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Yesterday When I Was Young

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Bminor

90BPM

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[INTRO]
Em F#7 Bm
EmIt seems the love I've knownA7  
Has always been Dthe most destructive kiGnd
EmI guess that's why now
F#7I feel so old
BmBefore my time
[Chorus]
YesteEmrday when I was A7young
the taste of life was Dsweet as rain upon my Gtongue
I teased at life as Emif it were a foolish gF#7ame
the way the evening Bmbreeze may tease a candle flame
[Verse]
The thousand dreams I Emdreamed, the splendid things I A7planned
I always built Dto last on weak and shifting Gsand
I lived by night and Emshunned the naked light of the F#7day
and only now I Bmsee how the years ran away
[Chorus]
YesteEmrday when I was A7young
so many happy Dsongs were waiting to be sGung,
so many wild pleEmasures lay in store for F#7me
and so much pain Bmmy dazzled eyes refused to see
[Verse]
I ran so fast that Emtime and youth at last ran A7out
I never stopped to Dthink what life was all Gabout
and every converEmsation I can now F#7recall
concerned itself with Bmme and nothing else at all
[Instrumental Break]
Em A7 D G Em F#7 Bm
[Chorus]
YesteEmrday the moon was A7blue
and every crazy Dday brought something new to Gdo
I used my magic Emage as if it were a F#7wand
and never saw the wBmaste and emptiness beyond
The game of love I Emplayed with arrogance and A7pride
and every flame I Dlit too quickly quickly Gdied
The friends I made all Emseemed somehow to drift F#7away
and only I am left Bmon stage to end the play
There are so many Emsongs in me that won't be A7sung
I feel the bitter Dtaste of tears upon my Gtongue
The time has come for Emme to pay for yestF#7erday when I was yoBmung

All chords in this song (6)

The story behind the song

This song is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the regrets that can come with looking back. It speaks of a youth spent "teas[ing] at life as if it were a foolish game," where love was taken lightly and "so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see." The lyrics convey a sense of coming to terms with past choices, acknowledging that "the time has come for me to pay for yesterday when I was young." Roy Clark, a beloved and influential figure in country music known for his instrumental skill and role on Hee Haw, brought a profound warmth to this reflective ballad. Playing it feels like a quiet moment of reckoning, a tender look back at the person one once was.

AI-written from these sources:Roy Clark — Wikipedia ↗

Story time

Yesterday When I Was Young

Yesterday When I Was Young

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Yesterday When I Was Young

by Roy Clark

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#7

[INTRO]

Em F#7 Bm

Em A7

It seems the love I've known

D G

Has always been the most destructive kind

I guess that's why now

F#7

I feel so old

Before my time

[Chorus]

Em A7

Yesterday when I was young

D G

the taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue

Em F#7

I teased at life as if it were a foolish game

the way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame

[Verse]

Em A7

The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned

D G

I always built to last on weak and shifting sand

Em F#7

I lived by night and shunned the naked light of the day

and only now I see how the years ran away

[Chorus]

Em A7

Yesterday when I was young

D G

so many happy songs were waiting to be sung,

Em F#7

so many wild pleasures lay in store for me

and so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see

[Verse]

Em A7

I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out

D G

I never stopped to think what life was all about

Em F#7

and every conversation I can now recall

concerned itself with me and nothing else at all

[Instrumental Break]

Em A7 D G Em F#7 Bm

[Chorus]

Em A7

Yesterday the moon was blue

D G

and every crazy day brought something new to do

Em F#7

I used my magic age as if it were a wand

and never saw the waste and emptiness beyond

Em A7

The game of love I played with arrogance and pride

D G

and every flame I lit too quickly quickly died

Em F#7

The friends I made all seemed somehow to drift away

and only I am left on stage to end the play

Em A7

There are so many songs in me that won't be sung

D G

I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue

Em F#7 Bm

The time has come for me to pay for yesterday when I was young

About Yesterday When I Was Young Chords by Roy Clark

Learn how to play Yesterday When I Was Young by Roy Clark with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Yesterday When I Was Young chords”, “Yesterday When I Was Young guitar chords”, or “Roy Clark Yesterday When I Was Young 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 Yesterday When I Was Young chords and for experienced players who want accurate Yesterday When I Was Young lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, F#7, Bm, A7, D, G.

FAQ — Yesterday When I Was Young by Roy Clark

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What key is "Yesterday When I Was Young" in?

The chords for "Yesterday When I Was Young" show the original chord names (including Em, F#7, Bm, A7, D, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.