Now playing

Irene

Chords

4.49 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Aminor

90BPM

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

Chords used:
e|--Dm1---Am0---E7(b9)--1----E70--|
B|--3---1-----0----0--|
G|--2---2-----1----1--|
D|--0---2-----0----0--|
A|--0---0-----2----2--|
E|--------------------|
[Intro]
DmHush, little baby, dAmon't you cry.
E7(b9)Daddy's gonna sing you a lulE7(b9)/Blaby.
                   Dm                               Am(x2)
Everything's gonna be alright.
The E7(b9)Lord's gonna answer your prE7(b9)/Bayer tonight.  (1st time)
The E7(b9)Lord's gonna answer your prE7(b9)/Bayer.          (2nd time)
[Verse 1]
DmLast night you had a dream you was the Amhome-comin' queen,
E7(b9)today you're eighteen, happy biE7(b9)/Brthday, Irene.
Quit Dmschool, you had to drop out to Amraise your little child.
E7(b9)(Doesn't seem to be any one arE7(b9)/Bound.)
You Dmgot to reach up to Amtouch rock bottom.
The E7(b9)powers the be keep yoE7(b9)/Bu down trodden.
DmDaughter of Zion, AmI heard your prayer.
Just E7(b9)cast your cares and plE7(b9)/Bease beware of snakeDms.
They come in Amall shapes and sizes,  E7(b9)tempt you, put scE7(b9)/Bales on your eyelids.
DmDon't waste your sorrows, they Amgive you strength tomorrow.E7(b9)  
Your E7(b9)/Bcavalry's about to come, so Dmkeep your head up, doAmn't you ever let up.
E7(b9)The storm will pass, you be reaE7(b9)/Bdy for the next one.
[Pre-chorus]
AmHey, little girl with the pressures of the world on Your Dmshoulders,
don't E7say that it's over.
AmI heard your prayers, just cast your cares and DmI'll be there,
so E7don't you fear.
AmI say, hey, little girl with the pressures of the world on your Dmshoulders,
don't E7say that it's over.
AmI heard your prayers, just cast your cares and E7I'll be there,
[Verse 2]
DmIrene, I carried you when you was Amtoo weak to walk,
E7(b9)I took to you when you gaE7(b9)/Bve your heart to God.
DmFaithful and true, that's what IAm'll always be to you.
E7(b9)believe in you, believe in ME7(b9)/Be
and these mountains have to Dmmove.
You have dreams as aspAmirations; I knew E7(b9)you before creation,
your E7(b9)/Bfoundation's solid.
DmI will build you a Ampalace, restore your soul,
E7(b9)you'll be up for any chE7(b9)/Ballenge.
many storms are on the Dmway, better sharpen your Amfaith;
count the E7(b9)cost, take up your cross and wE7(b9)/Bear it ev'ryday.
DmRest in me and I will Amgive you strength.
[Bridge]
DmEverything's gonna be Amalright.  (x3)
AmFather, I'm stronger. I say,     (x2)
AmFather, I'm stronger than when I first believed, yeah!
AmFather, I'm stronger. I say,     (x2)
AmFather, I'm stronger than when I first believed, yeah!
Ending
DmEverything's gonna Ambe alright.
The E7(b9)Lord's gonna answer youE7(b9)/Br prayer tonight.

All chords in this song (5)

🎸 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

Irene

by tobyMac

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

E7(b9)

E7(b9)/B

Chords used:

Dm Am E7(b9) E7

e|--1---0-----1----0--|

B|--3---1-----0----0--|

G|--2---2-----1----1--|

D|--0---2-----0----0--|

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

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

[Intro]

Dm Am

Hush, little baby, don't you cry.

E7(b9) E7(b9)/B

Daddy's gonna sing you a lullaby.

Dm Am

(x2)

Everything's gonna be alright.

E7(b9) E7(b9)/B

The Lord's gonna answer your prayer tonight. (1st time)

E7(b9) E7(b9)/B

The Lord's gonna answer your prayer. (2nd time)

[Verse 1]

Dm Am

Last night you had a dream you was the home-comin' queen,

E7(b9) E7(b9)/B

today you're eighteen, happy birthday, Irene.

Dm Am

Quit school, you had to drop out to raise your little child.

E7(b9) E7(b9)/B

(Doesn't seem to be any one around.)

Dm Am

You got to reach up to touch rock bottom.

E7(b9) E7(b9)/B

The powers the be keep you down trodden.

Dm Am

Daughter of Zion, I heard your prayer.

E7(b9) E7(b9)/B Dm

Just cast your cares and please beware of snakes.

Am E7(b9) E7(b9)/B

They come in all shapes and sizes, tempt you, put scales on your eyelids.

Dm Am E7(b9)

Don't waste your sorrows, they give you strength tomorrow.

E7(b9)/B Dm Am

Your cavalry's about to come, so keep your head up, don't you ever let up.

E7(b9) E7(b9)/B

The storm will pass, you be ready for the next one.

[Pre-chorus]

Am Dm

Hey, little girl with the pressures of the world on Your shoulders,

don't say that it's over.

Am Dm

I heard your prayers, just cast your cares and I'll be there,

so don't you fear.

Am Dm

I say, hey, little girl with the pressures of the world on your shoulders,

don't say that it's over.

Am E7

I heard your prayers, just cast your cares and I'll be there,

[Verse 2]

Dm Am

Irene, I carried you when you was too weak to walk,

E7(b9) E7(b9)/B

I took to you when you gave your heart to God.

Dm Am

Faithful and true, that's what I'll always be to you.

E7(b9) E7(b9)/B

believe in you, believe in Me

and these mountains have to move.

Am E7(b9)

You have dreams as aspirations; I knew you before creation,

E7(b9)/B

your foundation's solid.

Dm Am

I will build you a palace, restore your soul,

E7(b9) E7(b9)/B

you'll be up for any challenge.

Dm Am

many storms are on the way, better sharpen your faith;

E7(b9) E7(b9)/B

count the cost, take up your cross and wear it ev'ryday.

Dm Am

Rest in me and I will give you strength.

[Bridge]

Dm Am

Everything's gonna be alright. (x3)

Father, I'm stronger. I say, (x2)

Father, I'm stronger than when I first believed, yeah!

Father, I'm stronger. I say, (x2)

Father, I'm stronger than when I first believed, yeah!

Ending

Dm Am

Everything's gonna be alright.

E7(b9) E7(b9)/B

The Lord's gonna answer your prayer tonight.

About Irene Chords by tobyMac

Learn how to play Irene by tobyMac with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Irene chords”, “Irene guitar chords”, or “tobyMac Irene 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 Irene chords and for experienced players who want accurate Irene lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dm, Am, E7(b9), E7, B, G.

FAQ — Irene by tobyMac

How do I play "Irene" by tobyMac on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Irene" by tobyMac 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 "Irene" by tobyMac free?

Yes. The chords for "Irene" by tobyMac are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Irene" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Irene"?

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

Is "Irene" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Irene" by tobyMac with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by tobyMac below.

What key is "Irene" in?

The chords for "Irene" show the original chord names (including Dm, Am, E7(b9), E7, B, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.