(Spoken)
The grave that they dug him had flowers
Gathered from the hillsides in bright summer colours
And the brown earth bleached white at the edge of his gravestone…
He's gone
[Intro]
Dm C E7
e|-1p0-----------0-------------------------0-------------------------------0--|
B|------3-----------3--------------0h1--3-----3-------0-----------------3-----|
G|---------2-----------2--------0----------------0h2-----2-----------1--------|
D|------------0--------------2------------------------------------0-----------|
A|------------------------3------------------------------------2--------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------0-----------------|
[Verse 1]
Am G
When the wars of our nation did beckon
C Dm E7
A man barely twenty did answer the calling
Am G Dm E7 A5
Proud of the trust that he placed in our nation. He's gone
Dm Dm E7
But eternity knows him and it knows what we've done
[Verse 2]
Am Dm E7
And the rain fell like pearls on the leaves of the flowers
Am Dm E7
Leaving brown muddy clay where the earth had been dry
Am Am6 Dm E7
And deep in the trench he waited for hours
C Dm E7
As he held to his rifle and prayed not to die
[Verse 3]
Dm Am
But the silence of night was shattered by fire
Dm Am
As guns and grenades blasted sharp through the air
Dm Am
One after another his comrades were slaughtered
C Dm E7
In a morgue of marines, alone standing there
[Verse 4]
F F Am
He crouched ever lower, ever lower in fear
F F Am
They can't let me die, they can't let me die here
F F Am
I'll cover myself with the mud and the earth
F F E7
I'll cover myself, I know I'm not brave!
C Dm E7
The earth, the earth, the earth is my grave
[Solo]
Am7 G
e|--5--5--5--------------5--7-----5--------5--5--3----------------------------|
B|--------------------5-----------------------------------0--1-----0----------|
G|-----------------5-----------------5-----------------0--------0-----0h2-----|
D|--------------5--------------5--------------------0--------2-----0----------|
A|-----------7----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------5-----------------5-----------5-------\3----------------------------|
C
e|--3-----------3--3--5-----3--------------------3--------------0-----0--0----|
B|-----------1--------------------6-----6-----6-----6-----6-------------------|
G|--------0--------------0-----3-----3--3--3-----------3-----3-----0----------|
D|-----2--------------5-----------------0-------------------------------------|
A|--3-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E7
e|--0---------------3-----1-----0--0-------------0-----------------------0----|
B|--1------------1-----------------1----3-----------3-----0-----------0-------|
G|--2---------2--------2-----2-----2-------2-----------2--1--------1----------|
D|--3------3-----------------------3----------3-----------2-----2-------------|
A|--0---0--------------------------0------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------0----------------|
Dm C E7
e|-1p0-----------0-------------------------0-------------------------------0--|
B|------3-----------3--------------0h1--3-----3-------0-----------------3-----|
G|---------2-----------2--------0----------------0h2-----2-----------1--------|
D|------------0--------------2------------------------------------0-----------|
A|------------------------3------------------------------------2--------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------0-----------------|
[Outro]
Am G
The grave that they dug him had flowers
C Dm E7
Gathered from the hillsides in bright summer colours
Am G Dm E7
And the brown earth bleached white at the edge of his gravestone
Am
He's goneThe Grave chords and lyrics
Free chords for The Grave by Don McLean. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.
(Spoken) The grave that they dug him had flowers Gathered from the hillsides in bright summer colours And the brown earth bleached white at the edge of his gravestone… He's gone [Verse 1] [Verse 2] [Verse 3] [Verse 4] [Outro]
The Grave Chords by Don McLean
Learn how to play The Grave by Don McLean with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Grave chords”, “The Grave guitar chords”, or “Don McLean The Grave 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 The Grave chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Grave lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dm, C, E7, B, G, D.
Frequently asked questions about The Grave
How do I play "The Grave" by Don McLean on guitar?
Open the free chords for "The Grave" by Don McLean 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 "The Grave" by Don McLean free?
Yes. The chords for "The Grave" by Don McLean are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.
Can I transpose "The Grave" to a different key?
Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "The Grave" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.
Can I see chord diagrams for "The Grave"?
Yes. Tap any chord in "The Grave" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.
Is "The Grave" easy to play on guitar?
Many players learn "The Grave" by Don McLean with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Don McLean below.
What key is "The Grave" in?
The chords for "The Grave" show the original chord names (including Dm, C, E7, B, G, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.