Song For Duke
View chords used in this chart
C
I didn’t even know the man
Dm
I didn’t know the man himself
G
Even though his music filled my life
C
As it has so many others
C
I knew that he had died that week
Dm
After fighting death a year or more
G
But I had had a rule before
C
That funerals were a waste of flowers
Am
But something said I had to go
Em
To be a witness to his gift of love
F
A man who never once gave up on life
Dm G
Until death took him in its tracks
C
The people stood around the church
Dm
Ten thousand people there they say or more
G
Black and white and rich and poor
C
Together they were there to say farewell
C
In New York City it had rained that day
Dm
The streets were silver and the sky was gray
G
In the church the music sailed and sang
C
And seemed to fill the air with shining sun
Am
The man was a hero
Em
He played the music of our souls
F
He knew that we all have in us
Dm G
A place where beauty always grows
C
Outside in the streets again
Dm
The people wandered through the falling rain
G
They waved their hands and dried their tears
C
And turned to go about their lives again
C
But none of us will be the same
Dm
If we hear the things his music says
G
That loving is the gift of life
C
And making music was his way of love
Am
The man was a hero
Em
He sang the music of our souls
F
He knew that we all have in us
Dm G
A place where beauty always grows
C
Always grows
How to play Song For Duke
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.