Rock

Powderfinger Chords

Neil Young Beginner Key of D 4 Chords 3 min read

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Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

D · G · A · Em

Neil Young’s haunting narrative about a young man facing an impossible situation. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play the chord shapes as written for the original key, or play without a capo for the key of D.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G D

Look out, mama, there’s a white boat coming up the river

G A D

With a big red beacon, and a flag, and a man on the rail

G D

I think you’d better call John

G A D

‘Cause it don’t look like they’re here to deliver the mail

Verse 2

D G D

And it’s less than a mile away, I hope they didn’t come to stay

G A D

It’s got numbers on the side and a gun, and it’s making big waves

G D G

Daddy’s gone, my brother’s out hunting in the mountains

A D

Big John’s been drinking since the river took Emmy-Lou

Chorus

G D A D

So the waves keep on rolling, down the river

G D

Guess I’ll sit here on the shore

A D G

Till I see the white boat, disappear

D A

I never saw powderfinger

D A D

People say it was just a dream

Verse 3

D G D

So the years go by, and the river keeps rolling, south to the sea

G A D

I found out what it means, to be alone, and I learned how to dream

G D

Now I’m twenty-one, I might make twenty-two

G A

And I might live a thousand years, before I’m through

Chorus

G D A D

So the waves keep on rolling, down the river

G D

Guess I’ll sit here on the shore

A D G

Till I see the white boat, disappear

D A

I never saw powderfinger

D A D

People say it was just a dream

Bridge

D G D

Look out, mama, I can see it coming, from my window

G A D

Sun is shining, and the water’s high, down by the bank

G D G A

Daddy’s rifle in my hand, it’s a feeling so unreal

D G A D

Pointed at the sky, waiting for the white boat to turn

Verse 4 / Outro

D G D

Shelter me from the powder and the finger

G A D

Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger

G D

Just think of me as one you’d never figured

G A

Would fade away so young

D G

With so much left undone

A D G A

Remember me to my love, I know I’ll miss her

D G D

Shelter me from the powder and the finger

G A D

Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger

Practice tip: The song’s power comes from its steady, rolling rhythm; practice the D, G, and A chord changes until you can make them without stopping your strumming hand.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

D · G · A · Em

Neil Young’s haunting narrative about a young man facing an impossible situation. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play the chord shapes as written for the original key, or play without a capo for the key of D.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G D

Look out, mama, there’s a white boat coming up the river

G A D

With a big red beacon, and a flag, and a man on the rail

G D

I think you’d better call John

G A D

‘Cause it don’t look like they’re here to deliver the mail

Verse 2

D G D

And it’s less than a mile away, I hope they didn’t come to stay

G A D

It’s got numbers on the side and a gun, and it’s making big waves

G D G

Daddy’s gone, my brother’s out hunting in the mountains

A D

Big John’s been drinking since the river took Emmy-Lou

Chorus

G D A D

So the waves keep on rolling, down the river

G D

Guess I’ll sit here on the shore

A D G

Till I see the white boat, disappear

D A

I never saw powderfinger

D A D

People say it was just a dream

Verse 3

D G D

So the years go by, and the river keeps rolling, south to the sea

G A D

I found out what it means, to be alone, and I learned how to dream

G D

Now I’m twenty-one, I might make twenty-two

G A

And I might live a thousand years, before I’m through

Chorus

G D A D

So the waves keep on rolling, down the river

G D

Guess I’ll sit here on the shore

A D G

Till I see the white boat, disappear

D A

I never saw powderfinger

D A D

People say it was just a dream

Bridge

D G D

Look out, mama, I can see it coming, from my window

G A D

Sun is shining, and the water’s high, down by the bank

G D G A

Daddy’s rifle in my hand, it’s a feeling so unreal

D G A D

Pointed at the sky, waiting for the white boat to turn

Verse 4 / Outro

D G D

Shelter me from the powder and the finger

G A D

Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger

G D

Just think of me as one you’d never figured

G A

Would fade away so young

D G

With so much left undone

A D G A

Remember me to my love, I know I’ll miss her

D G D

Shelter me from the powder and the finger

G A D

Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger

Practice tip: The song’s power comes from its steady, rolling rhythm; practice the D, G, and A chord changes until you can make them without stopping your strumming hand.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

D · G · A · Em

Neil Young’s haunting narrative about a young man facing an impossible situation. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play the chord shapes as written for the original key, or play without a capo for the key of D.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G D

Look out, mama, there’s a white boat coming up the river

G A D

With a big red beacon, and a flag, and a man on the rail

G D

I think you’d better call John

G A D

‘Cause it don’t look like they’re here to deliver the mail

Verse 2

D G D

And it’s less than a mile away, I hope they didn’t come to stay

G A D

It’s got numbers on the side and a gun, and it’s making big waves

G D G

Daddy’s gone, my brother’s out hunting in the mountains

A D

Big John’s been drinking since the river took Emmy-Lou

Chorus

G D A D

So the waves keep on rolling, down the river

G D

Guess I’ll sit here on the shore

A D G

Till I see the white boat, disappear

D A

I never saw powderfinger

D A D

People say it was just a dream

Verse 3

D G D

So the years go by, and the river keeps rolling, south to the sea

G A D

I found out what it means, to be alone, and I learned how to dream

G D

Now I’m twenty-one, I might make twenty-two

G A

And I might live a thousand years, before I’m through

Chorus

G D A D

So the waves keep on rolling, down the river

G D

Guess I’ll sit here on the shore

A D G

Till I see the white boat, disappear

D A

I never saw powderfinger

D A D

People say it was just a dream

Bridge

D G D

Look out, mama, I can see it coming, from my window

G A D

Sun is shining, and the water’s high, down by the bank

G D G A

Daddy’s rifle in my hand, it’s a feeling so unreal

D G A D

Pointed at the sky, waiting for the white boat to turn

Verse 4 / Outro

D G D

Shelter me from the powder and the finger

G A D

Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger

G D

Just think of me as one you’d never figured

G A

Would fade away so young

D G

With so much left undone

A D G A

Remember me to my love, I know I’ll miss her

D G D

Shelter me from the powder and the finger

G A D

Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger

Practice tip: The song’s power comes from its steady, rolling rhythm; practice the D, G, and A chord changes until you can make them without stopping your strumming hand.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

D · G · A · Em

Neil Young’s haunting narrative about a young man facing an impossible situation. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play the chord shapes as written for the original key, or play without a capo for the key of D.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G D

Look out, mama, there’s a white boat coming up the river

G A D

With a big red beacon, and a flag, and a man on the rail

G D

I think you’d better call John

G A D

‘Cause it don’t look like they’re here to deliver the mail

Verse 2

D G D

And it’s less than a mile away, I hope they didn’t come to stay

G A D

It’s got numbers on the side and a gun, and it’s making big waves

G D G

Daddy’s gone, my brother’s out hunting in the mountains

A D

Big John’s been drinking since the river took Emmy-Lou

Chorus

G D A D

So the waves keep on rolling, down the river

G D

Guess I’ll sit here on the shore

A D G

Till I see the white boat, disappear

D A

I never saw powderfinger

D A D

People say it was just a dream

Verse 3

D G D

So the years go by, and the river keeps rolling, south to the sea

G A D

I found out what it means, to be alone, and I learned how to dream

G D

Now I’m twenty-one, I might make twenty-two

G A

And I might live a thousand years, before I’m through

Chorus

G D A D

So the waves keep on rolling, down the river

G D

Guess I’ll sit here on the shore

A D G

Till I see the white boat, disappear

D A

I never saw powderfinger

D A D

People say it was just a dream

Bridge

D G D

Look out, mama, I can see it coming, from my window

G A D

Sun is shining, and the water’s high, down by the bank

G D G A

Daddy’s rifle in my hand, it’s a feeling so unreal

D G A D

Pointed at the sky, waiting for the white boat to turn

Verse 4 / Outro

D G D

Shelter me from the powder and the finger

G A D

Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger

G D

Just think of me as one you’d never figured

G A

Would fade away so young

D G

With so much left undone

A D G A

Remember me to my love, I know I’ll miss her

D G D

Shelter me from the powder and the finger

G A D

Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger

Practice tip: The song’s power comes from its steady, rolling rhythm; practice the D, G, and A chord changes until you can make them without stopping your strumming hand.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

D · G · A · Em

Neil Young’s haunting narrative about a young man facing an impossible situation. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play the chord shapes as written for the original key, or play without a capo for the key of D.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G D

Look out, mama, there’s a white boat coming up the river

G A D

With a big red beacon, and a flag, and a man on the rail

G D

I think you’d better call John

G A D

‘Cause it don’t look like they’re here to deliver the mail

Verse 2

D G D

And it’s less than a mile away, I hope they didn’t come to stay

G A D

It’s got numbers on the side and a gun, and it’s making big waves

G D G

Daddy’s gone, my brother’s out hunting in the mountains

A D

Big John’s been drinking since the river took Emmy-Lou

Chorus

G D A D

So the waves keep on rolling, down the river

G D

Guess I’ll sit here on the shore

A D G

Till I see the white boat, disappear

D A

I never saw powderfinger

D A D

People say it was just a dream

Verse 3

D G D

So the years go by, and the river keeps rolling, south to the sea

G A D

I found out what it means, to be alone, and I learned how to dream

G D

Now I’m twenty-one, I might make twenty-two

G A

And I might live a thousand years, before I’m through

Chorus

G D A D

So the waves keep on rolling, down the river

G D

Guess I’ll sit here on the shore

A D G

Till I see the white boat, disappear

D A

I never saw powderfinger

D A D

People say it was just a dream

Bridge

D G D

Look out, mama, I can see it coming, from my window

G A D

Sun is shining, and the water’s high, down by the bank

G D G A

Daddy’s rifle in my hand, it’s a feeling so unreal

D G A D

Pointed at the sky, waiting for the white boat to turn

Verse 4 / Outro

D G D

Shelter me from the powder and the finger

G A D

Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger

G D

Just think of me as one you’d never figured

G A

Would fade away so young

D G

With so much left undone

A D G A

Remember me to my love, I know I’ll miss her

D G D

Shelter me from the powder and the finger

G A D

Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger

Practice tip: The song’s power comes from its steady, rolling rhythm; practice the D, G, and A chord changes until you can make them without stopping your strumming hand.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

D · G · A · Em

Neil Young’s haunting narrative about a young man facing an impossible situation. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play the chord shapes as written for the original key, or play without a capo for the key of D.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G D

Look out, mama, there’s a white boat coming up the river

G A D

With a big red beacon, and a flag, and a man on the rail

G D

I think you’d better call John

G A D

‘Cause it don’t look like they’re here to deliver the mail

Verse 2

D G D

And it’s less than a mile away, I hope they didn’t come to stay

G A D

It’s got numbers on the side and a gun, and it’s making big waves

G D G

Daddy’s gone, my brother’s out hunting in the mountains

A D

Big John’s been drinking since the river took Emmy-Lou

Chorus

G D A D

So the waves keep on rolling, down the river

G D

Guess I’ll sit here on the shore

A D G

Till I see the white boat, disappear

D A

I never saw powderfinger

D A D

People say it was just a dream

Verse 3

D G D

So the years go by, and the river keeps rolling, south to the sea

G A D

I found out what it means, to be alone, and I learned how to dream

G D

Now I’m twenty-one, I might make twenty-two

G A

And I might live a thousand years, before I’m through

Chorus

G D A D

So the waves keep on rolling, down the river

G D

Guess I’ll sit here on the shore

A D G

Till I see the white boat, disappear

D A

I never saw powderfinger

D A D

People say it was just a dream

Bridge

D G D

Look out, mama, I can see it coming, from my window

G A D

Sun is shining, and the water’s high, down by the bank

G D G A

Daddy’s rifle in my hand, it’s a feeling so unreal

D G A D

Pointed at the sky, waiting for the white boat to turn

Verse 4 / Outro

D G D

Shelter me from the powder and the finger

G A D

Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger

G D

Just think of me as one you’d never figured

G A

Would fade away so young

D G

With so much left undone

A D G A

Remember me to my love, I know I’ll miss her

D G D

Shelter me from the powder and the finger

G A D

Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger

Practice tip: The song’s power comes from its steady, rolling rhythm; practice the D, G, and A chord changes until you can make them without stopping your strumming hand.