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The Man Comes Around

Chords

4.81,066 votes

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Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/4

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 4Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

NB: The song has a piano playing some bass notes in parts, no need to play them on guitar.
C/G chord is :  332010 (just a regular C, with the G on the 6th string)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Playing notes: the rhythm in the verse lines is hard to explain, but if you listen 
you will know, it's just basically playing the chord then muting the strings, this 
goes for all the C/G chord, until you reach the Am, when you strum without muting.)
The ** bit, is the transition for the strumming pattern with the muting to the Am chord:
e|----------Am0------------|F  G  
B|----------1------------|
G|----------2------------|
D|----------2------------|
A|-3--2--0--0------------|
E|-----------------------|
[Verse 1]
---------
C/GThere's a man, goin' 'round, takin' names
C/GAnd he decides, who to free, and who to blame
C/GEverybody, won't be treated, all the same
                            C**           Am  
There'll be a golden ladder, reaching down
  FWhen the mGan comes arounC/Gd
C/GThe hairs, on your arm, will stand up
C/GAt the terror, in each sip, and in each sup
C/GWill you partake of that last offered cup?
                             C/G**    Am  
Or disappear, into the potter's ground?
  FWhen the mGan comes arounC/Gd
(playing notes: the chorus is played without muted strumming pattern of the verse)
[Chorus]
--------
CHear the trumpets, hear the pipers
COne hundred million angels singin'
CMultitudes are marchin' to the bFig kCettleGdrum
GVoices callin', voices cryin'
GSome are born and some are dyin'
GIt's Alpha and Omega's kingdom Ccome
(playing notes: only the C/G part is played with the verse strum pattern, and the 
other lines are played normally)
[Bridge]
--------
(C)                         F  C  
And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree
And the C/Gvirgins are all trimming their wicks
The wFhirlwind is in the tChorn tree
It's C/Ghard for thee to kick against the pricks
[Verse 2]
---------
C/GTill Armageddon, no shalam, no shalom
C/GThen the father hen will call his chickens home
C/GThe wise men will bow down before the throne
                                C/G**      Am  
And at his feet they'll cast their golden crowns…
  FWhen the mGan comes aroundC/G  
C/GWhoever is unjust, let him be unjust still
C/GWhoever is righteous, let him be righteous still
C/GWhoever is filthy, let him be filthy still
                        C/G**        Am  
Listen to the words long written down
  FWhen the mGan comes aroundC  
[Chorus]
--------
CHear the trumpets, hear the pipers
COne hundred million angels singing
CMultitudes are marchin' to the bFig kCettleGdrum
GVoices callin', voices cryin'
GSome are born and some are dyin'
GIt's Alpha and Omega's kingdom Ccome
[Bridge]
--------
(C)                         F  C  
And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree
And the C/Gvirgins are all trimming their wicks
The wFhirlwind is in the tChorn tree
It's C/Ghard for thee to kick against the pricks
In C/Gmeasured a hundredweight and penny Ampound
  FWhen the mGan comes arounC/Gd

All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

This song is a powerful and somber reflection on judgment and redemption, deeply rooted in biblical imagery. It was inspired by a vivid dream Johnny Cash had, which led him to explore themes of judgment and the divine. The lyrics are rich with references to the Book of Revelation, particularly the coming of the Four Horsemen and the eventual judgment by "the man," interpreted as Jesus Christ. Cash's deep, resonant voice, both singing and speaking, brings to life a vision of trumpets, angels, and the ultimate reckoning. It plays like a profound meditation on faith and the end times.

AI-written from these sources:The Man Comes Around — Wikipedia ↗Johnny Cash — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

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

The Man Comes Around

by Johnny Cash

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C/G

NB: The song has a piano playing some bass notes in parts, no need to play them on guitar.

C/G chord is : 332010 (just a regular C, with the G on the 6th string)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Playing notes: the rhythm in the verse lines is hard to explain, but if you listen

you will know, it's just basically playing the chord then muting the strings, this

goes for all the C/G chord, until you reach the Am, when you strum without muting.)

The ** bit, is the transition for the strumming pattern with the muting to the Am chord:

Am F G

e|----------0------------|

B|----------1------------|

G|----------2------------|

D|----------2------------|

A|-3--2--0--0------------|

E|-----------------------|

[Verse 1]

---------

C/G

There's a man, goin' 'round, takin' names

C/G

And he decides, who to free, and who to blame

C/G

Everybody, won't be treated, all the same

C Am

There'll be a golden ladder, reaching down

F G C/G

When the man comes around

C/G

The hairs, on your arm, will stand up

C/G

At the terror, in each sip, and in each sup

C/G

Will you partake of that last offered cup?

C/G Am

Or disappear, into the potter's ground?

F G C/G

When the man comes around

(playing notes: the chorus is played without muted strumming pattern of the verse)

[Chorus]

--------

Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers

One hundred million angels singin'

C F C G

Multitudes are marchin' to the big kettledrum

Voices callin', voices cryin'

Some are born and some are dyin'

G C

It's Alpha and Omega's kingdom come

(playing notes: only the C/G part is played with the verse strum pattern, and the

other lines are played normally)

[Bridge]

--------

C F C

()

And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree

C/G

And the virgins are all trimming their wicks

F C

The whirlwind is in the thorn tree

C/G

It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks

[Verse 2]

---------

C/G

Till Armageddon, no shalam, no shalom

C/G

Then the father hen will call his chickens home

C/G

The wise men will bow down before the throne

C/G Am

And at his feet they'll cast their golden crowns…

F G C/G

When the man comes around

C/G

Whoever is unjust, let him be unjust still

C/G

Whoever is righteous, let him be righteous still

C/G

Whoever is filthy, let him be filthy still

C/G Am

Listen to the words long written down

F G C

When the man comes around

[Chorus]

--------

Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers

One hundred million angels singing

C F C G

Multitudes are marchin' to the big kettledrum

Voices callin', voices cryin'

Some are born and some are dyin'

G C

It's Alpha and Omega's kingdom come

[Bridge]

--------

C F C

()

And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree

C/G

And the virgins are all trimming their wicks

F C

The whirlwind is in the thorn tree

C/G

It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks

C/G Am

In measured a hundredweight and penny pound

F G C/G

When the man comes around

About The Man Comes Around Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play The Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Man Comes Around chords”, “The Man Comes Around guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash The Man Comes Around 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 The Man Comes Around chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Man Comes Around lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C/G, C, G, Am, F, B.

FAQ — The Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash

How do I play "The Man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash 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 "The Man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash free?

Yes. The chords for "The Man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Man Comes Around" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "The Man Comes Around" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Man Comes Around"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Man Comes Around" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Man Comes Around" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Cash below.

What key is "The Man Comes Around" in?

The chords for "The Man Comes Around" show the original chord names (including C/G, C, G, Am, F, B). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.