The Soldier And The Oak
View chords used in this chart
Intro: C
Em
This is a story that began long, long ago
Am F
I was a young oak tree in dark Missouri soil
C
And like all other saplings I had dreams of growing
G
Strong and tall
C Em
But one day a rebel with a bullet in his chest
Am F
Hung his rifle on my limbs and laid to rest
C
And there beside me as the blood soaked to my roots
G
The soldier sang
A song of grace
Am C F C
C Em
The heavy rifle bowed me over to the ground
Am F
Two years I stayed this way until the rifle fell
C
And in this manner for a hundred years I grew
G
All my dreams
Not meant to be
C Em
And then one day two men came with a cross cut saw
Am F
They spoke of how my arch would hold a weight so strong
C
And I feared not the blade for such a worthy cause
G
And so I fell
I gladly fell
Am C F Em Dm G Am
F G
Three winter days aboard a northbound train
Am G
Three more beneath the hewer's careful blade
F G
And while he worked he praised my rich red grain
F G
Perhaps it was the soldier's blood that day
C Em
Now I'm the wooden arch that holds a mighty bell
Am F
Three stocks before me cracked but I shall never fail
C
Up in a tall cathedral high above my dreams
G
Of long ago
C Em
And on Sunday mornings when I hear that sweet refrain
Am F
I see the soldier's face like it was yesterday
C G
Calling angels down from heaven with that hymn he softly sang
Of God's good grace
Outro: Am C F Em Dm G Am C F Em Dm G C
How to play The Soldier And The Oak
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.