Changing Of The Guards

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[Intro]
Ab
[Verse 1]
Ab Eb/G Fm
Sixteen years,
Ab Eb Fm
Sixteen banners united over the fields
Db Eb
While the good shepherd grieves
Fm Ab Eb
Desperate men, desperate women divided,
Fm Db Eb Ab
Spreading their wings 'neath the falling leaves.
[Verse 2]
Ab Eb/G Fm
Fortune calls.
Ab Eb Fm
I stepped forth from the shadows, to the marketplace,
Db Eb Fm
Merchants and thieves, hungry for power, my last deal gone down.
Ab Eb Fm
She's smelling sweet like the meadows where she was born,
Db Eb Ab
On midsummer's eve, near the tower.
[Interlude]
Ab Eb Db
Ab Eb Db
Ab Eb Db
Ab
[Verse 3]
Ab Eb/G Fm
The cold-blooded moon.
Ab Eb
The captain waits above the celebration
Fm Db Eb
Sending his thoughts to a beloved maid
Fm Ab Eb
Whose ebony face is beyond communication.
Fm Db Eb Ab
The captain is down but still believing that his love will be repaid.
[Verse 4]
Ab Eb Fm
They shaved her head.
Ab Eb
She was torn between Jupiter and Apollo.
Fm Db Eb
A messenger arrived with a black nightingale.
Fm Ab Eb
I seen her on the stairs and I couldn't help but follow,
Fm Db Eb Ab
Follow her down past the fountain where they lifted her veil.
[Interlude]
Ab Eb Db
Ab Eb Db
Ab Eb Db
Ab
[Verse 5]
Ab Eb/G Fm
I stumbled to my feet.
Ab Eb
I rode past destruction in the ditches
Fm Db Eb
With the stitches still mending 'neath a heart-shaped tattoo.
Fm Ab Eb
Renegade priests and treacherous young witches
Fm Db Eb Ab
Were handing out the flowers that I'd given to you.
[Verse 6]
Ab Eb Fm
The palace of mirrors
Ab Eb
Where dog soldiers are reflected,
Fm Db Eb
The endless road and the wailing of chimes,
Fm Ab Eb
The empty rooms where her memory is protected,
Fm Db Eb Ab
Where the angels' voices whisper to the souls of previous times.
[Interlude]
Ab Eb Db
Ab Eb Db
Ab Eb Db
Ab
[Verse 7]
Ab Eb Fm
She wakes him up
Ab Eb
Forty-eight hours later, the sun is breaking
Fm Db Eb
Near broken chains, mountain laurel and rolling rocks.
Fm Ab Eb
She's begging to know what measures he now will be taking
Fm Db Eb Ab
He's pulling her down and she's clutching on to his long golden locks.
[Verse 8]
Ab Eb Fm
Gentlemen, he said,
Ab Eb Fm
I don't need your organization, I've shined your shoes,
Db Eb
I've moved your mountains and marked your cards
Fm Ab Eb
But Eden is burning, either get brave for elimination
Fm Db Eb Ab
Or else your hearts must have the courage for the changing of the guards.
[Interlude]
Ab Eb Db
Ab Eb Db
Ab Eb Db
Ab
[Verse 9]
Ab Eb Fm
Peace will come
Ab Eb Fm
With tranquility and splendor on the wheels of fire
Db Eb Fm
But will offer no reward when her false idols fall
Ab Eb Fm
And cruel death surrenders with its pale ghost retreating
Db Eb Ab
Between the King and the Queen of Swords.
Ending
Fm Ab Eb
Fm...
The "Interlude" (that the sax plays) is:
Ab Eb Db Ab
E -6-8-9-8-8~----6-6~----4-4~--(repeat 3 times)---||-6p4-4---4~--||
B ------------------------------------------------||-------6-----||
G ------------------------------------------------||-------------||
D ------------------------------------------------||-------------||
A ------------------------------------------------||-------------||
E ------------------------------------------------||-------------||
********************************************
p = Pull-off
********************************************

Changing Of The Guards chords and lyrics

Free chords for Changing Of The Guards by Bob Dylan. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

[Intro]
Ab
[Verse 1]
[Verse 2]
[Interlude]
Ab   Eb    Db
Ab   Eb    Db
Ab   Eb    Db
Ab
[Verse 3]
[Verse 4]
[Interlude]
Ab   Eb    Db
Ab   Eb    Db
Ab   Eb    Db
Ab
[Verse 5]
[Verse 6]
[Interlude]
Ab   Eb    Db
Ab   Eb    Db
Ab   Eb    Db
Ab
[Verse 7]
[Verse 8]
[Interlude]
Ab   Eb    Db
Ab   Eb    Db
Ab   Eb    Db
Ab
[Verse 9]
[Ending]
The "Interlude" (that the sax plays) is:
           Ab    Eb      Db                          Ab           
********************************************
p = Pull-off
********************************************

Changing Of The Guards Chords by Bob Dylan

Learn how to play Changing Of The Guards by Bob Dylan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Changing Of The Guards chords”, “Changing Of The Guards guitar chords”, or “Bob Dylan Changing Of The Guards 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 Changing Of The Guards chords and for experienced players who want accurate Changing Of The Guards lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Ab, Eb/G, Fm, Eb, Db, A.

Frequently asked questions about Changing Of The Guards

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What key is "Changing Of The Guards" in?

The chords for "Changing Of The Guards" show the original chord names (including Ab, Eb/G, Fm, Eb, Db, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.