They Thought I Was Asleep
View chords used in this chart
C
We were driving back from the country one night
G Am
Mum and Dad up front and the rest of us snug and tight
C
My kid brother grizzled for a little minute
G Am
‘Til my big sister told he’d better quit it or die
F
It had been a long day in the countryside
Dm
Playing’ with the cousins on my mother’s side
C G Am
The sound of the radio closed our eyes drifting across the seat then I fell asleep
C G Am
I don’t know what woke me up, maybe a country song or a big truck passing by
C
But I could hear Momma and Papa talking
G Am
Papa said something and Momma began to cry
F Dm
No more words than just soft sobs and then my head began to throb
C G
I just lay there playing dog breathing slow and deep
Am F G Am
They thought I was asleep, They thought that I was asleep
HARMONICA
C G Am (x2)
F G Am (x2)
C
Well it seemed like forever til the sobbing stopped
G Am
Then they talked for a little just too soft to hear
C
And Daddy kept looking at the side of her face
G Am
One hand on the wheel and one hand stroking her hair
F
The headlights shinin’ from the other way
Dm
Showed tears on the cheeks on Daddy’s face
C
I prayed for Jesus to send his grace
G Am
And all our souls to keep – back then I believed
F G Am
They thought I was asleep
F G Am
The night was dark and deep
F G C
How I wish I was asleep
How to play They Thought I Was Asleep
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.