Empire Of The Clouds
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[Chords]
e|--Em0--D/F#-0---D2-----D5-------Dsus2-0-----Am0---G3--Fmaj7-0------F1---C0---E50--D6/9-0---Cmaj7--0--|
B|--0---3---3--3----------3-----1---3---1------1---1---0---0-----0--|
G|--0---2---2--2--or--7---2-----2---0---2------2---0---9---7-----5--|
D|--2---0---0--0------7---0-----2---0---3------3---2---9---7-----5--|
A|--2---x-------------5---------0---2---3------3---3---7---5-----3--|
E|--0---2---------------------------3----------1--------------------|
[Movement 1: 00:00-03:10]
[Intro]
| Em D/F#| Em D Em|
| Em D/F#| Em D|
| Em D/F#| Em D Em|
| Em D/F#| Em D| D| D|
| Em| Em D5 Em| Em D| C| Em| 2x
| Am| G| Em| Fmaj7| 2x
| Em D/F#| Em D Em|
| Em D/F#| Em D|
| Em D/F#| Em D Em|
| Em D/F#| Em D| D| D|
[Verse 1]
To rEmide the storm to an empire of the cloudsD5 Em
To ride the storm, they clDimbed aboard their sCilver ghostEm
EmTo ride the storm to a kingdom that will comeD5 Em
To ride the storm and dDamn the rest oblCivionEm
[Verse 2]
AmRoyalty and dignitaries, brGandy and cigars
Grey lEmady giant of the skies
You hFmaj7old them in your arms
The mAmillionth chance they laughed
To take dGown his majesty's craft
To EmIndia they say magic carpet flFmaj7oat away
An OctFmaj7ober fateful day
[Movement 2: 03:10-06:58]
[Instrumental]
| Em| Em| Dsus2 Csus2| Em| (x2)
[Verse 3]
Mist is in the trEmees
EmStone sweats with the dew
The morning sDsus2unrise, rCsus2ed before the blEmue
Hanging at the mEmast, waiting for command
His Majesty's Dsus2airship, the Csus2R10----Em1
[Verse 4]
She's the bAmiggest vessel built by man
A gGiant of the skies
For Emall you unbelievers, the TiFmaj7tanic fits inside
DAmrum roll tight her canvas skin, sGilvered in the sun
Never tEmested with the fury, with the Fmaj7beating yet to come
The fFmaj7ury yet to come
[Verse 5]
In the gathering gE5loom
The storm E5rising in the wesD6/9tE5
The coxswain sE5tared
InD6/9to the plunging Cmaj7weather glassE5
[Verse 6]
E5We must go now
We must E5take our chancD6/9e with E5fate
E5We must go now
For a pD6/9olitician, he Cmaj7can't be latE5e
[Verse 7]
The aAmirship crew awake for thirty hGours at full stretch
But the shEmip is in their backbone
Every sFmaj7inew, every inch
She nAmever flew at full speed, a trGial never done
Her fEmragile outer cover her AcFmaj7hilles would become
An AFmaj7chilles yet to come
[Verse 8]
Sailors of the skE5y,D6/9 E5
A hardened breedD6/9 E5
Loyal to the kD6/9ing and an Cmaj7airship crE5eed
The engines drumD6/9 E5
The telegraph soundsD6/9 E5
Release the cD6/9ords that bCmaj7ind us to the grE5ound
[Verse 9]
Said the cAmoxswain
"Sir, she's heavy, she'll nGever make this flight"
Said the cEmaptain
"Damn the cargo, we'll be Fmaj7on our way tonight"
GAmroundlings cheered in wonder
As she bGacked off from the mast
BaptEmizing them her water from the bFmaj7allast fore and aft
Now she sFmaj7lips into our past
[Movement 3: 06:58-15:12]
[Instrumental Interlude]
| Em D/F#| Em D Em|
| Em D/F#| Em D|
| Em D/F#| Em D Em|
| Em D/F#| Em D| D|
| E5| E5| C5| B5| A5| G5|
| G| G| Em| Em| C| C| G| G| 2x
| G| G| Am| Bm| C| D| Em| Em|
| E5| E5|
| Am| C| Em| C| 3x
| Am| C| Em| Em|
| Em| Em| Em| Em C| Em| Em| C| Am|
| D| C| Em| Em| Em| Em|
| Em| C| Am| C| 2x
| D| C| Em| Em| Em| Em|
| Em| C| Am| C| 4x
| Em| C| Am| C D| 2x
| Em| Em| C| Am| 2x
| D| C| Em| Em| Em| Em|
| Em| C| Am| C| 2x
| D| C| Em| Em| C| Am|
| Am| F| Dm| F| 6x
[Verse 10]
FEmighting the wind as it rolls you
FCeeling the diesels that push you along
WAmatching the channel below you
LCower and lower Dinto the night
LEmights are passing below you
NCorthern France asleep in their beds
StAmorm is raging around you
A mCillion to one, thDat's what he said
[Instrumental Break]
| Em| Em| D| D| C| C| Em| Em| 2x
[Verse 11]
REmeaper standing beside her
WCith his scythe cuts to the bone
PAmanic to make a decision
ExpCerienced men aslDeep in their graves
Her cEmover is ripped and she's drowning
RCain is flooding into the hull
BlAmeeding to death and she's falling
LCifting gas is drDaining away
[Instrumental Break]
| Em| Em| D| D| C| C| Em| Em|
| F| Em| F| Dsus2| F| Em| F| Csus2 Dsus2|
| F| F| F| F|
[Movement 4: 15:12-18:02]
[Verse 12]
"We're dAmown lads" came the cry
Bow plGunging from the sky
Three thEmousand horses silent as the shFmaj7ip began to die
The flAmares to guide her path, ignGited at the last
The Emempire of the clouds
Just Fmaj7ashes in our past, just ashes at the last
[Instrumental]
| Em D/F#| Em D Em| Em D/F#| Em D| 2x
[Verse 13]
HE5ere lie their drD6/9eams as I stCmaj7and in the sD6/9un
On the grE5ound where they bD6/9uilt and the Cmaj7engines did rD6/9un
To the mE5oon and the stD6/9ars
Now whCmaj7at have we dD6/9one?
Oh, the drE5eamers may dD6/9ie, but the drCmaj7eams live D6/9onEm D/F# Em D
DrEmeams live onD/F# Em D
Dreams livEme onD/F# Em D Em D/F# Em D
[Instrumental Break]
| Em| Em| Dsus2 C| Em|
[Verse 14]
Now a shadow on a hEmill, the angel of the east
The empire of the Dsus2clouds may rCsus2est in pEmeace
And in a country chEmurchyard laid head to the mast
Eight and forty sDsus2ouls who cCsus2ame to die in FrEmance
Ending
| Dsus2 Csus2| Em|
All chords in this song (20)
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Empire Of The Clouds
by Iron Maiden
Chords in this song · guitar
Em
D/F#
D
D5
Dsus2
Am
G
Fmaj7
F
C
E5
D6/9
Cmaj7
Csus2
C5
B5
A5
G5
Bm
Dm
[Chords]
Em D/F# D D5 Dsus2 Am G Fmaj7 F C E5 D6/9 Cmaj7
e|--0---0---2-------------0-----0---3---0------1---0---0---0-----0--|
B|--0---3---3--3----------3-----1---3---1------1---1---0---0-----0--|
G|--0---2---2--2--or--7---2-----2---0---2------2---0---9---7-----5--|
D|--2---0---0--0------7---0-----2---0---3------3---2---9---7-----5--|
A|--2---x-------------5---------0---2---3------3---3---7---5-----3--|
E|--0---2---------------------------3----------1--------------------|
[Movement 1: 00:00-03:10]
[Intro]
Em D/F# Em D Em
| | |
Em D/F# Em D
| | |
Em D/F# Em D Em
| | |
Em D/F# Em D D D
| | | | |
Em Em D5 Em Em D C Em
| | | | | | 2x
Am G Em Fmaj7
| | | | | 2x
Em D/F# Em D Em
| | |
Em D/F# Em D
| | |
Em D/F# Em D Em
| | |
Em D/F# Em D D D
| | | | |
[Verse 1]
Em D5 Em
To ride the storm to an empire of the clouds
D C Em
To ride the storm, they climbed aboard their silver ghost
Em D5 Em
To ride the storm to a kingdom that will come
D C Em
To ride the storm and damn the rest oblivion
[Verse 2]
Am G
Royalty and dignitaries, brandy and cigars
Em
Grey lady giant of the skies
Fmaj7
You hold them in your arms
Am
The millionth chance they laughed
G
To take down his majesty's craft
Em Fmaj7
To India they say magic carpet float away
Fmaj7
An October fateful day
[Movement 2: 03:10-06:58]
[Instrumental]
Em Em Dsus2 Csus2 Em
| | | | | (x2)
[Verse 3]
Em
Mist is in the trees
Em
Stone sweats with the dew
Dsus2 Csus2 Em
The morning sunrise, red before the blue
Em
Hanging at the mast, waiting for command
Dsus2 Csus2 Em
His Majesty's airship, the R10----1
[Verse 4]
Am
She's the biggest vessel built by man
G
A giant of the skies
Em Fmaj7
For all you unbelievers, the Titanic fits inside
Am G
Drum roll tight her canvas skin, silvered in the sun
Em Fmaj7
Never tested with the fury, with the beating yet to come
Fmaj7
The fury yet to come
[Verse 5]
E5
In the gathering gloom
E5 D6/9 E5
The storm rising in the west
E5
The coxswain stared
D6/9 Cmaj7 E5
Into the plunging weather glass
[Verse 6]
E5
We must go now
E5 D6/9 E5
We must take our chance with fate
E5
We must go now
D6/9 Cmaj7 E5
For a politician, he can't be late
[Verse 7]
Am G
The airship crew awake for thirty hours at full stretch
Em
But the ship is in their backbone
Fmaj7
Every sinew, every inch
Am G
She never flew at full speed, a trial never done
Em Fmaj7
Her fragile outer cover her Achilles would become
Fmaj7
An Achilles yet to come
[Verse 8]
E5 D6/9 E5
Sailors of the sky,
D6/9 E5
A hardened breed
D6/9 Cmaj7 E5
Loyal to the king and an airship creed
D6/9 E5
The engines drum
D6/9 E5
The telegraph sounds
D6/9 Cmaj7 E5
Release the cords that bind us to the ground
[Verse 9]
Am
Said the coxswain
G
"Sir, she's heavy, she'll never make this flight"
Em
Said the captain
Fmaj7
"Damn the cargo, we'll be on our way tonight"
Am
Groundlings cheered in wonder
G
As she backed off from the mast
Em Fmaj7
Baptizing them her water from the ballast fore and aft
Fmaj7
Now she slips into our past
[Movement 3: 06:58-15:12]
[Instrumental Interlude]
Em D/F# Em D Em
| | |
Em D/F# Em D
| | |
Em D/F# Em D Em
| | |
Em D/F# Em D D
| | | |
E5 E5 C5 B5 A5 G5
| | | | | | |
G G Em Em C C G G
| | | | | | | | | 2x
G G Am Bm C D Em Em
| | | | | | | | |
E5 E5
| | |
Am C Em C
| | | | | 3x
Am C Em Em
| | | | |
Em Em Em Em C Em Em C Am
| | | | | | | | |
D C Em Em Em Em
| | | | | | |
Em C Am C
| | | | | 2x
D C Em Em Em Em
| | | | | | |
Em C Am C
| | | | | 4x
Em C Am C D
| | | | | 2x
Em Em C Am
| | | | | 2x
D C Em Em Em Em
| | | | | | |
Em C Am C
| | | | | 2x
D C Em Em C Am
| | | | | | |
Am F Dm F
| | | | | 6x
[Verse 10]
Em
Fighting the wind as it rolls you
C
Feeling the diesels that push you along
Am
Watching the channel below you
C D
Lower and lower into the night
Em
Lights are passing below you
C
Northern France asleep in their beds
Am
Storm is raging around you
C D
A million to one, that's what he said
[Instrumental Break]
Em Em D D C C Em Em
| | | | | | | | | 2x
[Verse 11]
Em
Reaper standing beside her
C
With his scythe cuts to the bone
Am
Panic to make a decision
C D
Experienced men asleep in their graves
Em
Her cover is ripped and she's drowning
C
Rain is flooding into the hull
Am
Bleeding to death and she's falling
C D
Lifting gas is draining away
[Instrumental Break]
Em Em D D C C Em Em
| | | | | | | | |
F Em F Dsus2 F Em F Csus2 Dsus2
| | | | | | | | |
F F F F
| | | | |
[Movement 4: 15:12-18:02]
[Verse 12]
Am
"We're down lads" came the cry
G
Bow plunging from the sky
Em Fmaj7
Three thousand horses silent as the ship began to die
Am G
The flares to guide her path, ignited at the last
Em
The empire of the clouds
Fmaj7
Just ashes in our past, just ashes at the last
[Instrumental]
Em D/F# Em D Em Em D/F# Em D
| | | | | 2x
[Verse 13]
E5 D6/9 Cmaj7 D6/9
Here lie their dreams as I stand in the sun
E5 D6/9 Cmaj7 D6/9
On the ground where they built and the engines did run
E5 D6/9
To the moon and the stars
Cmaj7 D6/9
Now what have we done?
E5 D6/9 Cmaj7 D6/9 Em D/F# Em D
Oh, the dreamers may die, but the dreams live on
Em D/F# Em D
Dreams live on
Em D/F# Em D Em D/F# Em D
Dreams live on
[Instrumental Break]
Em Em Dsus2 C Em
| | | | |
[Verse 14]
Em
Now a shadow on a hill, the angel of the east
Dsus2 Csus2 Em
The empire of the clouds may rest in peace
Em
And in a country churchyard laid head to the mast
Dsus2 Csus2 Em
Eight and forty souls who came to die in France
Ending
Dsus2 Csus2 Em
| | |
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About Empire Of The Clouds Chords by Iron Maiden
Learn how to play Empire Of The Clouds by Iron Maiden with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Empire Of The Clouds chords”, “Empire Of The Clouds guitar chords”, or “Iron Maiden Empire Of The Clouds 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 Empire Of The Clouds chords and for experienced players who want accurate Empire Of The Clouds lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, D/F#, D, D5, Dsus2, Am.
FAQ — Empire Of The Clouds by Iron Maiden
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The chords for "Empire Of The Clouds" show the original chord names (including Em, D/F#, D, D5, Dsus2, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.