Folk, Rock

After the Gold Rush Chords

Neil Young Beginner Key of D 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

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Key

D

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

D · G · A · Em

After the Gold Rush Chords – Guitar

Neil Young’s haunting, dreamlike ballad from his 1970 album. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

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

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G D

Well, I dreamed I saw the knights in armor coming

A D

Sayin’ something about a queen

D G

There were peasants singing and drummers drumming

A D

And the archer split the tree

D G

There was a fanfare blowing to the sun

A D

That was floating on the breeze

D G A

Look at Mother Nature on the run in the nineteen-seventies

D G A

Look at Mother Nature on the run in the nineteen-seventies

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Verse 2

D G

There was a band playing in my head

D A

And I felt like getting high

D G

I was thinking about what a friend had said

A D

I was hoping it was a lie

D G

Thinking about what a friend had said

A D

I was hoping it was a lie

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Verse 3

D G D

Well, I dreamed I saw the silver spaceships flying

A D

In the yellow haze of the sun

D G

There were children crying and colors flying

A D

All around the chosen ones

D G

All in a dream, all in a dream

A D

The loading had begun

D G A D

They were flying Mother Nature’s silver seed to a new home in the sun

D G A D

Flying Mother Nature’s silver seed to a new home in the sun

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (D, G, A). Practice the D to G transition, as it happens frequently, and strum slowly to match the song’s melancholic pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "After the Gold Rush"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.

Is "After the Gold Rush" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of D, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "After the Gold Rush" in?

It is in the key of D.

Who wrote "After the Gold Rush"?

It was written by Neil Young, and released in 1970.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

D · G · A · Em

After the Gold Rush Chords – Ukulele

Neil Young’s haunting, dreamlike ballad from his 1970 album. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

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

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G D

Well, I dreamed I saw the knights in armor coming

A D

Sayin’ something about a queen

D G

There were peasants singing and drummers drumming

A D

And the archer split the tree

D G

There was a fanfare blowing to the sun

A D

That was floating on the breeze

D G A

Look at Mother Nature on the run in the nineteen-seventies

D G A

Look at Mother Nature on the run in the nineteen-seventies

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Verse 2

D G

There was a band playing in my head

D A

And I felt like getting high

D G

I was thinking about what a friend had said

A D

I was hoping it was a lie

D G

Thinking about what a friend had said

A D

I was hoping it was a lie

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Verse 3

D G D

Well, I dreamed I saw the silver spaceships flying

A D

In the yellow haze of the sun

D G

There were children crying and colors flying

A D

All around the chosen ones

D G

All in a dream, all in a dream

A D

The loading had begun

D G A D

They were flying Mother Nature’s silver seed to a new home in the sun

D G A D

Flying Mother Nature’s silver seed to a new home in the sun

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (D, G, A). Practice the D to G transition, as it happens frequently, and strum slowly to match the song’s melancholic pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "After the Gold Rush"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.

Is "After the Gold Rush" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of D, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "After the Gold Rush" in?

It is in the key of D.

Who wrote "After the Gold Rush"?

It was written by Neil Young, and released in 1970.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

D · G · A · Em

After the Gold Rush Chords – Piano

Neil Young’s haunting, dreamlike ballad from his 1970 album. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

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

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G D

Well, I dreamed I saw the knights in armor coming

A D

Sayin’ something about a queen

D G

There were peasants singing and drummers drumming

A D

And the archer split the tree

D G

There was a fanfare blowing to the sun

A D

That was floating on the breeze

D G A

Look at Mother Nature on the run in the nineteen-seventies

D G A

Look at Mother Nature on the run in the nineteen-seventies

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Verse 2

D G

There was a band playing in my head

D A

And I felt like getting high

D G

I was thinking about what a friend had said

A D

I was hoping it was a lie

D G

Thinking about what a friend had said

A D

I was hoping it was a lie

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Verse 3

D G D

Well, I dreamed I saw the silver spaceships flying

A D

In the yellow haze of the sun

D G

There were children crying and colors flying

A D

All around the chosen ones

D G

All in a dream, all in a dream

A D

The loading had begun

D G A D

They were flying Mother Nature’s silver seed to a new home in the sun

D G A D

Flying Mother Nature’s silver seed to a new home in the sun

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (D, G, A). Practice the D to G transition, as it happens frequently, and strum slowly to match the song’s melancholic pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "After the Gold Rush"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.

Is "After the Gold Rush" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of D, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "After the Gold Rush" in?

It is in the key of D.

Who wrote "After the Gold Rush"?

It was written by Neil Young, and released in 1970.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

D · G · A · Em

After the Gold Rush Chords – Banjo

Neil Young’s haunting, dreamlike ballad from his 1970 album. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

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

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G D

Well, I dreamed I saw the knights in armor coming

A D

Sayin’ something about a queen

D G

There were peasants singing and drummers drumming

A D

And the archer split the tree

D G

There was a fanfare blowing to the sun

A D

That was floating on the breeze

D G A

Look at Mother Nature on the run in the nineteen-seventies

D G A

Look at Mother Nature on the run in the nineteen-seventies

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Verse 2

D G

There was a band playing in my head

D A

And I felt like getting high

D G

I was thinking about what a friend had said

A D

I was hoping it was a lie

D G

Thinking about what a friend had said

A D

I was hoping it was a lie

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Verse 3

D G D

Well, I dreamed I saw the silver spaceships flying

A D

In the yellow haze of the sun

D G

There were children crying and colors flying

A D

All around the chosen ones

D G

All in a dream, all in a dream

A D

The loading had begun

D G A D

They were flying Mother Nature’s silver seed to a new home in the sun

D G A D

Flying Mother Nature’s silver seed to a new home in the sun

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (D, G, A). Practice the D to G transition, as it happens frequently, and strum slowly to match the song’s melancholic pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "After the Gold Rush"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.

Is "After the Gold Rush" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of D, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "After the Gold Rush" in?

It is in the key of D.

Who wrote "After the Gold Rush"?

It was written by Neil Young, and released in 1970.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

D · G · A · Em

After the Gold Rush Chords – Mandolin

Neil Young’s haunting, dreamlike ballad from his 1970 album. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

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

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G D

Well, I dreamed I saw the knights in armor coming

A D

Sayin’ something about a queen

D G

There were peasants singing and drummers drumming

A D

And the archer split the tree

D G

There was a fanfare blowing to the sun

A D

That was floating on the breeze

D G A

Look at Mother Nature on the run in the nineteen-seventies

D G A

Look at Mother Nature on the run in the nineteen-seventies

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Verse 2

D G

There was a band playing in my head

D A

And I felt like getting high

D G

I was thinking about what a friend had said

A D

I was hoping it was a lie

D G

Thinking about what a friend had said

A D

I was hoping it was a lie

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Verse 3

D G D

Well, I dreamed I saw the silver spaceships flying

A D

In the yellow haze of the sun

D G

There were children crying and colors flying

A D

All around the chosen ones

D G

All in a dream, all in a dream

A D

The loading had begun

D G A D

They were flying Mother Nature’s silver seed to a new home in the sun

D G A D

Flying Mother Nature’s silver seed to a new home in the sun

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (D, G, A). Practice the D to G transition, as it happens frequently, and strum slowly to match the song’s melancholic pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "After the Gold Rush"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.

Is "After the Gold Rush" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of D, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "After the Gold Rush" in?

It is in the key of D.

Who wrote "After the Gold Rush"?

It was written by Neil Young, and released in 1970.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

D · G · A · Em

After the Gold Rush Chords – Harmonica

Neil Young’s haunting, dreamlike ballad from his 1970 album. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

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

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G D

Well, I dreamed I saw the knights in armor coming

A D

Sayin’ something about a queen

D G

There were peasants singing and drummers drumming

A D

And the archer split the tree

D G

There was a fanfare blowing to the sun

A D

That was floating on the breeze

D G A

Look at Mother Nature on the run in the nineteen-seventies

D G A

Look at Mother Nature on the run in the nineteen-seventies

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Verse 2

D G

There was a band playing in my head

D A

And I felt like getting high

D G

I was thinking about what a friend had said

A D

I was hoping it was a lie

D G

Thinking about what a friend had said

A D

I was hoping it was a lie

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Verse 3

D G D

Well, I dreamed I saw the silver spaceships flying

A D

In the yellow haze of the sun

D G

There were children crying and colors flying

A D

All around the chosen ones

D G

All in a dream, all in a dream

A D

The loading had begun

D G A D

They were flying Mother Nature’s silver seed to a new home in the sun

D G A D

Flying Mother Nature’s silver seed to a new home in the sun

Chorus

D G

I was lying in a burned out basement

A D

With the full moon in my eyes

D G

I was hoping for replacement

A D

When the sun burst through the sky

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (D, G, A). Practice the D to G transition, as it happens frequently, and strum slowly to match the song’s melancholic pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "After the Gold Rush"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.

Is "After the Gold Rush" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of D, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "After the Gold Rush" in?

It is in the key of D.

Who wrote "After the Gold Rush"?

It was written by Neil Young, and released in 1970.