Folk, Rock

Sundown Chords

Gordon Lightfoot Beginner Key of E 4 Chords 3 min read

Etap to play

Atap to play

Btap to play

Gtap to play

Key

E Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

E · A · B · G

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic 1974 folk-rock hit about suspicion and desire. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, and D shapes to match the original recording’s key of A, or play these E-family chords open for the key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

I can see her lying back in her satined sheets

E A E

I can see her sunset in her eyes

B E A E

Brown skinned woman got her spells on me

B E A E

Brown skinned woman you’re my weakness and I can’t deny

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 2

E B

Sometimes I think it’s a sin

E A E

When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again

B E A E

I can see her looking fast in her rear view mirror

B E A E

She must be thinking of her man who’s a poor man’s son

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Bridge

E B

I can picture every move that a man could make

E A E B

Getting lost in her loving is your first mistake

E A

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 3

E B

Sometimes I sit here thinking just what I might do

E A E

Sometimes I think it’s a sin when I get blue

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

[outro label=”Outro”]
[A]Sundown, you better [E]take care
If I [B]find you been [E]creeping ’round my back [A]stairs
[A]Sundown, you better [E]take care
If I [B]find you been [E]creeping ’round my back [A]stairs
[/outro]

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (E, A, B). Master the transition from E to B, as it’s the trickiest move. Strum steadily and let the lyrics carry the mood.

Etap to play

Atap to play

Btap to play

Gtap to play

Key

E Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

E · A · B · G

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic 1974 folk-rock hit about suspicion and desire. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, and D shapes to match the original recording’s key of A, or play these E-family chords open for the key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

I can see her lying back in her satined sheets

E A E

I can see her sunset in her eyes

B E A E

Brown skinned woman got her spells on me

B E A E

Brown skinned woman you’re my weakness and I can’t deny

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 2

E B

Sometimes I think it’s a sin

E A E

When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again

B E A E

I can see her looking fast in her rear view mirror

B E A E

She must be thinking of her man who’s a poor man’s son

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Bridge

E B

I can picture every move that a man could make

E A E B

Getting lost in her loving is your first mistake

E A

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 3

E B

Sometimes I sit here thinking just what I might do

E A E

Sometimes I think it’s a sin when I get blue

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

[outro label=”Outro”]
[A]Sundown, you better [E]take care
If I [B]find you been [E]creeping ’round my back [A]stairs
[A]Sundown, you better [E]take care
If I [B]find you been [E]creeping ’round my back [A]stairs
[/outro]

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (E, A, B). Master the transition from E to B, as it’s the trickiest move. Strum steadily and let the lyrics carry the mood.

Etap to play

Atap to play

Btap to play

Gtap to play

Key

E Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

E · A · B · G

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic 1974 folk-rock hit about suspicion and desire. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, and D shapes to match the original recording’s key of A, or play these E-family chords open for the key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

I can see her lying back in her satined sheets

E A E

I can see her sunset in her eyes

B E A E

Brown skinned woman got her spells on me

B E A E

Brown skinned woman you’re my weakness and I can’t deny

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 2

E B

Sometimes I think it’s a sin

E A E

When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again

B E A E

I can see her looking fast in her rear view mirror

B E A E

She must be thinking of her man who’s a poor man’s son

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Bridge

E B

I can picture every move that a man could make

E A E B

Getting lost in her loving is your first mistake

E A

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 3

E B

Sometimes I sit here thinking just what I might do

E A E

Sometimes I think it’s a sin when I get blue

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

[outro label=”Outro”]
[A]Sundown, you better [E]take care
If I [B]find you been [E]creeping ’round my back [A]stairs
[A]Sundown, you better [E]take care
If I [B]find you been [E]creeping ’round my back [A]stairs
[/outro]

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (E, A, B). Master the transition from E to B, as it’s the trickiest move. Strum steadily and let the lyrics carry the mood.

Etap to play

Atap to play

Btap to play

Gtap to play

Key

E Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

E · A · B · G

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic 1974 folk-rock hit about suspicion and desire. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, and D shapes to match the original recording’s key of A, or play these E-family chords open for the key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

I can see her lying back in her satined sheets

E A E

I can see her sunset in her eyes

B E A E

Brown skinned woman got her spells on me

B E A E

Brown skinned woman you’re my weakness and I can’t deny

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 2

E B

Sometimes I think it’s a sin

E A E

When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again

B E A E

I can see her looking fast in her rear view mirror

B E A E

She must be thinking of her man who’s a poor man’s son

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Bridge

E B

I can picture every move that a man could make

E A E B

Getting lost in her loving is your first mistake

E A

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 3

E B

Sometimes I sit here thinking just what I might do

E A E

Sometimes I think it’s a sin when I get blue

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

[outro label=”Outro”]
[A]Sundown, you better [E]take care
If I [B]find you been [E]creeping ’round my back [A]stairs
[A]Sundown, you better [E]take care
If I [B]find you been [E]creeping ’round my back [A]stairs
[/outro]

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (E, A, B). Master the transition from E to B, as it’s the trickiest move. Strum steadily and let the lyrics carry the mood.

Etap to play

Atap to play

Btap to play

Gtap to play

Key

E Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

E · A · B · G

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic 1974 folk-rock hit about suspicion and desire. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, and D shapes to match the original recording’s key of A, or play these E-family chords open for the key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

I can see her lying back in her satined sheets

E A E

I can see her sunset in her eyes

B E A E

Brown skinned woman got her spells on me

B E A E

Brown skinned woman you’re my weakness and I can’t deny

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 2

E B

Sometimes I think it’s a sin

E A E

When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again

B E A E

I can see her looking fast in her rear view mirror

B E A E

She must be thinking of her man who’s a poor man’s son

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Bridge

E B

I can picture every move that a man could make

E A E B

Getting lost in her loving is your first mistake

E A

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 3

E B

Sometimes I sit here thinking just what I might do

E A E

Sometimes I think it’s a sin when I get blue

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

[outro label=”Outro”]
[A]Sundown, you better [E]take care
If I [B]find you been [E]creeping ’round my back [A]stairs
[A]Sundown, you better [E]take care
If I [B]find you been [E]creeping ’round my back [A]stairs
[/outro]

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (E, A, B). Master the transition from E to B, as it’s the trickiest move. Strum steadily and let the lyrics carry the mood.

Etap to play

Atap to play

Btap to play

Gtap to play

Key

E Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

E · A · B · G

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic 1974 folk-rock hit about suspicion and desire. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, and D shapes to match the original recording’s key of A, or play these E-family chords open for the key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

I can see her lying back in her satined sheets

E A E

I can see her sunset in her eyes

B E A E

Brown skinned woman got her spells on me

B E A E

Brown skinned woman you’re my weakness and I can’t deny

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 2

E B

Sometimes I think it’s a sin

E A E

When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again

B E A E

I can see her looking fast in her rear view mirror

B E A E

She must be thinking of her man who’s a poor man’s son

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Bridge

E B

I can picture every move that a man could make

E A E B

Getting lost in her loving is your first mistake

E A

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 3

E B

Sometimes I sit here thinking just what I might do

E A E

Sometimes I think it’s a sin when I get blue

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

[outro label=”Outro”]
[A]Sundown, you better [E]take care
If I [B]find you been [E]creeping ’round my back [A]stairs
[A]Sundown, you better [E]take care
If I [B]find you been [E]creeping ’round my back [A]stairs
[/outro]

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (E, A, B). Master the transition from E to B, as it’s the trickiest move. Strum steadily and let the lyrics carry the mood.