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Terrapin Station

Chords

4.7219 votes

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Intro: strum F Dm F Dm F so on, the lick sort of just comes naturally…
GLet my inspiration Dmflow in token Amrhyme, Gsuggesting Frhythm,
FThat will not fCorsake me, till my Ftale is told and CdonCe.F  G  C  Dm7  
GWhile the firelight’s Dmaglow, strange shadows Amfrom the Gflames will
Fgrow,
FTill things we’ve never Cseen will seem Ffamiliar.
Same pattern for the following verses:
GShadows of a sailor, fDmorming winds both fAmoul and faGir all swFarm.
FDown in Carlisle, he lCoved a lady maFny years CagCo.F  G  C  Dm7  
GHere beside him stands a Dmman, a soldier fAmrom the loGoks of hFim,
FWho came through many fiCghts, but lost at lFove.
GWhile the storyteller Dmspeaks, a door wiAmthin the fiGre creFaks;
FSuddenly flies oCpen, and a gFirl is standing theCre.C  F  G  C  Dm7  
GEyes alight, with glowing hDmair, all that faAmncy paiGnts as fFair,
FShe takes her fan and thCrows it, in the liFon’s den.
GWhich of you to gain me, tDmell, will risk unAmcertain paiGns of Fhell?
FI will not forgive yCou if you wiFll not take the chanceC.C  F  G  C  Dm7  
GThe sailor gave at least a tDmry, the soldier bAmeing muGch too wiFse,
FStrategy was his strCength, and not disFaster.
Here’s the solo. Sorry, scratch that. Please, will somebody tab the solo?
GThe sailor, coming out agDmain, the lady faiAmrly leaGpt at Fhim.
FThat’s how it stands tCoday. You deciFde if he was wiCse.C  F  G  C  Dm7  
GThe storyteller makes no chDmoice. Soon you wiAmll not heGar his voFice.
FHis job is to shed ligCht, and not to masFter.
Interlude (thingy) goes F for a while, Cmaj7 for a while, C7, then:
FSince the end is never Dmtold, we C7pay the teller off in Cgold,
FIn hopes he will return, but Dmhe canEnot be bought or sold.
Then:
EInspiAration, move me Dbrightly. ELight the song with Asense and color;
AHold away despair, Emore than Athis I will not Eask.
EFaced with F#mmysteries Adark and DvaC#mst,    Bm  Estatements just seem Avain
at DlaC#mst.Bm  
ASome Bmrise, Asome Bmfall, Asome Bmclimb, to get to Aterrapin.
ECounting Astars by candleElight, all are F#mdim but Aone is DbrC#mightBm;
EThe spiral light of AVenus, rising Dfirst and shining Ebest,
EOn, Afrom the northwest Ecorner, of a F#mbrand new Acrescent DmoC#mon,Bm  
EWhile crickets and Acicadas DsiAngE, a rare and different tune,
ETerrapin BstaAtion.
EIn the shadow Bof the Emoon, terrapin BstaAtion.
AAnd I know we’ll Dbe there Esoon, terrapin…
EI can’t figure out, terrapin, if it’s the end or beginning, terrapin,
EBut the train’s put it’s brakes on, terrapin,
EAnd the whistle is screaming, Dterrapin.

All chords in this song (14)

The story behind the song

"Terrapin Station" is a suite that unfolds a narrative, with lyrics inspired by a spontaneous thought that came to the writer's mind. The song features the only lead vocal from Jerry Garcia on its album, and its expansive sound includes orchestral and choral elements, marking a departure from the band's usual style. It invites the listener into a rich, unfolding story, almost like a musical journey.

AI-written from these sources:Terrapin Part 1 — Wikipedia ↗Grateful Dead — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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

Terrapin Station

by Grateful Dead

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dm7

F#m

C#m

Intro: strum F Dm F Dm F so on, the lick sort of just comes naturally…

G Dm Am G F

Let my inspiration flow in token rhyme, suggesting rhythm,

F C F C C F G C Dm7

That will not forsake me, till my tale is told and done.

G Dm Am G

While the firelight’s aglow, strange shadows from the flames will

grow,

F C F

Till things we’ve never seen will seem familiar.

Same pattern for the following verses:

G Dm Am G F

Shadows of a sailor, forming winds both foul and fair all swarm.

F C F C C F G C Dm7

Down in Carlisle, he loved a lady many years ago.

G Dm Am G F

Here beside him stands a man, a soldier from the looks of him,

F C F

Who came through many fights, but lost at love.

G Dm Am G F

While the storyteller speaks, a door within the fire creaks;

F C F C C F G C Dm7

Suddenly flies open, and a girl is standing there.

G Dm Am G F

Eyes alight, with glowing hair, all that fancy paints as fair,

F C F

She takes her fan and throws it, in the lion’s den.

G Dm Am G F

Which of you to gain me, tell, will risk uncertain pains of hell?

F C F C C F G C Dm7

I will not forgive you if you will not take the chance.

G Dm Am G F

The sailor gave at least a try, the soldier being much too wise,

F C F

Strategy was his strength, and not disaster.

Here’s the solo. Sorry, scratch that. Please, will somebody tab the solo?

G Dm Am G F

The sailor, coming out again, the lady fairly leapt at him.

F C F C C F G C Dm7

That’s how it stands today. You decide if he was wise.

G Dm Am G F

The storyteller makes no choice. Soon you will not hear his voice.

F C F

His job is to shed light, and not to master.

Interlude (thingy) goes F for a while, Cmaj7 for a while, C7, then:

F Dm C7 C

Since the end is never told, we pay the teller off in gold,

F Dm E

In hopes he will return, but he cannot be bought or sold.

Then:

E A D E A

Inspiration, move me brightly. Light the song with sense and color;

A E A E

Hold away despair, more than this I will not ask.

E F#m A D C#m Bm E A

Faced with mysteries dark and vast, statements just seem vain

D C#m Bm

at last.

A Bm A Bm A Bm A

Some rise, some fall, some climb, to get to terrapin.

E A E F#m A D C#m Bm

Counting stars by candlelight, all are dim but one is bright;

E A D E

The spiral light of Venus, rising first and shining best,

E A E F#m A D C#m Bm

On, from the northwest corner, of a brand new crescent moon,

E A D A E

While crickets and cicadas sing, a rare and different tune,

E B A

Terrapin station.

E B E B A

In the shadow of the moon, terrapin station.

A D E

And I know we’ll be there soon, terrapin…

I can’t figure out, terrapin, if it’s the end or beginning, terrapin,

But the train’s put it’s brakes on, terrapin,

E D

And the whistle is screaming, terrapin.

About Terrapin Station Chords by Grateful Dead

Learn how to play Terrapin Station by Grateful Dead with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Terrapin Station chords”, “Terrapin Station guitar chords”, or “Grateful Dead Terrapin Station 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 Terrapin Station chords and for experienced players who want accurate Terrapin Station lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F, Dm, G, Am, C, Dm7.

FAQ — Terrapin Station by Grateful Dead

How do I play "Terrapin Station" by Grateful Dead on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Terrapin Station" by Grateful Dead 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 "Terrapin Station" by Grateful Dead free?

Yes. The chords for "Terrapin Station" by Grateful Dead are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Terrapin Station" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Terrapin Station"?

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

Is "Terrapin Station" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Terrapin Station" in?

The chords for "Terrapin Station" show the original chord names (including F, Dm, G, Am, C, Dm7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.