The Black And Bitter Night
View chords used in this chart
Afinação: E A D G B ECapotraste: Sem capotraste
This is based on Sean Cooney (The Young'uns)'s performance as the character Henry Kable.
This is from the 40th anniversary re-recording of the folk opera written by Peter
Bellamy and originally sang
by Mike Waterson.
[Verse 1]
C F C
It is cold, sad, and lonely in this dismal cell;
G
No solace comes up with the day.
C Am Em F C
My heart knows an anguish that no tongue can tell
Am G
Since they’ve taken my true love away
[Chorus]
Am G C Em F G
Oh, the black and bitter night and oh, the weary day
Am Em C F C
My love has been snatched far, far from my sight
Am C G
And the transports will bear her away
[Verse 2]
C F C
When first in this prison so deep was my pain
G
Then she came and she banished dismay
C Am Em F C
But now in despondence I’m drowning again
Am G
For they’ve taken my true love away
Dm G
[Verse 3]
C F C
Though surrounded by horrors yet we found delight,
G
For where love is, no sorrow can stay.
C Am Em F C
But misery and squalor swim back to my sight
Am G
Now they’ve taken my true love away
[Chorus]
Am G C Em F G
Oh, the black and bitter night and oh, the weary day
Am Em C F C
My love has been snatched far, far from my sight
Am C G
And the transports will bear her away
[Verse 4]
C F C
Why, the grasses still grow and the streams still down flow
G
And the blackbird still sings on the spray
C Am Em F C
But in dank, deary dungeons there’s nothing but woe
Am G
Since they’ve taken my true love away
Dm G
[Verse 5]
C F C
But, if I were a seagull, I’d fly to her side,
G
And it’s there that I wish I could stay.
C Am Em F C
But soon the cruel prison ships leave with the tide
Am G
And they’ve bearing my true love away
[Verse 6]
C F C
If I were a herring I’d wait by the slip
G
Though I waited a year and a day.
C Am Em F C
Then through the wide ocean I’d follow the ship
Am G
That is bearing my true love away
[Chorus]
Am G C Em F G
Oh, the black and bitter night and oh, the weary day
Am Em C F C
My love has been snatched far, far from my sight
Am C G
And the transports will bear her away
[Verse 7]
C F C
So lovers, cling fast to each pleasure you find
G
And cherish each moment of play
C Am Em F C
For all you will have is what stays in your mind
Am G
Once they’ve taken my true love away
[Chorus]
Am G C Em F G
Oh, the black and bitter night and oh, the weary day
Am Em C F C
My love has been snatched far, far from my sight
Am C G
And the transports will bear her away
N.C (Acapella)
Oh, the black and bitter night and oh, the weary day
N.C
My love has been snatched far, far from my sight
N.C
And the transports will bear her away
How to play The Black And Bitter Night
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.