All I Could Do Was Cry

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"All I Could Do Was Cry"
Etta James
At Last (1960)
The chord progression here is relatively simple, although effective. What
really makes this song stand out is the wrenching delivery that James throws
behind it, and the power with which she spits even just that second "rice"
makes it clear that she is not a woman to be trifled with. Although this
song can be played with a capo on the first fret (and probably should be if
you plan on using the delicate arpeggiation of the original) it sounds great
with a single guitar belting out simple barre chords and a singer with a
voice big enough to do it justice.
[Intro]
G# C# D# G#
[Verse]
G# C# D# G#
I heard church bells ring
C# D# G#
I heard a choir singing
C# D# G# Fm
I saw my love walk down the aisle
C# D# G#
on her finger he placed a ring
(N.C.)
Whoahhhh whoah..
C# D# G#
I saw them holding hands
C# D# G
She was standing there with my man
C# D# G# Fm
I heard them promise, "'Til death do us part"
C# D# G#
Each word Was a pain in my heart
[Chorus]
C# D# G#
All I could do was cry
All I could do was cry
C# D# G# Fm
I was losing the man that I love
C# D# G#
and all I could do was cry
[Verse]
C# D# G#
And now the wedding is over
C# D# G#
Rice, rice has been thrown over their heads
C# D# G# Fm
For them life has just begun
C# D# G#
but mine is at an end
Ohh oh...
[Chorus]
C# D# G#
All I could do was cry
All I could do was cry
C# D# G# Fm
I was losing the man that I love
C# D# G#
and all I could do was cry

All I Could Do Was Cry chords and lyrics

Free chords for All I Could Do Was Cry by Etta James. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

"All I Could Do Was Cry"
Etta James
At Last (1960)
The chord progression here is relatively simple, although effective.  What
really makes this song stand out is the wrenching delivery that James throws 
behind it, and the power with which she spits even just that second "rice" 
makes it clear that she is not a woman to be trifled with.  Although this 
song can be played with a capo on the first fret (and probably should be if 
you plan on using the delicate arpeggiation of the original) it sounds great 
with a single guitar belting out simple barre chords and a singer with a 
voice big enough to do it justice.
[Intro]
G# C# D# G#
[Verse]
(N.C.)
Whoahhhh whoah..
[Chorus]
All I could do was cry
[Verse]
Ohh oh... 
[Chorus]
All I could do was cry

All I Could Do Was Cry Chords by Etta James

Learn how to play All I Could Do Was Cry by Etta James with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “All I Could Do Was Cry chords”, “All I Could Do Was Cry guitar chords”, or “Etta James All I Could Do Was Cry 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 All I Could Do Was Cry chords and for experienced players who want accurate All I Could Do Was Cry lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G#, C#, D#, Fm, C, G.

Frequently asked questions about All I Could Do Was Cry

How do I play "All I Could Do Was Cry" by Etta James on guitar?

Open the free chords for "All I Could Do Was Cry" by Etta James 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 "All I Could Do Was Cry" by Etta James free?

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Can I transpose "All I Could Do Was Cry" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "All I Could Do Was Cry" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "All I Could Do Was Cry"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "All I Could Do Was Cry" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "All I Could Do Was Cry" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "All I Could Do Was Cry" by Etta James with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Etta James below.

What key is "All I Could Do Was Cry" in?

The chords for "All I Could Do Was Cry" show the original chord names (including G#, C#, D#, Fm, C, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.

All I Could Do Was Cry Chords · Etta James