The Broken Tongue
View chords used in this chart
Intro
E
[Verso 1]
E D E
Now you who gather joyfully beneath the festive lights
Dm E
And warm each other soulfully with all of your delight
D E
Take not too much comfort in this song
E D
Eor what you choose to elevate from what was cast below
Dm E
Is but the tidal whimsy of the seas you do not know
D E
& may well turn asunder before long
[Refrão]
Am E
A beauteous sound, a diamond I have found
Dm E
A diamond I have found beneath the snow
Am E
Buried in the ground, 'neath a ruddy mound
Dm E
'Neath a ruddy mound where nothing grows
E D E
The guests are almost ready for the dancing to begin
Dm E
They've come to toast the wedding between Zion & Berlin
Dm E
So raise a glass up to the bride & groom
E D E
But don't confuse the Deutsch & Yiddish, nor the night & day
Dm E
& if a Kaddish sounds like Kiddush, bow your head & pray
Dm E
We never step upon the glass too soon
Am E
A shayn gesang, an oytser far a klang
Dm E
An oytser far a klang, vi fun a khupe
Am E Dm E
Tsespaltn fun a shverd, bagrobn tif in drerd unter der kupe
Interlude
E
D E
[Verso 2]
Dm E
So weigh your fortune carefully when prophesy reveals
Dm E
That decadence & revelry can undermine your zeal
Dm E
& turn the prophesy upon its ear
Dm E
For in the dying embers of a century of blood
Dm E
Is all we must remember to avoid the coming flood
Dm E
Of prophesies we all refuse to hear
Interlude
Dm E x4
[Ponte]
E Dm
For singing broken melodies to songs in broken tongues
E Dm
Cannot erase the memory of bells already rung
E Dm
Nor can it unring the ones we hear
Dm E
So let the broken birds return upon their painted wings
Dm E
& let the broken words be burned unto the songs we sing
Dm E
Till every note is new unto our ears
[Refrão]
Am E
A beauteous sound, a diamond I have found
Dm E
A diamond I have found beneath the snow
Am E
Buried in the ground, 'neath a ruddy mound
Dm E
'Neath a ruddy mound where nothing grows
How to play The Broken Tongue
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.