The Ballad Of St Annes Reel
View chords used in this chart
Intro
D
[Verso 1]
D G D
He was stranded in some tiny town on fair Prince Edward Island
A
Waiting for a ship to come and find him
G A D G
A one horse place, a friendly face, some coffee, and a tiny trace
D A D
Of fiddling in the distance far behind him.
[Verso 2]
D G D
And a dime across the counter then, a shy hello, a brand new friend
A
A walk along the street in the wintry weather
G A D G
A yellow light, an open door, and a welcome friend there's room for more
D A D
And then they're standing there inside together.
[Refrão]
A G D
He said I've heard that tune before somewhere but I can't remember when
A G Bm
Was it on some other friendly shore, did I hear it in the wind
D A G D
Was it written on the sky above, I think I heard it from someone I love
G A D
But I never heard it sound so sweet since then.
Reel
D D Em D
D D G A D
D Em A D
D Em A D
[Verso 3]
D G D
And now his feet begin to tap and a little boy says I'll take your hat
A
And he's caught up in the magic of her smile
G A D G
And leaped the heart within him went when off across the floor he sent
D A D
His clumsy body graceful as a child.
[Refrão]
A G D
He said there's magic in the fiddlers arm, there's magic in this town
A G Bm
There's magic in the dancers' feet and the way they put them down
D A G D
People smiling everywhere, boots and fiddles, locks of hair,
G A D
And laughter oh blue suits and Easter gowns.
Reel
D D Em D
D D G A D
D Em A D
D Em A D
[Verso 4]
D G D
The sailor's gone, the room is bare, the old piano's sitting there
A
Someone's hat's left hanging on the rack
G A D G
The empty chairs, the wooden floor that feels the touch of shoes no more
D A D
A-waiting for the dancers to come back.
[Refrão]
A G D
And the fiddle's in the closet of some daughter of the town
A G Bm
The strings are broke, the bow is gone, and the cover’s buttoned down
D A G D
But sometimes on December nights when the air is cold and the wind is right
G A D
There's a melody that passes through the town.
Reel
D D Em D
D D G A D x2
D Em A D
D Em A D x2
How to play The Ballad Of St Annes Reel
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 D. 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.