The general
Learn how to play The general by Dispatch with a complete chord chart, highlighted chords and a layout optimized for mobile.
Intro
Ocultar tablatura
Bm F Cm
e---------------------------X-X-1-------------------------------3-3---|
b---------------------------3-3-1-------------------------------3-3---|
g---------------------------3-3-2-------------------------------3-3---|
d---------------------------3-3-3--3---3^5^3-----3--------------4-4---|
a-----------1---1-------1---1-1-3------------5------5---31/3---4-4---|
e---2---3-----------3-------X-X-1-------------------------------3-3---|
Gm Eb Bb F (Play Twice)
e---3-------------------X-X--6-6-6-6--1-1-1-1-1-|
b---3------------------/8-8--6-6-6-6--1-1-1-1-1-|
g---3------------------/8-8--7-7-7-7--2-2-2-2-2-|
d---5------------------/8-8--8-8-8-8--3-3-3-3-3-|
a---5----------1^3^1---/6-6--8-8-8-8--3-3-3-3-3-|
e---3---2---3-----------X-X--6-6-6-6--1-1-1-1-1-|
Verse 1
Bb F
There was decorated general with a heart of gold
Cm Gm
That likened him to all the stories he told
Eb Bb
Of past battles won and lost and legends of old
F
A seasoned veteran in his own time
Bb F
On the battlefield he gained respect for fame
Cm Gm
With many medals of bravery and stripes to his name
Eb Bb
He grew a beard as soon as a he could to cover the scars on his face
F
And always urged his men on
Bb F
But on the eve of great battle with the infantry in dream
Cm Gm
The old general tossed in his sleep a lesson with its meaning
Eb Bb
He awoke from the night to tell what he had seen
F
And walked slowly out his tent
Bb F
All the men held tall with their chests in the air
Cm Gm
With the courage in their blood and the fire in their stare
Eb Bb
And it was a grey morning and they all wondered how they would fare
F
Till the old general told them to go home
He said...
Chorus
Bb F Cm Gm Eb
I have seen the others and i have discovered
Bb F
That this fight is not worth fighting
Bb F Cm Gm Eb
And i've seen their mothers and i will no other
Bb F
To follow me where i'm going, so...
Bb F Cm
Take a shower and shine your shoes
Gm Eb
You got no time to lose
Bb F
You are young men you must be living
X2
F5 F#5 G5
Go now you are forgiven
G5 F#5 F5
Verse 2
But the men stood fast with their guns on their shoulders
Not knowing what to do with contradicting orders
The general said he would do his own duty but extended it no further
The men could go as they pleased
But not a man moved their eyes gazed straight ahead
Till one by one they stepped back and not a word was said
The old general was left with his own words echoing in his head
He then prepared to fight
Chorus
F5 F#5 G5
Go now you are forgiven x10
G5 F#5 F5
View chords used in this chart
How to play The general
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 Bm. 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.