The Letter
View chords used in this chart
Intro: C F7+ Am G F7+
Am G F7+
Am G C F7+
Am G F7+
Sweat, and blood, and ink I've spent
Am G F7+
But I saved my tears
Am G C
I won't spring a leak for them
F7+ Am G F7+
Sharply dressed and ill at ease
Am G F7+
Like a sucker keen to please
Am G C
The man, the boss, the teacher
C/B C
I have tried to fall in love
C/B
It did nothing more than leave me messed up
Am G F7+
Some wild, bitter baby
G
Now I'm crying for whoever
F7+ C G
Contentment would have made
F7+ G Am
All things pass and change
G F7+ G
I wish you could
C F7+
Have lived your life
Am G F7+
All the things you would have seen
Am G F7+
Or the man you could have been
Am G F7+ C F7+
I would stand beside you
Am G F7+
Now the hours and seconds crawl
Am G F7+
Make me question it all again
Am G F7+ C
Why my son, my boy, my light?
C/B C
You'd have found someone to love
C/B
Someone sweet and kind, a lot like you
Am G F7+
She'd be your everything
G
And it could have saved you
F7+ C G
Contentment would have made
F7+ G Am
All things pass and change
G F7+ G
I wish you could
C F7+
Have lived your life
C G
Contentment would have made
F7+ G Am
All things pass and change
G F7+ G
I wish you could
C F7+ C
Have lived your life like this
How to play The Letter
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 C. 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.