A Thousand Years chords

by Christina Perri

Song Key: Bb Major

Capo: 1st fret (Play using Key of A Major shapes)

Chords Used: A, Asus4, Bm7, D, Dsus2, E, Esus4, F#m7

Time Signature: 6/8

Tempo: 50 bpm

Tuning: Standard (E A D G B e)

Skill Level: Beginner

Arrangement 6/8 Time Song Details
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
A Major Asus4 EMajor Esus4 D Major Dsus2 F#m7 barre chord F#m7 Bm7 Bm7 barre chord
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
A Major-LH Asus4-LH E Major-LH Esus4-LH D Major-LH Dsus2-LH F#m7 barre chord-LH F#m7-LH Bm7-LH Bm7 barre chord-LH
Play-Along Video
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A Thousand Years chords & lyrics

Capo on 1 if playing with the video.
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
 
              A     A     E    F#m7   F#m7   E     D     D     A     E
Intro: 6/8 ‖      |    -     |      |      -    |     |     |     |     ‖  
   
   Dsus2                           A
1. Heart beats fast    Col-ors and pro-mi-ses
             F#m7              E         A 
   How to be brave   How can I love when I'm
     D                                 A
   A-fraid to fall   But watch-ing you stand a-lone
             F#m7                E      A        Bm7
   All of my doubt    Sud-den-ly goes a-way some-how
   Bm7      F#m7    E     
   One step clo  -  ser...

        A
Chorus: I have died ev-'ry day    Wait-ing for you
        F#m7                            A
        Dar-ling don't be afraid I have loved you
              D
        For a thou-sand years
                            Asus4   A      Esus4   E     D     E     D
        I'll love you for a thou -  sand | more  -    |     -     |     |

    Dsus2                           A
 2. Time stands still    Beau-ty in all she is
              F#m7                E     A 
    I will be brave    I will not let a-ny-thing
    Dsus2                             A 
    Take a-way    What's stand-ing in front of me
            F#m7              E        A       Bm7
    Ev-e-ry breath    Ev-e-ry hour has come to this
    Bm7      F#m7    E
    One step clo  -  ser...

        A
Chorus: I have died ev-'ry day    Wait-ing for you
        F#m7                            A
        Dar-ling don't be afraid I have loved you
              D
        For a thou-sand years
                            Asus4   A     E
        I'll love you for a thou  - sand  more

            A
Chorus: And all a-long I be-lieved    I would find you
        F#m7                                     A
        Time has brought your heart to me I have loved you
              D
        For a thou-sand years
                            Asus4   A     E
        I'll love you for a thou  - sand  more
        
          A     A     F#m7     F#m7    E     D     D    D     E     E     Bm7
Instr: ‖     |     |        |        -    |     |     |    -     |     |       ‖

   Bm7      F#m7    E        Bm7
** One step clo  -  ser   |       |
   Bm7    E      F#m7    E
   One    step   clo  -  ser...

        A
Chorus: I have died ev-'ry day    Wait-ing for you
        F#m7                            A
        Dar-ling don't be afraid I have loved you
              D
        For a thou-sand years
                            Asus4   A     E 
        I'll love you for a thou -  sand  more

            A
Chorus: And all a-long I be-lieved    I would find you
        F#m7                                     A
        Time has brought Your heart to me I have loved you
              D
        For a thou-sand years
                              Asus4   A      Esus4   E  
        I'll love you for a | thou -  sand | more  -    |
        
          D           A           D          F#m7     E    Dsus2
Outro: ‖     |  %  |     |  %  |     |  %  |       |     |       ‖

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: Bb Major - 2 flats (Bb, Eb)
  • Piano Chord Set: Bb, Bbsus4, Cm7, Eb, Ebsus2, F, Fsus, Gm7
  • Time Signature: 6/8 (6 eighth note beats per measure)
  • Tempo: Moderately
  • Metronome: ♩. = 50
  • Voice Range: F3 - C5

6/8 Time Explained

1. The Descriptive explanation
In music theory, 6/8 is classified as Compound Duple time:
  • "Duple" means there are 2 main pulse beats per measure (you count ONE, two).
  • "Compound" means each of those main beats is divided into 3 eighth notes (1-2-3, 4-5-6).
Therefore:
  • Time Signature: 6/8 (2 main beats per measure, each divided into 3 eighth notes)
  • Feel: A swaying "1-2-3, 2-2-3" rhythm (or ONE-two-three, FOUR-five-six)

2. The Mathematical / Metronome Explanation

In 6/8 time, a dotted quarter note (♩.) represents one full main pulse (3 eighth notes added together: 1⁄8 + 1⁄8 + 1⁄8 = 3⁄8

Here is how the math breaks down between the main pulse and the individual eighth notes:
Note Value Relationship Metronome Calculation
Dotted Quarter Note(♩.) Main Beat Pulse ♩. = 50 bpm
Eighth Note (♪) Sub-division (3 per beat) 50 x 3

Therefore:
  • Time Signature: 6/8 (Compound Duple — 2 main beats per measure)
  • Tempo / Metronome: ♩. = 50 bpm (or set metronome to ♪ = 150 bpm if you want the beat to sound on every eighth note.)

Song Details:

Christina Perri
Christina Perri
  • Songwriters: Christina Perri, David Hodges
  • Lyrics Begin: Heart beats fast, colors and promises; how to be brave, how can I love when I'm afraid to fall
  • Genre: Pop
  • Featured Artist: Christina Perri
  • Single:
    Recorded: 2011
    Released: October 18, 2011
  • Album: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
    Recorded: Various times
    Released: November 8, 2011
Song Title / Artist Capo Key Core Chords
Say Something - A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera - D D, Bm, Em, G, A
I'll Be Seeing You - Iam Tongi +2 A A, Bm, D, E, F#m
Dancing On My Own - Calum Scott +1 C C, F, G, Am7
Everyone's Waiting - Missy Higgins - D D, G, A, Em, Bm
Someone Like You - Adele - A A, C#m, F#m, D, E, Bm
Young and Beautiful - Lana Del Ray - D D, G, A, Bm, C
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