Dead To The World - Patti Smith

Dead To The World

View chords used in this chart
verse 1
 
C F
Dead to the world my body was sleeping’
 
C F
On my mind was nothin’ at all
 
C F
Come a mist, an air so appealing
 
C F C F
I’m here a whisperin', you summoned, I called
 
verse 2
 
C F
I formed me a presence whose aspect was changing’
 
C F
Oh, he would shift, he would not shift at all
 
C F
We sat for a while, he was very engaging’
 
C F C F
And when he was gone, I was gone on a smile
 
[Refrão] Dm
With a strange way of walking’
 
F
And a strange way of breathing’
 
Dm F
More lives than a cat that led me astray
 
Dm F
All in all, he captured my heart
 
C Dm F C
Dead to the world and I just slipped away
 
verse 3
 
C F
I heard me a music that drew me to dancing’
 
C F
Lo, I turned under his spell
 
C F
I opened my coat but he never came closer
 
C F C F
I bolted the door and whispered, oh well
 
[Refrão] Dm
With a strange way of walking’
 
F
And a strange way of breathing’
 
Dm F
More lives than a cat that led me astray
 
Dm F
All in all, he captured my heart
 
C Dm F C
Dead to the world and just slipped away
 
Instrumental
 
C F x 5
 
verse 4
 
C F
I laid in the rushes, the air was upon me
 
C F
Wondering’, well, I just couldn't discern
 
C F
Will he come back, come back to me?
 
C F C F
Oh, I whispered will you ever return?
 
Verse 5
 
C F
I was feeling’ sensations in no dictionary
 
C F
He was less than a breath of shimmer and smoke
 
C F
The life in his fingers unwound my existence
 
C F C F
Dead to the world alive I awoke
 
[Refrão] Dm
With a strange way of walking’
 
F
And a strange way of breathing’
 
Dm F
Less than a breath of shimmer and smoke
 
Dm F
The life in his fingers unwound my existence
 
C Dm F C
Dead to the world alive I awoke
 
Outro
 
C F
Alive I awoke
G Am
(Alive)
 
C F
Alive I awoke
G Am
(Alive I awoke)
 
C F
Alive
G Am
(I awoke)
 
C F
I awoke
G Am
(I awoke)
 
C F
I awoke
G Am
(Alive)
 
C F
Alive, alive, oh
G Am
(Alive)
 
G Am
(Alive)
C F
Alive, alive, oh
C F
Alive, alive, oh

How to play Dead To The World

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.

More chords by Patti Smith

Advertisement
Advertisement