The Tide Falls Away
View chords used in this chart
Dar Williams - The Tide Falls Away
Intro: Am Am7 Am F
Am Am7 F
I walked a spiralling village one night
Em G F
Drawn by the word of a bell or a light
G E7 Am Am7
Out on the flats, saw it rose to a spire
Am F C Am
All becomes clear as the tide falls away
Am Am7 F
Parent and child and an ocean between
Em G F
One is not heard and the other not seen
G E7 Am Am7
Too many bottles, but each had a message inside
Am F C Am Am7
All becomes clear as the tide falls away
Am F C Am
All becomes clear as the tide falls away
INTERLUDE: Am Am7 F Em G F
G E7
Lucky we are when the stars leave us singing
Am F C
A hymn or a dirge when the surge of the ocean is gone
F
Is gone
INTERLUDE: Am Am7 Am F
Am Am7 F
And the old woman just stares at her hands
Em G F
So many heroes have crumbled to sand
G E7 Am Am7
All those cathedrals were merely by men
Am F C Am
All becomes clear as the tide falls away
F C Am Am7
All becomes clear as the tide falls away
F
All falls away
OUTRO: Am Am7 Am F
How to play The Tide Falls Away
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 Am. 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.