Now playing

Live Like You Were Dying

Chords

4.8312 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
 Cadd9   Dx4
[Verse 1]
He said I waGs in my early forties with Cadd9a lot of life before me
and a Emmoment came that Dstopped me on a Cadd9dime
I spent Gmost of the next days Cadd9looking at the x-rays
Emtalking ‘bout the Dsus4options and Cadd9talkin’ ‘bout sweet time
EmI asked him when it sank in if B7this might really be the real end
How’s it hGit ‘cha when you get that kind of Cadd9news, man what’cha do?
[Chorus]
I went Gsky diving
I went Cadd9rocky mountain climbing
I went Emtwo point seven Dsus4seconds on a Cadd9bull named Fu Man Chu
And I Gloved deeper and I B7spoke sweeter and I Emgave Dsus4forgiveness id been
dCadd9enying
and he said some day I hope you get the Dchance to live like you were Gdying
[Verse 2]
He said I was Gfinally the husband that Cadd9most the time I wasn’t
And I Embecame a friend a Dfriend would like to Cadd9have
And Gall of a sudden going fishin’ wasn’t Cadd9such an imposition
And I Emwent three times that Dyear I lost my Cadd9dad
[Bridge]
Well I Emfinally read the Good Book and I took a gB7ood long hard look
at what I'd Gdo if I could do it all aCadd9gain and then…
[Chorus]
I went Gsky diving
I went Cadd9rocky mountain climbing
I went Emtwo point seven Dsus4seconds on a Cadd9bull named Fu Man Chu
And I Gloved deeper and I B7spoke sweeter and I Emgave Dsus4forgiveness id been Cadd9denying
and he said some day I hope you get the Dchance to live like you were dEmying
[Bridge]
Like B7tomorrow was a gift and you got Geternity to think about what you’d Cadd9do with it?
What could you Ddo with it
What could I Cdo with it
What would I Cadd9do with it
(Key Change - Whole Step Up)
[Chorus]
I went Asky diving
I went Dadd9rocky mountain climbing
I went F#mtwo point seven Eseconds on a Dadd9bull named Fu Man Chu
And I Aloved deeper and I C#7spoke sweeter and I F#mwatched an Eeagle as it was Dadd9flying
and he said some day I hope you get the Echance to live like you were Adying
To live like you were AdyingD  
To live like you were AdyingD  
To live like you were AdyingD  
To live like you were AdyingD  

All chords in this song (12)

The story behind the song

This powerful song by Tim McGraw explores a profound shift in perspective that often comes with facing a life-limiting illness. Written by Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman, the lyrics center on embracing life to its fullest and striving to become a better person, inspired by stories of friends and family who gained new clarity when confronted with limited time. It describes a man in his early forties who, after receiving a diagnosis, decides to go skydiving and become the kind of friend others would admire. Released in 2004 as the lead single from the album of the same name, the song became a huge success. At its heart, it's a moving reminder to cherish every moment and live with intention.

AI-written from these sources:Live Like You Were Dying (song) — Wikipedia ↗Tim McGraw — Wikipedia ↗

Story time

Live Like You Were Dying

Live Like You Were Dying

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

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

Live Like You Were Dying

by Tim McGraw

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Cadd9

Dsus4

Dadd9

F#m

C#7

[Intro]

Cadd9 D

[Verse 1]

G Cadd9

He said I was in my early forties with a lot of life before me

Em D Cadd9

and a moment came that stopped me on a dime

G Cadd9

I spent most of the next days looking at the x-rays

Em Dsus4 Cadd9

talking ‘bout the options and talkin’ ‘bout sweet time

Em B7

I asked him when it sank in if this might really be the real end

G Cadd9

How’s it hit ‘cha when you get that kind of news, man what’cha do?

[Chorus]

I went sky diving

Cadd9

I went rocky mountain climbing

Em Dsus4 Cadd9

I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu

G B7 Em Dsus4

And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter and I gave forgiveness id been

Cadd9

denying

D G

and he said some day I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying

[Verse 2]

G Cadd9

He said I was finally the husband that most the time I wasn’t

Em D Cadd9

And I became a friend a friend would like to have

G Cadd9

And all of a sudden going fishin’ wasn’t such an imposition

Em D Cadd9

And I went three times that year I lost my dad

[Bridge]

Em B7

Well I finally read the Good Book and I took a good long hard look

G Cadd9

at what I'd do if I could do it all again and then…

[Chorus]

I went sky diving

Cadd9

I went rocky mountain climbing

Em Dsus4 Cadd9

I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu

G B7 Em Dsus4 Cadd9

And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter and I gave forgiveness id been denying

D Em

and he said some day I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying

[Bridge]

B7 G Cadd9

Like tomorrow was a gift and you got eternity to think about what you’d do with it?

What could you do with it

What could I do with it

Cadd9

What would I do with it

(Key Change - Whole Step Up)

[Chorus]

I went sky diving

Dadd9

I went rocky mountain climbing

F#m E Dadd9

I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu

A C#7 F#m E Dadd9

And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter and I watched an eagle as it was flying

E A

and he said some day I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying

A D

To live like you were dying

A D

To live like you were dying

A D

To live like you were dying

A D

To live like you were dying

About Live Like You Were Dying Chords by Tim McGraw

Learn how to play Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Live Like You Were Dying chords”, “Live Like You Were Dying guitar chords”, or “Tim McGraw Live Like You Were Dying 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 Live Like You Were Dying chords and for experienced players who want accurate Live Like You Were Dying lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Cadd9, D, G, Em, Dsus4, B7.

FAQ — Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw

How do I play "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw 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 "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw free?

Yes. The chords for "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Live Like You Were Dying" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Live Like You Were Dying" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Live Like You Were Dying"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Live Like You Were Dying" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Live Like You Were Dying" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Tim McGraw below.

What key is "Live Like You Were Dying" in?

The chords for "Live Like You Were Dying" show the original chord names (including Cadd9, D, G, Em, Dsus4, B7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.