The Third Man Theme
View chords used in this chart
C
When a zither starts to play
Dm
You'll remember yesterday
G7
In its haunting strain
G7
Vienna lives again
Am G
Free and bright and gay
C
In your mind a sudden gleam
Dm
Of a half forgotten dream
G7 C G
Seems to glimmer when you hear the third man theme
C
Once again there comes to mind
Dm
Someone that you left behind
G7
Love that somehow didn't last
Am
In that happy city of the past
A7
Does she still recall the dream
Dm
That rapture so supreme
G7 C
When first she heard the haunting third man theme?
C Am
Carnivals and carousels and Ferris wheels and parasols
C Am
The Danube nights, the dancing lights again will shine
G
The zither's sweet refrain
G
Keeps swirling in your brain
G
Like new may wine
G7
Strauss waltzes, candle-glow
G7
And the laughter of long ago
C
Fill the magic chords and make it seem like today
C
You never knew that you could be
G
Enchanted by a melody
G7
The years will never drive it out
G7
You don't know why
C
It's something you can't live without
C
You hear it in the twilight hush
G
And in the morning traffic rush
G7
A song that's always new
C
In your heart a part of you
C
When a zither starts to play
Dm
You'll remember yesterday
G7
In its haunting strain
G7
Vienna lives again
Am G
Free and bright and gay
C
In your mind a sudden gleam
Dm
Of a new-remembered dream
G7 C G
shines so brightly when you hear the third man theme
G7 C G
shines so brightly when you hear the third man theme
G7 C G
shines so brightly when you hear the third man theme
How to play The Third Man Theme
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.