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A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall – Bob Dylan
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Written by: Bob Dylan
From: "The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan" (1963)
Tabbed by: maguri
Tuning: Drop-D (D-A-D-G-B-e) + capo 2nd (= E-B-E-A-C#-f#) /
Standard (E-A-D-G-B-e)
or Standard with partial capo on strings 1-5 (E-B-E-A-C#-f#)
capo: 2nd fret
key: E
For chords in original key transpose these chords +2 to E.
These are the chords played on the studio version from “Freewheelin’”.
The key is E, but here I suggest using a Drop-D tuning with a capo 2nd fret.
Drop D is easy to do: Just tune down the 6th string (low E) down two steps
to D and leave the other strings as they are.
Tip: Partial capo
If you want that low root note on the D chord, like the one heard in Dylan’s
recording (which actually sounds as an E due to the capo), but without switching
to Drop D tuning:
Place a capo on the 2nd fret — but only on strings 1 through 5, leaving the
low E string open. Now, when you play a standard D voicing (0-0-0-2-3-2), you’ll
also get that low E root note. All other chord shapes can be played as usual.
To pull off this trick, you’ll need a capo that allows partial coverage —
meaning it only presses down on selected strings. Not all capos support this
setup. For example, a Shubb capo is perfect for this, as it allows selective
string clamping. On the other hand, traditional full-capos (like those that
clamp all six strings) won't allow you to isolate specific strings. There are,
however, many different kinds of partial capos available, allowing you to
experiment and unlock new sounds.
What makes Dylan's usage of Drop D tuning interesting is the continuous drone
in the verses. I made a quick demo recording, so you can hear what this
tab sounds like: https://soundcloud.com/maguri/a-hard-rains-a-gonna-fall
For novice players:
(1) Use Standard Tuning with the voicings suggested below.
(2) Additionally one could just leave out the notes after the slashes - instead
of G/D play a regular G shape, instead of A/D play a regular A. You can use
the "Simplify" button at the bottom of the screen to make the slash chords
disappear from the chord sheet.
Verse 4: Dylan actually sings "what did you meet" in the first line.
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CHORDS
with partial capo (strings 1-5)
Tuning Drop D Standard Standard
D-A-D-G-B-e E-A-D-G-B-e E-A-D-G-B-e
D 0-0-0-2-3-2 x-x-0-2-3-2 0-0-0-2-3-2
A 2-0-2-2-2(0) x-0-2-2-2-0 x-0-2-2-2-0
G (0)2-0-0-3-3 3-x-0-0-0-3 3-x-0-0-0-3
G/D 0-0-0-4-3-3 (actually: Gadd2/D) x-x-0-0-0-3 x-x-0-0-0-3
A/D 0-0-0-6-5-5 (actually: Aadd4/D) x-x-0-2-2-0 x-x-0-2-2-0
D* 0-0-0-7-7-5 x-x-0-7-7-5 x-x-0-7-7-5
D* - this voicing is used fleetingly in the last bar (before the final chord)
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[Intro]
D G/DD
| | % | | |
D
| | % | % |
[Verse 1]
D G/D D
Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?
D A
And where have you been, my darling young one?
G/D A/D D
I’ve stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
G/D A/D D
I’ve walked and I’ve crawled on six crooked highways
G/D A/D D
I’ve stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
G/D A/D D
I’ve been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
G/D A/D D
I’ve been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
D A D G
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
D A D
[ ]
It’s a hard rai---n’s a-gonna fall
[Interlude]
D G D
| | % | | | % | % | % |
[Verse 2]
D G D
Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?
D A
And what did you see, my darling young one?
G/D A/D D
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
G/D A/D D
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
G/D A/D D
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin’
G/D A/D D
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin’
G/D A/D D
I saw a white ladder all covered with water
G/D A/D D
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
G/D A/D D
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
D A D G
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, and it’s a hard
D A D
[ ]
And it’s a hard rai---n’s a-gonna fall
[Interlude]
D G D
| | % | | | % | % | % |
[Verse 3]
D G D
And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
D A
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
G/D A/D D
I heard the sound of a thunder that roared out a warnin’
G/D A/D D
I heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
G/D A/D D
I heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin’
G/D A/D D
I heard ten thousand whisperin’ and nobody listenin’
G/D A/D D
I heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin’
G/D A/D D
I heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
G/D A/D D
I heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
D A D G
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
D A D
[ ]
It’s a hard rai---n’s a-gonna fall
[Interlude]
D G D
| | % | | | % | % | % |
[Verse 4]
D G D
Oh, who did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
D A
Who did you meet, my darling young one?
G/D A/D D
I met a young child beside a dead pony
G/D A/D D
I met a white man who walked a black dog
G/D A/D D
I met a young woman, her body was burning
G/D A/D D
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
G/D A/D D
I met one man who was wounded in love
G/D A/D D
I met another man who was wounded in hatred
D A D G
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
D A D
[ ]
It’s a hard rai---n’s a-gonna fall
[Interlude]
D G D
| | % | | | % | % | % | % | % |
[Verse 5]
D G D G D
| | | | % |
And, what’ll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
D A
And, what’ll you do now, my darling young one?
G/D A/D D
I’m a-goin’ back out ’fore the rain starts a-fallin’
G/D A/D D
I’ll walk to the depths of the deepest dark forest
G/D A/D D
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
G/D A/D D
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
G/D A/D D
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
G/D A/D D
And the executioner’s face is always well hidden
G/D A/D D
Where hunger is ugly, where the souls are forgotten
G/D A/D D
Where black is the color, where none is the number
G/D A/D D
And I’ll tell it and speak it and think it and breathe it
G/D A/D D
And reflect from the mountain so all souls can see it
G/D A/D D
Then I’ll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin’
G/D A/D D
But I’ll know my song well before I start singin’
D A D G
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, and it’s a hard
D A D
[ ]
It’s a hard rai---n’s a-gonna fall
[Coda]
D G D D D
| | % | | | % | * |
(timing becomes fuzzy here)
A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall chords and lyrics
Free chords for A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall by Bob Dylan. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall – Bob Dylan
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written by: Bob Dylan
From: "The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan" (1963)
Tabbed by: maguri
Tuning: Drop-D (D-A-D-G-B-e) + capo 2nd (= E-B-E-A-C#-f#) /
Standard (E-A-D-G-B-e)
or Standard with partial capo on strings 1-5 (E-B-E-A-C#-f#)
capo: 2nd fret
key: E
For chords in original key transpose these chords +2 to E.
These are the chords played on the studio version from “Freewheelin’”.
The key is E, but here I suggest using a Drop-D tuning with a capo 2nd fret.
Drop D is easy to do: Just tune down the 6th string (low E) down two steps
to D and leave the other strings as they are.
Tip: Partial capo
If you want that low root note on the D chord, like the one heard in Dylan’s
recording (which actually sounds as an E due to the capo), but without switching
to Drop D tuning:
Place a capo on the 2nd fret — but only on strings 1 through 5, leaving the
low E string open. Now, when you play a standard D voicing (0-0-0-2-3-2), you’ll
also get that low E root note. All other chord shapes can be played as usual.
To pull off this trick, you’ll need a capo that allows partial coverage —
meaning it only presses down on selected strings. Not all capos support this
setup. For example, a Shubb capo is perfect for this, as it allows selective
string clamping. On the other hand, traditional full-capos (like those that
clamp all six strings) won't allow you to isolate specific strings. There are,
however, many different kinds of partial capos available, allowing you to
experiment and unlock new sounds.
What makes Dylan's usage of Drop D tuning interesting is the continuous drone
in the verses. I made a quick demo recording, so you can hear what this
tab sounds like: https://soundcloud.com/maguri/a-hard-rains-a-gonna-fall
For novice players:
(1) Use Standard Tuning with the voicings suggested below.
(2) Additionally one could just leave out the notes after the slashes - instead
of G/D play a regular G shape, instead of A/D play a regular A. You can use
the "Simplify" button at the bottom of the screen to make the slash chords
disappear from the chord sheet.
Verse 4: Dylan actually sings "what did you meet" in the first line.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
D* - this voicing is used fleetingly in the last bar (before the final chord)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Intro]
| D | % | G/D | D |
| D | % | % |
[Verse 1]
[Interlude]A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall Chords by Bob Dylan
Learn how to play A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall by Bob Dylan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall chords”, “A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall guitar chords”, or “Bob Dylan A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall 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 A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall chords and for experienced players who want accurate A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, D, G, B, E, C.
Frequently asked questions about A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall
How do I play "A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall" by Bob Dylan on guitar?
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Can I transpose "A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall" to a different key?
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Can I see chord diagrams for "A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall"?
Yes. Tap any chord in "A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.
Is "A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall" easy to play on guitar?
Many players learn "A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall" by Bob Dylan with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bob Dylan below.
What key is "A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall" in?
The chords for "A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall" show the original chord names (including A, D, G, B, E, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.