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Dont Beat Me Down

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Gordon Lightfoot - Don't Beat Me Down
CAPO: 3rd Fret
         Em  A C
[INTRO:]         (4x)
[VERSE 1:]
              Em                   A
When he was a man, my father would stand 
  C             Em
I never saw him run 
                          A            C
There wasn't anyone could make the man bend 
        Em              D            C           A
And the strength of his will was the tool of his trade 
       Em
And he did his work well 
                               A         C
'Til the powers that be took a liking to him 
         Em         D          C          A
And they traded his body for a cold empty shell
[CHORUS:]
              Em     A  C  Em    A  C
Don't beat me down
              Em     A  C  Em    A  C
Don't beat me down
         Em
I've got something to say
          A           C
Don't you stand in my way 
                  Em     A  C  Em    A  C
And don't beat me down
[VERSE 2:]
             Em                 A
When I was a youth, I found the truth
       C         Em
In the eyes of a friend 
                          A              C
There wasn't anyone could make the light dim 
       Em            D              C          A
And we talked and we rambled and we gambled to win 
        Em
And the learning was good
                               A         C
'Til the powers that be took a liking to him 
         Em           D                C            A
And they traded their fortunes for the sight of his blood
[VERSE 3:]
             Em              A
When I was a child my mother smiled
       C          Em
At the cradle she bought
                       A           C
For the little tot she held to her breast 
        Em            D           C         A
And the song that she sang was an anthem to love 
       Em
It was all that I heard
                               A         C
'Til the powers that be took a liking to me
         Em           D          C           A
And they told me that love was a four-letter word
[CHORUS:]
              Em     A  C  Em    A  C
Don't beat me down
              Em     A  C  Em    A  C
Don't beat me down
         Em
I've got one life to live
           A         C
And that's all I can give
                 Em     A  C  Em    A  C
So don't beat me down
[VERSE 4:]
               Em                        A
Now I've got a place, I've got a worried face
      C           Em
And a question in mind 
                     A          C
Please let me find a reason somehow 
      Em            D             C         A
While some reap the harvest while other men die 
        Em
And the joker runs wild
                             A         C
And if powers that be take a liking to us 
        Em         D           C         A
Then we all must return to the ways of a child 
   Em         D           C         A
We all must return to the ways of a child
[CHORUS:]
                 Em     A  C  Em    A  C
So don't beat me down
              Em     A  C  Em    A  C
Don't beat me down
         Em
I've got something to say
          A           C
Don't you stand in my way 
                  Em     A  C  Em    A  C
And don't beat me down
         Em
I've got one life to live
           A         C
And that's all I can give
                 Em     A  C  Em    A  C
So don't beat me down
              Em     A  C  Em    A  C
Don't beat me down
              Em     A  C  Em    A  C
Don't beat me down

Dont Beat Me Down chords and lyrics

Free chords for Dont Beat Me Down by Gordon Lightfoot. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

Gordon Lightfoot - Don't Beat Me Down
CAPO: 3rd Fret
[INTRO:] Em    A  C  (4x)
[VERSE 1:]
[CHORUS:]
[VERSE 2:]
[VERSE 3:]
[CHORUS:]
[VERSE 4:]
[CHORUS:]

Dont Beat Me Down Chords by Gordon Lightfoot

Learn how to play Dont Beat Me Down by Gordon Lightfoot with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Dont Beat Me Down chords”, “Dont Beat Me Down guitar chords”, or “Gordon Lightfoot Dont Beat Me Down 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 Dont Beat Me Down chords and for experienced players who want accurate Dont Beat Me Down lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, A, C, D.

Frequently asked questions about Dont Beat Me Down

How do I play "Dont Beat Me Down" by Gordon Lightfoot on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Dont Beat Me Down" by Gordon Lightfoot 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 "Dont Beat Me Down" by Gordon Lightfoot free?

Yes. The chords for "Dont Beat Me Down" by Gordon Lightfoot are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Dont Beat Me Down" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Dont Beat Me Down"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Dont Beat Me Down" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Dont Beat Me Down" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Dont Beat Me Down" by Gordon Lightfoot with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Gordon Lightfoot below.

What key is "Dont Beat Me Down" in?

The chords for "Dont Beat Me Down" show the original chord names (including Em, A, C, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.