My Back Pages
View chords used in this chart
Afinação: E A D G B ECapotraste: Sem capotraste
[Intro]
E Esus4 E Esus4
E Esus4 E Esus4
[Verse 1]
E C#m G#m
Crimson flames tied through my ears
A B E
Rollin' high and mighty traps
E C#m G#m
Pounced with fire on flaming roads
A B
Using ideas as my maps
C#m G#m
"We'll meet on edges, soon," said I
A B
Proud 'neath heated brow.
E A E
Ah, but I was so much older then,
A B E E
I'm younger than that now.
[Verse 2]
E C#m G#m
Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
A B E
"Rip down all hate," I screamed
E C#m G#m
Lies that life is black and white
A B
Spoke from my skull. I dreamed
C#m G#m
Romantic flanks of musketeers
A B
Foundationed deep, somehow.
E A E
Ah, but I was so much older then,
A B E E
I'm younger than that now.
[Verse 3]
(The next two verses were left out by The Byrds)
E C#m G#m
Girls' faces formed the forward path
A B E
From phony jealousy
C#m G#m
To memorizing politics
A B
Of ancient history
Cm G#m
Flung down by corpse evangelists
A B
Unthought of, though, somehow.
E A E
Ah, but I was so much older then,
A B E E
I'm younger than that now.
[Verse 4]
E C#m G#m
A self-ordained professor's tongue
A B E
Too serious to fool
C#m G#m
Spouted out that liberty
A B
Is just equality in school
C#m G#m
"Equality," I spoke the word
A B
As if a wedding vow.
E A E
Ah, but I was so much older then,
A B E E
I'm younger than that now.
[Verse 5]
(The Byrds pick it up here)
E C#m G#m
In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand
A B E
At the mongrel dogs who teach
C#m G#m
Fearing not that I'd become my enemy
A B
In the instant that I preach
C#m G#m
My existence led by confusion boats
A B
Mutiny from stern to bow.
E A E
Ah, but I was so much older then,
A B E E
I'm younger than that now.
[Interlude:]
E C#m G#m
A B E
C#m G#m
A B
C#m G#m
A B
E A E
Ah, but I was so much older then,
A B E E
I'm younger than that now.
[Verse 6]
E C#m G#m
Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
A B E
Too noble to neglect
C#m G#m
Deceived me into thinking
A B
I had something to protect
C#m G#m
Good and bad, I define these terms
A B
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow.
E A E
Ah, but I was so much older then,
A B E E
I'm younger than that now.
[Outro]
E E A E E A
E A E
How to play My Back Pages
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 E. 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.