Lions

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Step 1 / 14Position: 2
1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO open
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lions – Dire Straits
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written by: Mark Knopfler
From: “Dire Straits” (1978)
Tabbed by: maguri
Tuning: Standard
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whatever your strumming pattern, try to integrate the following changes
into your accompaniment
[Bridge]
Em Em9 Em Em9 Em Em9 Gdim7 F#7
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
e|------2---------|------2---------|------2---------|3-------2-------|
B|------3---------|------3---------|------3---------|2-------2-------|
G|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|3-------3-------|
D|------2---------|------2---------|------2---------|2-------2-------|
A|2---------------|2---------------|2---------------|--------4-------|
E|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------(3)------2-------|
(break) (break)
Bm7 F#m7 Bm7 C13(#11)
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
e|2---------------|2---------------|2---------------|----5-----------|
B|3---------------|2---------------|3---------------|----5-----------|
G|2---------------|2---------------|2---------------|----3-----------|
D|4---------------|2---------------|4---------------|----4-----------|
A|2---------------|4---------------|2-------------0-|----3-----------|
E|----------------|2---------------|----------------|2---------------|
(break)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHORDS
E-A-D-G-B-e
Bm7 x-2-4-2-3-2
G9 3-x-0-2-0-1
E9 0-2-x-1-3-2 or 0-7-6-7-7-x
Em9 0-2-2-0-3-2 or 0-2-0-0-0-2
Gdim7 (3)x-2-3-2-3
F#7 2-4-2-3-2-2
F#m7 2-4-2-2-2-2
F#7(#9) x-9-8-9-10-x or x-x-4-3-4-5-5
C13(#11) 8-9-8-9-10-x This C13(#11) chord: maybe the guitars on the
x-3-4-3-5-5 recording don’t even play the C as the root
but the bass plays it. So, if you’re playing
alone, play the C, if you’ve got a bass player
playing along, you can use the F#7(#9) throughout.
I called this chord F#7(#9)/C here because it
wouldn't get highlighted otherwise.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Intro] (faded in)
Bm7D A G9
| | | | |
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
Bm7Bm7Bm7 F#7(#9)
| | | | |
(break)
[Verse 1]
Bm7 D
Red sun, goin' down
A G9
Way over dirty town
Bm7 D
Starlings, they're sweepin' around them ...
A E9
Crazy shoals
Bm7 D
Yes, and a girl is there
A G9
High heelin' out across the square
Bm7 D
Wind it blows around in her hair and ...
A E9
The flags upon the poles
[Bridge]
Em9 Em9
Waitin' in the crowd to cross at the light 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
Em9 Gdim7F#7 Bm7F#m7Bm7 F#7(#9)/C
| | | | |
She looks around to find a face she can like Uh-uh = C13(#11)
(break) (break) (break)
[Verse 2]
Bm7 D
Church bell clingin' on, just a ...
A G9
Tryin' to get a crowd for eve'n song
Bm7 D
Nobody cares to depend upon
A E9
The chime it plays
Bm7 D
They're all in the station prayin' for trains.
A G9
The congregation late again.
Bm7 D
It's gettin' darker all the time
A E9
These flagpole days.
[Bridge]
Em9 Em9
Drunk old soldier, he give her a fright 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
Em9 Gdim7F#7 Bm7F#m7Bm7 F#7(#9)/C
| | | | ) |
He's a crazy lion, he's a howlin' for a fight. Uh huh = C13(#11)
(break) (break) (break)
[Guitar solo]
Bm7D A G9
| | | | |
Bm7D A G9
| | | | |
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
Bm7Bm7Bm7/F#Bm7 F#7(#9)
| | | | |
2-x-4-2-3-x (break)
[Verse 3]
Bm7 D
Strap hangin', gunshot sound
A G9
Doors slamming on the overground
Bm7 D
The starlings are tough
A E9
But the lions are made of stone
Bm7 D
Her evening paper is horror torn
A G9
There's hope for later, Capricorn.
Bm7 D
Lucky stars give her just enough
A E9
To get her home
[Bridge] variation
Em9 Em9
Then she'll read about a swing to the right
Em9 Gdim7F#7 Bm7F#m7
| | |
But she's a-thinkin' 'bout a stranger in the night
(break) (break)
[Outro]
G A
I'm thinkin' 'bout the lions
G A
Thinkin' 'bout the lions
G A/E Bm7F#m7
| | |
What happened to the lions tonight
Bm7F#m7
| | |
Tonight
Bm7F#m7
| | |
Tonight
Bm7 A
| | | % | % | % |
Uh-uh-uh-uh
A
| | % | % | % |
Thinking about the lions
A
| | % | % | % |
(repeat and fade, guitar licks ad lib)

Lions chords and lyrics

Free chords for Lions by Dire Straits. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Lions – Dire Straits
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written by: Mark Knopfler
From: “Dire Straits” (1978)
Tabbed by: maguri
Tuning: Standard
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whatever your strumming pattern, try to integrate the following changes
into your accompaniment
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
C13(#11)  8-9-8-9-10-x    This C13(#11) chord: maybe the guitars on the
          x-3-4-3-5-5     recording don’t even play the C as the root
                          but the bass plays it. So, if you’re playing
                          alone, play the C, if you’ve got a bass player
                          playing along, you can use the F#7(#9) throughout.
                          I called this chord F#7(#9)/C here because it 
                          wouldn't get highlighted otherwise.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Intro] (faded in)
[Verse 1]
[Bridge]
                    (break) (break)                            (break)
[Verse 2]
[Bridge]
                          (break) (break)                        (break)
[Guitar solo]
| Bm7 | D | A | G9 |
[Verse 3]
[Bridge] variation
                             (break) (break)
[Outro]

Lions Chords by Dire Straits

Learn how to play Lions by Dire Straits with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Lions chords”, “Lions guitar chords”, or “Dire Straits Lions 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 Lions chords and for experienced players who want accurate Lions lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, F#7, B, G, D, A.

Frequently asked questions about Lions

How do I play "Lions" by Dire Straits on guitar?

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

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Yes. Tap any chord in "Lions" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Lions" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Lions" in?

The chords for "Lions" show the original chord names (including Em, F#7, B, G, D, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.