The Philosopher
View chords used in this chart
[Verso 1]
F# C#6 D#m
The Philosopher stands at the edge looking down
F# C#6 D#m
And he asks himself am I at the top or bottom now?
F# C#6 D#m
The philosopher lets his beard grow to the ground
F# C#6 D#m
And he asks himself am I through the worst or am I missing out?
B F#
How can he love you when nothing is true
C# B
How can you see him if he can’t see you
B F#
You are the answer he cannot accept
C# B
He’s always looking for questions instead
G#m7 D#m7
Always on his mind
Bmaj7 F#
Never in his heart
[Verso 2]
F# C#6 D#m
The philosopher has a lot of doubts
F# C#6 D#m
He can’t calm his mind with the words of a man in the clouds
F# C#6 D#m
The philosopher finds it hard to tell
F# C#6 D#m
If he belongs in heaven or hell
B F#
How can he love you when nothing is true
C# B
How can you see him if he can’t see you
B F#
You are the answer he cannot accept
C# B
He’s always looking for questions instead
G#m7 D#m7
Always on his mind
Bmaj7 F#
Never in his heart
B F#
He’ll let you know when he finds the answer
B D#m
He’ll let you know when his bones are clean
B F#
He’ll tell you stories of all the wonders
C#
He’s never seen
B F#
How can he love you when nothing is true
C# B
How can you see him if he can’t see you
B F#
You are the answer he cannot accept
C# B
He’s always looking for questions instead
G#m7 D#m7
Always on his mind
Bmaj7 F#
Never in his heart
[Verso 3]
F# C#6 D#m
The Philosopher’s counting grains of rice
F# C#6 D#m
Playing chess with the passing of time
F# C#6 D#m
The philosopher lets his life go by
Outro
G#m7 D#m7
Always on his mind
Bmaj7 F#
Never in his heart
How to play The Philosopher
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 F#. 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.