Changing of the guards
G ~
Em - G D
1. Sixteen years, sixteen banners united
Em C
D
over
the fields, while the good shepherd grieves.
Em G D
Desperate men, desperate women
divided,
Em C D
G
spreading
their wings 'neath the falling leaves.
Em G
D
2. Fortune calls, I stepped forth from the shadows
Em C D
to
the marketplace, merchants and thieves, hungry for power.
Em G
D
My last deal gone down, she's smelling sweet like the meadows
Em C D G
where
she was born, on midsummer's eve, near the tower.
+ G - D - C (3x) + G
Em G
D
3. The cold-blooded moon, the captain waits above the celebration,
Em C
D
sending
his thoughts to a beloved maid.
Em G
D
Whose ebony face is beyond communication,
Em C
D G
the
captain is down but still believing that his love will be repaid.
Em G D
4. They shaved her head, she was torn between
Jupiter and Apollo,
Em C D
a
messenger arrived with a black nightingale.
Em G D
I seen her on the stairs and I
couldn't help but follow,
Em C D G
follow
her down past the fountain where they lifted her veil.
+ G - D - C (3x) + G
Em G D
5. I stumbled to my feet, I rode past
destruction in the ditches
Em C D
with
the stitches still mending 'neath a heart-shaped
tattoo.
Em - G D
Renegade priests and treacherous young witches,
Em C D G
were
handing out the flowers that I'd given to you.
Em G
D
6. The palace of mirrors, where dog soldiers are reflected,
Em C D
the
endless road and the wailing of chimes.
Em - G D
The empty rooms where her memory is protected,
Em
C D G
where
the angels' voices whisper to the souls of previous times.
+ G - D - C (3x) + G
Em G D
7. She wakes him up forty-eight hours later, the sun is breaking
Em C D
near
broken chains, mountain laurel and rolling rocks.
Em
G D
She's begging to know what
measures he now will be taking,
Em C D
G
he's
pulling her down and she's clutching on to his long golden locks.
Em G D
8. Gentlemen, he said, I don't need your organization,
Em
I've shined your shoes,
C D
I've moved your mountains and
marked your cards.
Em - G D
But Eden is burning,
either get brave for elimination,
Em
or
else your hearts must have the courage
C D G
for
the changing of the guards.
+ G - D - C (3x) + G
Em G
D
9. Peace will come with tranquility and splendor
Em C D
on
the wheels of fire, but will offer no reward,
Em - G D
when
her false idols fall, and cruel
death surrenders
Em
with
its pale ghost retreating
C D G
between
the King and the Queen of Swords.
+ instrumental = verse 9
+ G - D - C (3x) ....
(orig. = capo 1st) (Bob Dylan)