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Gentle On My Mind

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The following is Gentle on My Mind, performed by Glen Campbell:
You really need a banjo to make this happen, but the progression seems to work well.
The “F” chord does not use the B note on the D string
The Em+C uses the C note on the B string.
Sorry I did not use the template...I'm not very skilled.
My thanks to Rod for working over the phone to figure this out.
Frank
C                      Em+C            Am
It's knowing that your door is always open
and your path is free to wDmalkFaug  F  G  
That mDmakes me tend to lFaugeave my
                             F                   G     CEm+C    Am  G  
sleepin' bag rolled up and stashed behind your couch
            C               Em+C 
And it's knowin' I'm not shackled by
forgotAmten words and bonds
                             CEm+C             Dm   Faug    F  G  
And the ink stains that have dried upon some line
That kDmeeps you in the baFaugckroads by the riFvers of my meGm'ry
                    Dm             G    CEm+C     Am  G  
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind
          C               Em+C             Am
It's not clingin' to the rocks and ivy planted
on their columns now that bDmind meFaug  F  G  
Or soDmmethin' that sFaugomebody said beFcause they thought
                 G        CEm+C     Am  G  
we fit together walkin'
              C             Em+C              Am
It's just knowing that the world will not be cursing or forgiving
                       CEm+C                  Dm    Faug    F  G  
When I walk along some railroad track and find
That you're moDmvin' on the bacFaugkroads by the rivFers of my mGem'ry
                          Dm             G        CEm+C       Am  G  
And for hours you're just gentle on my mind
            C                      Em+C
Though the wheat fields and the clotheslines
And the junAmkyards and the highways come beDmtween usFaug  F  G  
And some otDmher woman's cFaugrying to her moFther
                           G    CEm+C  Am  G  
cause she turned and I was gone
    C                 Em+C              Am
I still might run in silence, tears of joy might stain my face
                         CEm+C                Dm    Faug    F  G  
And the summer sun might burn me till I'm blind
But Dmnot to where I cFaugannot see you waFlkin' on the backGroads
                      Dm            G      CEm+C  Am  G  
By the rivers flowing gentle on my mind
   C            Em+C                  
I dip my cup of soup back from
a gurAmglin', cracklin' cauldron in some trDmain yardFaug  F  G  
My bDmeard a roughnin' Faugcoal pile and a dFirty hat 
                      G     CEm+C    Am  G  
pulled low across my face
          C                  Em+C
Through cupped hands round a tin can
I prAmetend to hold you to my breast and fDmindFaug  F  G  
That you're waDmvin' from the baFaugckroads by the riFvers of my meGm'ry
                    Dm               G        CEm+C       Am  G  
Ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind

All chords in this song (6)

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Gentle On My Mind

by John Hartford

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Faug

The following is Gentle on My Mind, performed by Glen Campbell:

You really need a banjo to make this happen, but the progression seems to work well.

The “F” chord does not use the B note on the D string

The Em+C uses the C note on the B string.

Sorry I did not use the template...I'm not very skilled.

My thanks to Rod for working over the phone to figure this out.

Frank

C Em+C Am

It's knowing that your door is always open

Dm Faug F G

and your path is free to walk

Dm Faug

That makes me tend to leave my

F G C Am G

Em+C

sleepin' bag rolled up and stashed behind your couch

C Em+C

And it's knowin' I'm not shackled by

forgotten words and bonds

C Dm Faug F G

Em+C

And the ink stains that have dried upon some line

Dm Faug F G

That keeps you in the backroads by the rivers of my mem'ry

Dm G C Am G

Em+C

That keeps you ever gentle on my mind

C Em+C Am

It's not clingin' to the rocks and ivy planted

Dm Faug F G

on their columns now that bind me

Dm Faug F

Or somethin' that somebody said because they thought

G C Am G

Em+C

we fit together walkin'

C Em+C Am

It's just knowing that the world will not be cursing or forgiving

C Dm Faug F G

Em+C

When I walk along some railroad track and find

Dm Faug F G

That you're movin' on the backroads by the rivers of my mem'ry

Dm G C Am G

Em+C

And for hours you're just gentle on my mind

C Em+C

Though the wheat fields and the clotheslines

Am Dm Faug F G

And the junkyards and the highways come between us

Dm Faug F

And some other woman's crying to her mother

G C Am G

Em+C

cause she turned and I was gone

C Em+C Am

I still might run in silence, tears of joy might stain my face

C Dm Faug F G

Em+C

And the summer sun might burn me till I'm blind

Dm Faug F G

But not to where I cannot see you walkin' on the backroads

Dm G C Am G

Em+C

By the rivers flowing gentle on my mind

C Em+C

I dip my cup of soup back from

Am Dm Faug F G

a gurglin', cracklin' cauldron in some train yard

Dm Faug F

My beard a roughnin' coal pile and a dirty hat

G C Am G

Em+C

pulled low across my face

C Em+C

Through cupped hands round a tin can

Am Dm Faug F G

I pretend to hold you to my breast and find

Dm Faug F G

That you're wavin' from the backroads by the rivers of my mem'ry

Dm G C Am G

Em+C

Ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind

About Gentle On My Mind Chords by John Hartford

Learn how to play Gentle On My Mind by John Hartford with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Gentle On My Mind chords”, “Gentle On My Mind guitar chords”, or “John Hartford Gentle On My Mind 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 Gentle On My Mind chords and for experienced players who want accurate Gentle On My Mind lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F, B, D, Em, C, Am.

FAQ — Gentle On My Mind by John Hartford

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What key is "Gentle On My Mind" in?

The chords for "Gentle On My Mind" show the original chord names (including F, B, D, Em, C, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.