Small Man
View chords used in this chart
E|-------------------------------------------| X2
[Verse 1]
C F
First time I ever saw my grandpa
C G
Was a trip way up north to Michigan
C F
He lived on the rocky shores of a Great Lake
C G C
But to me, it just looked like the ocean
C F
We called him grandpa, then his last name
C G
A formality to keep him pushed away
C F
So when he said, "You can just call me grandad"
C G C
This little boy didn't know what to say
[Chorus]
F
Married seven times
C
Twice to my grandma
G
Sent us meat and cheese for Christmas
Am
But hardly ever called
F
Never took me fishing
C
No wise words of advice
G
A small man on a big lake
F
Covered over with ice
e|-------------------------------------------|
B|-----8--6--5--3--1-------------------------|
G|--------------------0h2-2-2--0h2--0h2------|
D|-------------------------------------------|
A|--3----------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------| X1
[Verse 2]
C F
The second time I ever saw my grandpa
C G
He picked me up in his big blue Ford
C F
'Said, "This town's got it all backwards
C G C
There's more churches than liquor stores"
C F
Turns out, that's the last time I would see him
C G
A handshake, not a hug, to say goodbye
C F
He didn't make the trip for my wedding
C G C
And he never looked my boys in the eye
[Chorus]
F
He flew planes in the war
C
At least that's what he said
G
Couldn't really trust him
Am
According to my dad
F
Never told him that I loved him
C
It never felt quite right
G
The small man on a big lake
F
Covered over with ice
e|-------------------------------------------|
B|-----8--6--5--3--1-------------------------|
G|--------------------0h2-2-2--0h2--0h2------|
D|-------------------------------------------|
A|--3----------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------| X1
[Verse 3]
C F
They found him in a ditch on the roadside
C G
His frail body frozen in the snow
C F
My dad went alone to the funeral
C G C
He said, "Son, there's no need for you to go"
[Chorus]
F
Married seven times
C
Twice to my grandma
G
Sent us meat and cheese for Christmas
Am
But hardly ever called
F
Can't say I ever knew him
C
But can't say I ever tried
G
The small man on a big lake
F
Covered over with ice
e|-------------------------------------------|
B|-----8--6--5--3--1-------------------------|
G|--------------------0h2-2-2--0h2--0h2------|
D|-------------------------------------------|
A|--3----------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------| X1
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| h Hammer-on
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How to play Small Man
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.