. It explores a feeling of frustration and anger, a striking out against those in power, and plays like a relentless and unyielding call for accountability.

AI-written from these sources:Masters of War — Wikipedia ↗Bob Dylan — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Masters Of War

by Bob Dylan

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

e|-x-|

A|-x-|

D|-x-|

G|-0-|

B|-1-|

E|-0-|

In parts he pulls the index off for one downstroke, to add a bit of complexity

from that C shape - creating an effective Em:

e|-x-|

A|-x-|

D|-x-|

G|-0-|

B|-0-|

E|-0-|

this is particularly noticeable in the final line of the verses.

The strum pattern is, if ^ = upstroke v = downstroke

v v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^

Dm C Em Dm C

()

(repeat times x12)

v v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^

Dm C Em Am Am

Masters Of War - Bob Dylan

(Capo 2)

[Verse 1]

Dm C Dm C

Come you masters of war

Dm C Dm C

You that build the big guns

Dm C Dm C

You that build the death planes

Dm C Dm C

You that build all the bombs

Dm C Dm C

You that hide behind walls

Dm C Dm C

You that hide behind desks

Dm C Em Am

I just want you to know I can see through your

Dm C Dm C

masks

(Repeat for following verses)

[Verse 2]

You that never have done nothin' but build to destroy

You play with my world like it's your little toy

You put a gun in my hand then you hide from my eyes

Then you turn and run farther when the fast bullets fly

[Verse 3]

Like Judas of old you lie and deceive

A world war can be won, you want me to believe

But I see through your eyes and I see through your brain

Like I see through the water that runs down my drain

[Verse 4]

You that fasten all the triggers for the others to fire

Then you sit back and watch while the death count gets higher

You hide in your mansions while the young people's blood

Flows out of their bodies and gets buried in the mud

[Verse 5]

You've thrown the worst fear that can ever be hurled

Fear to bring children into the world

For threatening my baby, unborn and unnamed

You ain't worth the blood that runs in your veins

[Verse 6]

How much do I know to talk out of turn

You might say that I'm young, you might say I'm unlearned

But there's one thing I know, though I'm younger than you

Even Jesus would never forgive what you do

[Verse 7]

Let me ask you one question: is your money that good?

Will it buy you forgiveness? Do you think that it could?

I think you will find when your death takes its toll

All the money you made won't ever buy back your soul

[Verse 8]

And I hope that you die and your death will come soon

I'll follow your casket through the pale afternoon

And I'll watch while you're lowered into your death-bed

Then I'll stand over your grave till I'm sure that you're

Dead

On the final word 'dead' strum Dm hard and quickly to end.

About Masters Of War Chords by Bob Dylan

Learn how to play Masters Of War by Bob Dylan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Masters Of War chords”, “Masters Of War guitar chords”, or “Bob Dylan Masters Of War 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 Masters Of War chords and for experienced players who want accurate Masters Of War lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, D, G, B, E, C.

FAQ — Masters Of War by Bob Dylan

How do I play "Masters Of War" by Bob Dylan on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Masters Of War" by Bob Dylan 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 "Masters Of War" by Bob Dylan free?

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Can I transpose "Masters Of War" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Masters Of War"?

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

Is "Masters Of War" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Masters Of War" by Bob Dylan with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bob Dylan below.

What key is "Masters Of War" in?

The chords for "Masters Of War" show the original chord names (including A, D, G, B, E, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.