As If He Knows
View chords used in this chart
A
[Verse 1]
A
It’s as if he knows
D A
he’s standing close to me
D A
his breath warm on my sleeve
E A E
his head hung low.
A
It’s as if he knows
D A
what the dawn will bring
D A
the end of everything
E A
for my old Banjo.
[Chorus]
D A
And all along the picket lines beneath the desert sky,
D
the Light Horsemen move amongst their mates
A E
to say one last goodbye.
D A D
And the horses stand so quietly, row on silent row,
E A D A
it’s as if they know.
[Interlude]
D E A
[Verse 2]
A
Time after time
D A
we rode through shot and shell,
D A
we rode in and out of hell
E A E
on their strong backs.
A
Time after time
D A
they brought us safely through,
D A
by their swift, sure hooves
E A
and their brave hearts.
[Chorus]
D A
Tomorrow we will form up ranks and march down to the quay,
D A E
and sail back to our loved ones in that dear land across the sea.
D
While our loyal and true companions
A D D
who asked so little and gave so much
E A D A
will lie dead in the dust.
[Interlude]
D E A
[Verse 3]
A
For the orders came,
D A
no horses to return,
D A E
we were to abandon them
A
to be slaves.
E A
After all we’d shared,
D A
and all we’d been through
D A
a nation’s gratitude
E A
was a dusty grave.
[Chorus]
D
For we can’t leave them to the people here,
A
we’d rather see them dead,
D
so each man will take his best mate’s horse
A E
with a bullet through the head.
D A D D
For the people here are like their land, wild and cruel and hard,
E A D A
so Banjo, here’s your reward.
[Outro]
A
It’s as if he knows,
D A
he’s standing close to me,
D A
his breath warm on my sleeve,
E A
his head hung low,
E A
as if he knows.
How to play As If He Knows
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is A. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.