The Dead Waltz
View chords used in this chart
Capo 1
G
I saw your daughter yesterday
A Bm
as I was idle on the porch
A G
she slept-walked from your house down the walkway
A Bm
as though she'd done it all before
A G
and the moon was out
Interlude: A Bm A G A Bm A G
and in her gown beside the riverbed
A Bm
she got down on her knees
A G
and wrapped her long hair up in vines, and leaves, and branches
A Bm
and with the wind beneath her feet
oh, she waltzed with the dead
Interlude: C Em D C Em
D
and everything was bathed
C Em
in light white as milk
G
as the impossible began
D C
she danced across the water's edge
Em G
but her feet, they didn't sink
D C Em D G
as though she flew
G
D A G
D
I ran out in the water
A
with a lantern in my hand
G
I was waste deep and shivering
I took her wrist and walked her in
D
I was loathe to interrupt her
A
but I had to get her home
G D
if people were to see this they'd gather up, raise hell and burn her alive
A G D A G D A G
G
don't you mind, don't you mind
she'll be fine
tie a bell around her ankle
before she lays down at night
and the sound of her footsteps
will wake me in time
don't you mind, don't you mind
I'll watch over her
D
as though she were mine
How to play The Dead Waltz
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 G. 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.