Charleys Picture
View chords used in this chart
Intro: C#
C# F# C#
A wino we called Charley had a picture
G#
That he wore around his neck upon a chain
C# F# C#
But you couldn't see the face in Charley's picture
G# C#
Just long brown hair and a poem in the frame
C# F# C#
We tried and tried to see old Charley's picture
G#
But we couldn't even tempt him with the wine
C# F# C#
His shaking hands would tightly grip the picture
G# C#
And he'd recite the poem one more time
C# F# C#
You grace this frame the picture of affection
G#
While I'm the perfect picture of disgrace
C# F# C#
And upon your name I'll swear until I'm worthy
G# C A
I forbid my eyes to look upon your face
Change Key to D, Step UP
D G D
Old Charley froze to death one Sunday morning
A
We found him and I guess you know the rest
D G D
Some-one removed the poem from his picture
A D
And the chilling truth lay framed upon his chest
(Spoken ? Same Chord Progression as above)
As I knelt beside his body the picture
Lay there before my anxious eyes
And with trembling lips I whispered the words of Charley's poem
As I stared into the face of Jesus Christ
D G D
You grace this frame the picture of affection
A
While I'm the perfect picture of disgrace
G D
And upon your name I'll swear until I'm worthy
A D
I forbid my eyes to look upon your face
How to play Charleys Picture
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 C#. 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.