The Nightingale
View chords used in this chart
Intro: C F G C F G C
Am Em
Love burns in a young man's heart
F Em
He would give her the moon and the stars
Dm Am
And all the Treasures of the Pharaohs for
G F
A moment in her arms
Am Em7 Em
To the Ball with him she will go
F C
If he brings her a red, red rose
Dm Am
But there is only a rose of white
G F
In his garden green
G F
And calling up to the sky
G
The birds heard his lonely cry
Chorus:
C
"Sing for her, sweet Nightingale
F G
Tell her of my love
C
Bring for her, sweet Nightingale
F G C
A red, red rose of love
Am Em
Said the tree to the Nightingale
F C
"Upon this thorn you must impale
Dm Am
your heart, and then the blood
G F
Will turn this white rose red"
Am Em
All night, the little bird sang
F C
But in the morning she was gone
Dm Am
And beside her on the ground
G F
Lay a red, red rose
G
When the boy found it there
F G
Joy came from his despair
Chorus:
C
"You sang for her, sweet Nightingale
F G
You told her of my love
C
You bring for her, sweet Nightingale
F G C
This red, red rose of love"
Bridge:
E B
So he brought her the beautiful rose
E B
"To the Ball with me you'll go"
C D
"But no," she said
G D C
"I have jewels instead
Am D
Another has won my heart
Am D
And from you, now I must part
Am D E
So, take your foolish rose and go!"
Instrumental: C F G C F G C
Chorus: (## slow to end ##)
C
Sing for her, sweet Nightingale
F G
Sing from heaven above
C
Bring for her, sweet Nightingale
F G C
The wisdom that is love
F G C
The wisdom that is love
How to play The Nightingale
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.