Wash It Away
View chords used in this chart
Standard Tuning: EADGBE
Chords
A G D D2
--0-- --3-- --2-- --2--
--2-- --3-- --3-- --3--
--2-- --0-- --2-- --2--
--2-- --0-- --0-- --0--
--0-- --2-- ----- --0--
--0-- --3-- ----- --2--
Throughout the first verse, the guitar is played muted,
and only with a few notes of the actual chord, most likely
the G and the B strings. Play around. It all sounds good.
The chord pattern for the verse is very simple, and only
consists of 3 chords. The progression is A-G-D. Listen to
the CD for the changes and timing.
During the second part of each verse it sounds better if you
substitute the D2 in place of the D.
For the chorus, go back to the straight verse chords. Feel
free to use the D2, depending on your taste.
During the bridge, play the chord progression A-D-G
The strumming patterns and muted notes are too hard for me to
tab, so please listen to the CD for ideas.
______________________________________________________________
Intro Riff:
E----------------------------|------------------------|
B----3-2---------------------|---3-2------------------|
G---------2-0----------------|-------2-0-----0h2vvvv--|
D--------------2--4-5-4------|-----------2-2----------|
A-0---------------------5-4--|-0----------------------|
E----------------------------|------------------------|
E----------------------------|------------------------|
B----3-2---------------------|---3-2------------------|
G---------2-0----------------|-------2-0-----0h2vvvv--|
D--------------2--4-5-4------|-----------2-2----------|
A-0---------------------5-4--|-0----------------------|
E----------------------------|------------------------|
Verse 1. Chord progression: A-G-D
Wash it in the sea, let is soak all night
Wash it in the sea, let the salt water wash it away
Soak it in bleach, 'til it's white on white
Soak it in bleach, 'til the blood just washes away
Riff1:
E------------------------------|
B---3-2------------------------|
G-2-----2-0-----0h2-2vvvv------|
D-----------2-2----------------|
A-0----------------------------|
E------------------------------|
Verse 2. Chord progression: A-G-D
Hang it in the wind, let it blow all night
Hang it up high, let the high wind blow it away
Hang it in the wind, let the sun burn bright
Hang it in the wind, 'til the blood just washes away
I have waited wasted years
For the child that's come and gone today
I have wasted all this fear
How can I just turn and wash it away
Chorus: Chord progression: A-G-D
If I can then I will (I will) wash it away
If she can then she will wash it away
If I can then I will (and I will) wash it away
If she can then she will wash it away
Fill:
A
E--0----------------------|---------------------------|
B--2----------------------|---3--2h3p2h3p2h3p2vvvvvv--|
G--2----------------------|---------------------------|
D--2----------------------|---------------------------|
A--0----------------------|---------------------------|
E--0----------------------|---------------------------|
Palm Mute + strum
Verse 2: Chord Progression: A-G-D
Forty years spent one by one
Forty years of life just slipping away
What I'd give for a firstborn son
Forty years of blood just washing away
I have waited wasted lives
I have waited long enough I'd say
Say what about this wasted child
How can I just turn and wash it away
Chorus:
If I can then I will (I will) wash it away
If she can then she will wash it away
If I can then I will (and I will) wash it away
If she can then she will wash it away
Bridge: Chord progression: A-D-G
So send me an angel
Send me the ghost that I was
Send me an angel
Send me the ghost that I was
Chorus (Note - the solo is played during this final chorus)
* See below for solo ideas *
And I was and I am
I will wash it away
She will wash it away
I will wash it away
If I can then I will then I will and I will
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah etc....
Solo:
The solo is very open to individual taste and ability.
I find it best to keep it within the following scale
and just play around a bit. In keeping with the tune,
play around the lower frets first, then move up as you
progress
This is what I reckon sounds pretty good. But I am only
a beginner, so you can laugh if you want
Play this riff through the first few bars of the chorus
E--------------------------------|
B----0-2-2-2h3--3--3-3-2-2-------|
G--2-----------------------2-----|
D----------------------------2---| Repeat as desired
A--------------------------------|
E--------------------------------|
Then plat something in the following scale
E------------------------------5-7-9-10---|
B----------------------2-3-5-7------------|
G----------------0-2-4--------------------| Just pick a few notes
D----------0-2-4--------------------------| and play with them
A-----0-2-4-------------------------------|
E-0-3-------------------------------------|
Play something with these notes during the "yeah's"
E--10-9---9-10-9---9--|
B------10-------10----|
G---------------------| Repeat a few times
D---------------------|
A---------------------|
E---------------------|
Then play something like this
E---------------|
B---12-10-------|
G---------12----|
D---------------|
A---------------|
E---------------|
Go nuts on the solo. End the song with
E--3-2---0----||
B-----3--2----||
G--------2----||
D--------2----||
A-------------||
E-------------||
Hope you like it.
Comments/questions/corrections to jpatterson100@hotmail.com
How to play Wash It 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 A. 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.