The Partisan
View chords used in this chart
Capo 3
Intro: Em
G Em
When they poured across the border
G Em
I was cautioned to surrender,
G D
this I could not do
C G B7
I took my gun and vanished.
Em Em Em Em
G Em
I have changed my name so often,
G Em
I've lost my wife and children
G D
but I have many friends,
C G B7
and some of them are with me.
Em Em Em Em
G Em
An old woman gave us shelter,
G Em
kept us hidden in the garret,
G D
then the soldiers came.
C G B7
she died without a whisper.
Em Em Em Em
G Em
There were three of us this morning
G Em
I'm the only one this evening
G D
but I must go on
C G B7
the frontiers are my pri-son.
Em Em Em Em
G Em
Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
G Em
through the graves the wind is blowing,
G D
freedom soon will come
C G B7
then we'll come from the shadows.
Em Em Em Em
G Em
Les Allemands étaient chez moi, The Germans were at my home
G Em
ils m'ont dit "Résigne-toi" They said, "Sign yourself,"
G D
mais je n'ai pas peur; But I am not afraid
C G B7
j'ai repris mon arme. I have retaken my weapon.
Em Em Em Em
G Em
J'ai change cent fois de nom, I have changed names a hundred times
G Em
j'ai perdu femme et enfants I have lost wife and children
G D
mais j'ai tant d'amis But I have so many friends
C G B7
j'ai la France entire. I have all of France
Em Em Em Em
G Em
Un vieil homme dans un grenier An old man, in an attic
G Em
pour la nuit nous a cache, Hid us for the night
G D
les Allemands l'ont pris The Germans captured him
C G B7
il est mort sans surprise. He died without surprise.
Em Em Em Em
G Em
Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
G Em
through the graves the wind is blowing,
G D
freedom soon will come;
C G B7 Em Em Em Em
then we'll come from the shadows.
How to play The Partisan
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 Em. 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.