Folk, Rock

My Back Pages Chords

Bob Dylan Beginner Key of G 5 Chords 5 min read

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Bob Dylan’s introspective folk-rock classic questioning his own past certainties. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match Dylan’s original recording key of A, while still playing the G-shaped chords shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Crimson flames tied through my ears

D

Rollin’ high and mighty traps

G C

Pounced with fire on flaming roads

G

Using ideas as my maps

D G

“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I

C

Proud ’neath heated brow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 2

C G

Girls’ faces formed the forward path

D

From phony jeopardy

G C

Won’t deceive, I’m thought to be

G

The injured judge’s son

D G

But all my critics I can quote

C

From memory to show

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 3

C G

A self-ordained professor’s tongue

D

Too serious to fool

G

Spouted out that liberty

C G

Is just equality in school

D

“Equality,” I spoke the word

G

As if a wedding vow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 4

C G

In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand

D

At the mongrel dogs who teach

G C

Fearing not that I’d become my enemy

G

In the instant that I preach

D

My pathway led by confusion boats

G

Mutiny from stern to bow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

/verse

bridge label="Bridge"

G C

Half-wracked prejudice I leaped forth

G

“Rip down all hate,” I screamed

D

Lies that life is black and white

G

Spoke from my skull, I dreamed

C

Romantic facts of musketeers

G D

Foundationed deep, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

/bridge

chorus label="Chorus"

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Outro

C G

My guard stood hard when abstract threats

D

Too noble to neglect

G

Deceived me into thinking

C

I had something to protect

G D

Good and bad, I define these terms

G

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Practice tip: The chord progression is mostly G, C, and D. Practice switching between these three chords smoothly before adding the lyrics, as the song relies on this core pattern.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Bob Dylan’s introspective folk-rock classic questioning his own past certainties. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match Dylan’s original recording key of A, while still playing the G-shaped chords shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Crimson flames tied through my ears

D

Rollin’ high and mighty traps

G C

Pounced with fire on flaming roads

G

Using ideas as my maps

D G

“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I

C

Proud ’neath heated brow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 2

C G

Girls’ faces formed the forward path

D

From phony jeopardy

G C

Won’t deceive, I’m thought to be

G

The injured judge’s son

D G

But all my critics I can quote

C

From memory to show

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 3

C G

A self-ordained professor’s tongue

D

Too serious to fool

G

Spouted out that liberty

C G

Is just equality in school

D

“Equality,” I spoke the word

G

As if a wedding vow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 4

C G

In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand

D

At the mongrel dogs who teach

G C

Fearing not that I’d become my enemy

G

In the instant that I preach

D

My pathway led by confusion boats

G

Mutiny from stern to bow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

/verse

bridge label="Bridge"

G C

Half-wracked prejudice I leaped forth

G

“Rip down all hate,” I screamed

D

Lies that life is black and white

G

Spoke from my skull, I dreamed

C

Romantic facts of musketeers

G D

Foundationed deep, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

/bridge

chorus label="Chorus"

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Outro

C G

My guard stood hard when abstract threats

D

Too noble to neglect

G

Deceived me into thinking

C

I had something to protect

G D

Good and bad, I define these terms

G

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Practice tip: The chord progression is mostly G, C, and D. Practice switching between these three chords smoothly before adding the lyrics, as the song relies on this core pattern.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Bob Dylan’s introspective folk-rock classic questioning his own past certainties. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match Dylan’s original recording key of A, while still playing the G-shaped chords shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Crimson flames tied through my ears

D

Rollin’ high and mighty traps

G C

Pounced with fire on flaming roads

G

Using ideas as my maps

D G

“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I

C

Proud ’neath heated brow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 2

C G

Girls’ faces formed the forward path

D

From phony jeopardy

G C

Won’t deceive, I’m thought to be

G

The injured judge’s son

D G

But all my critics I can quote

C

From memory to show

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 3

C G

A self-ordained professor’s tongue

D

Too serious to fool

G

Spouted out that liberty

C G

Is just equality in school

D

“Equality,” I spoke the word

G

As if a wedding vow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 4

C G

In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand

D

At the mongrel dogs who teach

G C

Fearing not that I’d become my enemy

G

In the instant that I preach

D

My pathway led by confusion boats

G

Mutiny from stern to bow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

/verse

bridge label="Bridge"

G C

Half-wracked prejudice I leaped forth

G

“Rip down all hate,” I screamed

D

Lies that life is black and white

G

Spoke from my skull, I dreamed

C

Romantic facts of musketeers

G D

Foundationed deep, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

/bridge

chorus label="Chorus"

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Outro

C G

My guard stood hard when abstract threats

D

Too noble to neglect

G

Deceived me into thinking

C

I had something to protect

G D

Good and bad, I define these terms

G

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Practice tip: The chord progression is mostly G, C, and D. Practice switching between these three chords smoothly before adding the lyrics, as the song relies on this core pattern.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Bob Dylan’s introspective folk-rock classic questioning his own past certainties. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match Dylan’s original recording key of A, while still playing the G-shaped chords shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Crimson flames tied through my ears

D

Rollin’ high and mighty traps

G C

Pounced with fire on flaming roads

G

Using ideas as my maps

D G

“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I

C

Proud ’neath heated brow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 2

C G

Girls’ faces formed the forward path

D

From phony jeopardy

G C

Won’t deceive, I’m thought to be

G

The injured judge’s son

D G

But all my critics I can quote

C

From memory to show

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 3

C G

A self-ordained professor’s tongue

D

Too serious to fool

G

Spouted out that liberty

C G

Is just equality in school

D

“Equality,” I spoke the word

G

As if a wedding vow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 4

C G

In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand

D

At the mongrel dogs who teach

G C

Fearing not that I’d become my enemy

G

In the instant that I preach

D

My pathway led by confusion boats

G

Mutiny from stern to bow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

/verse

bridge label="Bridge"

G C

Half-wracked prejudice I leaped forth

G

“Rip down all hate,” I screamed

D

Lies that life is black and white

G

Spoke from my skull, I dreamed

C

Romantic facts of musketeers

G D

Foundationed deep, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

/bridge

chorus label="Chorus"

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Outro

C G

My guard stood hard when abstract threats

D

Too noble to neglect

G

Deceived me into thinking

C

I had something to protect

G D

Good and bad, I define these terms

G

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Practice tip: The chord progression is mostly G, C, and D. Practice switching between these three chords smoothly before adding the lyrics, as the song relies on this core pattern.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Bob Dylan’s introspective folk-rock classic questioning his own past certainties. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match Dylan’s original recording key of A, while still playing the G-shaped chords shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Crimson flames tied through my ears

D

Rollin’ high and mighty traps

G C

Pounced with fire on flaming roads

G

Using ideas as my maps

D G

“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I

C

Proud ’neath heated brow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 2

C G

Girls’ faces formed the forward path

D

From phony jeopardy

G C

Won’t deceive, I’m thought to be

G

The injured judge’s son

D G

But all my critics I can quote

C

From memory to show

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 3

C G

A self-ordained professor’s tongue

D

Too serious to fool

G

Spouted out that liberty

C G

Is just equality in school

D

“Equality,” I spoke the word

G

As if a wedding vow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 4

C G

In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand

D

At the mongrel dogs who teach

G C

Fearing not that I’d become my enemy

G

In the instant that I preach

D

My pathway led by confusion boats

G

Mutiny from stern to bow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

/verse

bridge label="Bridge"

G C

Half-wracked prejudice I leaped forth

G

“Rip down all hate,” I screamed

D

Lies that life is black and white

G

Spoke from my skull, I dreamed

C

Romantic facts of musketeers

G D

Foundationed deep, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

/bridge

chorus label="Chorus"

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Outro

C G

My guard stood hard when abstract threats

D

Too noble to neglect

G

Deceived me into thinking

C

I had something to protect

G D

Good and bad, I define these terms

G

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Practice tip: The chord progression is mostly G, C, and D. Practice switching between these three chords smoothly before adding the lyrics, as the song relies on this core pattern.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Bob Dylan’s introspective folk-rock classic questioning his own past certainties. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match Dylan’s original recording key of A, while still playing the G-shaped chords shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Crimson flames tied through my ears

D

Rollin’ high and mighty traps

G C

Pounced with fire on flaming roads

G

Using ideas as my maps

D G

“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I

C

Proud ’neath heated brow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 2

C G

Girls’ faces formed the forward path

D

From phony jeopardy

G C

Won’t deceive, I’m thought to be

G

The injured judge’s son

D G

But all my critics I can quote

C

From memory to show

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 3

C G

A self-ordained professor’s tongue

D

Too serious to fool

G

Spouted out that liberty

C G

Is just equality in school

D

“Equality,” I spoke the word

G

As if a wedding vow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Verse 4

C G

In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand

D

At the mongrel dogs who teach

G C

Fearing not that I’d become my enemy

G

In the instant that I preach

D

My pathway led by confusion boats

G

Mutiny from stern to bow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Chorus

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

/verse

bridge label="Bridge"

G C

Half-wracked prejudice I leaped forth

G

“Rip down all hate,” I screamed

D

Lies that life is black and white

G

Spoke from my skull, I dreamed

C

Romantic facts of musketeers

G D

Foundationed deep, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

/bridge

chorus label="Chorus"

G C

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

G

Too noble to neglect

D

Deceived me into thinking

G

I had something to protect

C G

Good and bad, I define these terms

D

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Outro

C G

My guard stood hard when abstract threats

D

Too noble to neglect

G

Deceived me into thinking

C

I had something to protect

G D

Good and bad, I define these terms

G

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

G D

Ah, but I was so much older then

G C

I’m younger than that now

Practice tip: The chord progression is mostly G, C, and D. Practice switching between these three chords smoothly before adding the lyrics, as the song relies on this core pattern.