Rock

Franklins Tower Chords

Grateful Dead Beginner Key of A 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

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Gtap to play

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Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

A · G · D · E

Franklins Tower Chords – Guitar

A classic Grateful Dead song with a rolling, optimistic feel. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song uses a simple three-chord progression; focus on keeping a steady, relaxed rhythm.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

In another time’s forgotten space

Your eyes looked from your mother’s face

D A

Wildflower seed on the sand and stone

E A

May the four winds blow you safely home

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Verse 2

A

Some come to laugh their past away

Some come to make it just one more day

D A

Whichever way your pleasure tends

E A

If you plant ice you’re gonna harvest wind

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Verse 3

A

I’ll tell you where the four winds dwell

In Franklin’s Tower there hangs a bell

D A

It can ring, turn night to day

E A

And it can ring like fire when you pray

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Bridge

A

Got no dime but I got some time to hear his story

D A E A

My mind is open, my feet are bare

A

Got no dime but I got some time to hear his story

D A E A

My mind is open, my feet are bare

Verse 4

A

In another time’s forgotten space

Your eyes looked from your mother’s face

D A

Wildflower seed on the sand and stone

E A

May the four winds blow you safely home

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Practice tip: The song’s groove comes from the consistent strumming pattern; practice the A-D-A-E-A progression slowly until you can switch chords without stopping the strum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Franklins Tower"?

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

Is "Franklins Tower" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Franklins Tower" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Franklins Tower"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, Bill Kreutzmann, and released in 1975.

Atap to play

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

A · G · D · E

Franklins Tower Chords – Ukulele

A classic Grateful Dead song with a rolling, optimistic feel. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song uses a simple three-chord progression; focus on keeping a steady, relaxed rhythm.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

In another time’s forgotten space

Your eyes looked from your mother’s face

D A

Wildflower seed on the sand and stone

E A

May the four winds blow you safely home

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Verse 2

A

Some come to laugh their past away

Some come to make it just one more day

D A

Whichever way your pleasure tends

E A

If you plant ice you’re gonna harvest wind

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Verse 3

A

I’ll tell you where the four winds dwell

In Franklin’s Tower there hangs a bell

D A

It can ring, turn night to day

E A

And it can ring like fire when you pray

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Bridge

A

Got no dime but I got some time to hear his story

D A E A

My mind is open, my feet are bare

A

Got no dime but I got some time to hear his story

D A E A

My mind is open, my feet are bare

Verse 4

A

In another time’s forgotten space

Your eyes looked from your mother’s face

D A

Wildflower seed on the sand and stone

E A

May the four winds blow you safely home

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Practice tip: The song’s groove comes from the consistent strumming pattern; practice the A-D-A-E-A progression slowly until you can switch chords without stopping the strum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Franklins Tower"?

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

Is "Franklins Tower" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Franklins Tower" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Franklins Tower"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, Bill Kreutzmann, and released in 1975.

Atap to play

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

A · G · D · E

Franklins Tower Chords – Piano

A classic Grateful Dead song with a rolling, optimistic feel. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song uses a simple three-chord progression; focus on keeping a steady, relaxed rhythm.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

In another time’s forgotten space

Your eyes looked from your mother’s face

D A

Wildflower seed on the sand and stone

E A

May the four winds blow you safely home

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Verse 2

A

Some come to laugh their past away

Some come to make it just one more day

D A

Whichever way your pleasure tends

E A

If you plant ice you’re gonna harvest wind

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Verse 3

A

I’ll tell you where the four winds dwell

In Franklin’s Tower there hangs a bell

D A

It can ring, turn night to day

E A

And it can ring like fire when you pray

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Bridge

A

Got no dime but I got some time to hear his story

D A E A

My mind is open, my feet are bare

A

Got no dime but I got some time to hear his story

D A E A

My mind is open, my feet are bare

Verse 4

A

In another time’s forgotten space

Your eyes looked from your mother’s face

D A

Wildflower seed on the sand and stone

E A

May the four winds blow you safely home

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Practice tip: The song’s groove comes from the consistent strumming pattern; practice the A-D-A-E-A progression slowly until you can switch chords without stopping the strum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Franklins Tower"?

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

Is "Franklins Tower" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Franklins Tower" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Franklins Tower"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, Bill Kreutzmann, and released in 1975.

Atap to play

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

A · G · D · E

Franklins Tower Chords – Banjo

A classic Grateful Dead song with a rolling, optimistic feel. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song uses a simple three-chord progression; focus on keeping a steady, relaxed rhythm.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

In another time’s forgotten space

Your eyes looked from your mother’s face

D A

Wildflower seed on the sand and stone

E A

May the four winds blow you safely home

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Verse 2

A

Some come to laugh their past away

Some come to make it just one more day

D A

Whichever way your pleasure tends

E A

If you plant ice you’re gonna harvest wind

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Verse 3

A

I’ll tell you where the four winds dwell

In Franklin’s Tower there hangs a bell

D A

It can ring, turn night to day

E A

And it can ring like fire when you pray

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Bridge

A

Got no dime but I got some time to hear his story

D A E A

My mind is open, my feet are bare

A

Got no dime but I got some time to hear his story

D A E A

My mind is open, my feet are bare

Verse 4

A

In another time’s forgotten space

Your eyes looked from your mother’s face

D A

Wildflower seed on the sand and stone

E A

May the four winds blow you safely home

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Practice tip: The song’s groove comes from the consistent strumming pattern; practice the A-D-A-E-A progression slowly until you can switch chords without stopping the strum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Franklins Tower"?

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

Is "Franklins Tower" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Franklins Tower" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Franklins Tower"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, Bill Kreutzmann, and released in 1975.

Atap to play

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

A · G · D · E

Franklins Tower Chords – Mandolin

A classic Grateful Dead song with a rolling, optimistic feel. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song uses a simple three-chord progression; focus on keeping a steady, relaxed rhythm.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

In another time’s forgotten space

Your eyes looked from your mother’s face

D A

Wildflower seed on the sand and stone

E A

May the four winds blow you safely home

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Verse 2

A

Some come to laugh their past away

Some come to make it just one more day

D A

Whichever way your pleasure tends

E A

If you plant ice you’re gonna harvest wind

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Verse 3

A

I’ll tell you where the four winds dwell

In Franklin’s Tower there hangs a bell

D A

It can ring, turn night to day

E A

And it can ring like fire when you pray

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Bridge

A

Got no dime but I got some time to hear his story

D A E A

My mind is open, my feet are bare

A

Got no dime but I got some time to hear his story

D A E A

My mind is open, my feet are bare

Verse 4

A

In another time’s forgotten space

Your eyes looked from your mother’s face

D A

Wildflower seed on the sand and stone

E A

May the four winds blow you safely home

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Practice tip: The song’s groove comes from the consistent strumming pattern; practice the A-D-A-E-A progression slowly until you can switch chords without stopping the strum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Franklins Tower"?

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

Is "Franklins Tower" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Franklins Tower" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Franklins Tower"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, Bill Kreutzmann, and released in 1975.

Atap to play

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

A · G · D · E

Franklins Tower Chords – Harmonica

A classic Grateful Dead song with a rolling, optimistic feel. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song uses a simple three-chord progression; focus on keeping a steady, relaxed rhythm.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

In another time’s forgotten space

Your eyes looked from your mother’s face

D A

Wildflower seed on the sand and stone

E A

May the four winds blow you safely home

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Verse 2

A

Some come to laugh their past away

Some come to make it just one more day

D A

Whichever way your pleasure tends

E A

If you plant ice you’re gonna harvest wind

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Verse 3

A

I’ll tell you where the four winds dwell

In Franklin’s Tower there hangs a bell

D A

It can ring, turn night to day

E A

And it can ring like fire when you pray

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Bridge

A

Got no dime but I got some time to hear his story

D A E A

My mind is open, my feet are bare

A

Got no dime but I got some time to hear his story

D A E A

My mind is open, my feet are bare

Verse 4

A

In another time’s forgotten space

Your eyes looked from your mother’s face

D A

Wildflower seed on the sand and stone

E A

May the four winds blow you safely home

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Chorus

D A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

D A E A

Roll away the dew, roll away the dew

Practice tip: The song’s groove comes from the consistent strumming pattern; practice the A-D-A-E-A progression slowly until you can switch chords without stopping the strum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Franklins Tower"?

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

Is "Franklins Tower" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Franklins Tower" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Franklins Tower"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, Bill Kreutzmann, and released in 1975.