Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Atap to play
Emtap to play
Key
D
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
D · G · A · Em
Powderfinger Chords – Guitar
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Powderfinger"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.
Is "Powderfinger" 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 "Powderfinger" in?
It is in the key of D.
Who wrote "Powderfinger"?
It was written by Neil Young, and released in 1979.
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
Powderfinger Chords – Ukulele
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Powderfinger"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.
Is "Powderfinger" 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 "Powderfinger" in?
It is in the key of D.
Who wrote "Powderfinger"?
It was written by Neil Young, and released in 1979.
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
Powderfinger Chords – Piano
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Powderfinger"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.
Is "Powderfinger" 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 "Powderfinger" in?
It is in the key of D.
Who wrote "Powderfinger"?
It was written by Neil Young, and released in 1979.
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
Powderfinger Chords – Banjo
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Powderfinger"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.
Is "Powderfinger" 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 "Powderfinger" in?
It is in the key of D.
Who wrote "Powderfinger"?
It was written by Neil Young, and released in 1979.
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
Powderfinger Chords – Mandolin
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Powderfinger"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.
Is "Powderfinger" 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 "Powderfinger" in?
It is in the key of D.
Who wrote "Powderfinger"?
It was written by Neil Young, and released in 1979.
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
Powderfinger Chords – Harmonica
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Powderfinger"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.
Is "Powderfinger" 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 "Powderfinger" in?
It is in the key of D.
Who wrote "Powderfinger"?
It was written by Neil Young, and released in 1979.