Folk, Rock

Lay Lady Lay Chords

Bob Dylan Beginner Key of A 6 Chords 4 min read Updated Jul 2026

Atap to play

C#mtap to play

Gtap to play

Bmtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

A · C#m · G · Bm · D · E

Lay Lady Lay Chords – Guitar

Bob Dylan’s classic, seductive ballad from Nashville Skyline. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Laid-Back Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, D, and Em shapes to sound in the key of A, or play the A, D, and E chords open without a capo.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Whatever colors you have in your mind

E A

I’ll show them to you and you’ll see them shine

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Verse 2

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead

A D

I long to see you in the morning light

E A

I long to reach for you in the night

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Bridge

D A

Why wait any longer for the world to begin?

D A

You can have your cake and eat it too

D A

Why wait any longer for the one you love?

E A

When he’s standing in front of you

Verse 3

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Stay while the night is still ahead

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Outro

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

Practice tip: The song’s groove relies on a steady, relaxed strum. Practice the A, D, and E chord changes slowly until you can move between them without pausing the rhythm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Lay Lady Lay"?

You need 6 beginner-friendly chords: A, C#m, G, Bm, D and E.

Is "Lay Lady Lay" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 6 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Lay Lady Lay" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Lay Lady Lay"?

It was written by Bob Dylan, and released in 1969.

Atap to play

C#mtap to play

Gtap to play

Bmtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

A · C#m · G · Bm · D · E

Lay Lady Lay Chords – Ukulele

Bob Dylan’s classic, seductive ballad from Nashville Skyline. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Laid-Back Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, D, and Em shapes to sound in the key of A, or play the A, D, and E chords open without a capo.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Whatever colors you have in your mind

E A

I’ll show them to you and you’ll see them shine

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Verse 2

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead

A D

I long to see you in the morning light

E A

I long to reach for you in the night

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Bridge

D A

Why wait any longer for the world to begin?

D A

You can have your cake and eat it too

D A

Why wait any longer for the one you love?

E A

When he’s standing in front of you

Verse 3

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Stay while the night is still ahead

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Outro

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

Practice tip: The song’s groove relies on a steady, relaxed strum. Practice the A, D, and E chord changes slowly until you can move between them without pausing the rhythm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Lay Lady Lay"?

You need 6 beginner-friendly chords: A, C#m, G, Bm, D and E.

Is "Lay Lady Lay" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 6 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Lay Lady Lay" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Lay Lady Lay"?

It was written by Bob Dylan, and released in 1969.

Atap to play

C#mtap to play

Gtap to play

Bmtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

A · C#m · G · Bm · D · E

Lay Lady Lay Chords – Piano

Bob Dylan’s classic, seductive ballad from Nashville Skyline. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Laid-Back Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, D, and Em shapes to sound in the key of A, or play the A, D, and E chords open without a capo.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Whatever colors you have in your mind

E A

I’ll show them to you and you’ll see them shine

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Verse 2

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead

A D

I long to see you in the morning light

E A

I long to reach for you in the night

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Bridge

D A

Why wait any longer for the world to begin?

D A

You can have your cake and eat it too

D A

Why wait any longer for the one you love?

E A

When he’s standing in front of you

Verse 3

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Stay while the night is still ahead

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Outro

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

Practice tip: The song’s groove relies on a steady, relaxed strum. Practice the A, D, and E chord changes slowly until you can move between them without pausing the rhythm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Lay Lady Lay"?

You need 6 beginner-friendly chords: A, C#m, G, Bm, D and E.

Is "Lay Lady Lay" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 6 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Lay Lady Lay" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Lay Lady Lay"?

It was written by Bob Dylan, and released in 1969.

Atap to play

C#mtap to play

Gtap to play

Bmtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

A · C#m · G · Bm · D · E

Lay Lady Lay Chords – Banjo

Bob Dylan’s classic, seductive ballad from Nashville Skyline. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Laid-Back Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, D, and Em shapes to sound in the key of A, or play the A, D, and E chords open without a capo.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Whatever colors you have in your mind

E A

I’ll show them to you and you’ll see them shine

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Verse 2

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead

A D

I long to see you in the morning light

E A

I long to reach for you in the night

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Bridge

D A

Why wait any longer for the world to begin?

D A

You can have your cake and eat it too

D A

Why wait any longer for the one you love?

E A

When he’s standing in front of you

Verse 3

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Stay while the night is still ahead

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Outro

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

Practice tip: The song’s groove relies on a steady, relaxed strum. Practice the A, D, and E chord changes slowly until you can move between them without pausing the rhythm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Lay Lady Lay"?

You need 6 beginner-friendly chords: A, C#m, G, Bm, D and E.

Is "Lay Lady Lay" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 6 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Lay Lady Lay" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Lay Lady Lay"?

It was written by Bob Dylan, and released in 1969.

Atap to play

C#mtap to play

Gtap to play

Bmtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

A · C#m · G · Bm · D · E

Lay Lady Lay Chords – Mandolin

Bob Dylan’s classic, seductive ballad from Nashville Skyline. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Laid-Back Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, D, and Em shapes to sound in the key of A, or play the A, D, and E chords open without a capo.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Whatever colors you have in your mind

E A

I’ll show them to you and you’ll see them shine

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Verse 2

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead

A D

I long to see you in the morning light

E A

I long to reach for you in the night

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Bridge

D A

Why wait any longer for the world to begin?

D A

You can have your cake and eat it too

D A

Why wait any longer for the one you love?

E A

When he’s standing in front of you

Verse 3

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Stay while the night is still ahead

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Outro

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

Practice tip: The song’s groove relies on a steady, relaxed strum. Practice the A, D, and E chord changes slowly until you can move between them without pausing the rhythm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Lay Lady Lay"?

You need 6 beginner-friendly chords: A, C#m, G, Bm, D and E.

Is "Lay Lady Lay" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 6 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Lay Lady Lay" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Lay Lady Lay"?

It was written by Bob Dylan, and released in 1969.

Atap to play

C#mtap to play

Gtap to play

Bmtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

A · C#m · G · Bm · D · E

Lay Lady Lay Chords – Harmonica

Bob Dylan’s classic, seductive ballad from Nashville Skyline. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Laid-Back Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, D, and Em shapes to sound in the key of A, or play the A, D, and E chords open without a capo.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Whatever colors you have in your mind

E A

I’ll show them to you and you’ll see them shine

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Verse 2

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead

A D

I long to see you in the morning light

E A

I long to reach for you in the night

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Bridge

D A

Why wait any longer for the world to begin?

D A

You can have your cake and eat it too

D A

Why wait any longer for the one you love?

E A

When he’s standing in front of you

Verse 3

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Stay while the night is still ahead

Chorus

A D

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile

A E

Until the break of day, let me see you smile

A D

For your clothes are still on and your hair is still down

E A

And you’ve still got time to leave this town

Outro

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A D

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

A E

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed

Practice tip: The song’s groove relies on a steady, relaxed strum. Practice the A, D, and E chord changes slowly until you can move between them without pausing the rhythm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Lay Lady Lay"?

You need 6 beginner-friendly chords: A, C#m, G, Bm, D and E.

Is "Lay Lady Lay" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 6 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Lay Lady Lay" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Lay Lady Lay"?

It was written by Bob Dylan, and released in 1969.