Beggars (acoustic)
View chords used in this chart
[Intro: ]Em, C
Em C
All you great men of power, you who boast of your feats
Em C
Politicians and entrepreneurs
Em C
Can you safeguard your breath in the night while you sleep
Em C
Keep your heart beating steady and sure
D Am6
As you lie in your bed, does the thought haunt your head
Em A7
That you’re really, rather small
C B11 Em
If there’s one thing I know in this life: we are beggars all.
(Em) C
All you champions of science and rulers of men,
Em C
Can you summon the sun from its sleep
Em C
Does the earth seek your counsel on how fast to spin
Em C
Can you shut up the gates of the deep
D Am6
Don’t you know that all things hang, as if by a string,
Em A7
O’er the darkness, poised to fall?
C B11 Em
If there’s one thing I know in this life: we are beggars all.
Em C
All you big shots that swagger and stride with conceit,
Em C
Did you devise how your frame would be formed
Em C
If you’d be raised in a palace, or live out in the streets,
Em C
Did you choose the place or the hour you’d be born
D Am6
Tell me what can you claim? Not a thing, not your name
Em A7 C
Tell me if you can recall just one thing,
B11
That’s not a gift in this life
Am
Can you hear what’s been said
B11 Em A7
Can you see now that everything’s grace after all
C B11 Em
If there’s one thing I know in this life: we are beggars all.
How to play Beggars (acoustic)
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 Em. 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.