The Old Lamplighter
View chords used in this chart
G D F# F#7 Bm
He made the night a little brighter wherever
G D G D A7
He would go the old lamp lighter of long, long ago.
G D F# F#7 Bm
His snowy hair was so much whiter. Beneath the candle's glow
G D G D A7 D A7 D D6
The old lamp lighter of long, long ago. You'd hear the patter of his feet
D D6 D D6 D
As he came toddlin' down the street, the smile would hide a lonely heart, you see
Em Em7 Em Em7
If there were sweethearts in the park, he'd pass a lamp and leave it dark,
Em Em7 Em A7 D D6
Remembering the days that used to be, for he recalls when dreams were new,
D D6 D A7 D
He loved someone who loved him, too, who walks with him alone in memory.
G D F# F#7 Bm
He made the night a little brighter wherever
G D G D A7
He would go the old lamp lighter of long, long ago.
G D F# F#7 Bm
His snowy hair was so much whiter. Beneath the candle's glow
G D G D A7 D A7 D D6
The old lamp lighter of long, long ago. You'd hear the patter of his feet
D D6 D D6 D
As he came toddlin' down the street, the smile would hide a lonely heart, you see
Em Em7 Em Em7
Now if you look up in the sky, you'll understand the reason why
Em Em7 Em A7 D D6
The little stars at night are all aglow, he turns them on when night is here,
D D6 D A7 D
He turns them off when dawn is near, the little man we loved so long ago.
G D F# F#7 Bm
He made the night a little brighter wherever
G D G D A7
He would go the old lamp lighter of long, long ago.
G D F# F#7 Bm
His snowy hair was so much whiter. Beneath the candle's glow
G D G D A7 D A7 D D6
The old lamp lighter of long, long ago. You'd hear the patter of his feet
D D6 D D6 D
As he came toddlin' down the street, the smile would hide a lonely heart, you see
How to play The Old Lamplighter
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.