Yesterday When I Was Young
View chords used in this chart
Dm G
Yesterday when I was young
C F
the taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue
Dm E
I teased at life as if it were a foolish game
E7 Am
the way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame
Dm G
The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned
C F
I always built alas on weak and shifting sand
Dm E
I lived by night and shunned the naked light of the day
E7 Am
and only now I see how the years ran away
Dm G
Yesterday when I was young
C F
so many drinking songs were waiting to be sung,
Dm E
so many wayward pleasures lay in store for me
E7 Am
and so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see
Dm G
I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out
C F
I never stopped to think what life was all about
Dm E
and every conversation I can now recall
E7 Am
concerned itself with me and nothing else at all
Dm G
Yesterday the moon was blue
C F
and every crazy day brought something new to do
Dm E
I used my magic age as if it were a wand
E7 Am
and never saw the waste and emptiness beyond
Dm G
The game of love I played with arrogance and pride
C F
and every flame I lit too quickly quickly died
Dm E
The friends I made all seemed somehow to drift away
E7 Am
and only I am left on stage to end the play
Dm G
There are so many songs in me that won't be sung
C F
I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue
Dm E E7 Am
The time has come for me to pay for yesterday when I was young
How to play Yesterday When I Was Young
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 Dm. 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.