After the Goldrush chords

by Neil Young

After the Goldrush was written by Neil Young - Canadian-American singer-songwriter, musician, and activist.
Recorded: March 12, 1970
Released: August 31, 1970
Album: After the Goldrush
Music: D Major in 4/4 time at 100 bpm
Chords: D, Dsus2, G, A, Bm, C

Chart Legend

Numbered Circles: Fingers used to play chords O: Optional Note
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open X: Don't play string B: Bass Note

After the Goldrush

The Relative Major Key of Em is highlighted - Transpose to any other key.

             
             Dsus2  D          G    Dsus2  D     Dsus2  G    G
Intro: 4/4 | 1      &2&3&4& |     | 1      &2&3  &4     & |     |
                    ↑                      ↑     
                   (Hammer On)            (Hammer On)
 
           D                            G
1. Well, I dreamed I saw the knights in ar-mor com-ing,
           D                   G
   Say-in' some-thing a-bout a queen.
              D                      A
   There were pea-sants sin-gin' and drum-mers drum-min'
           G                 A
   And the ar-cher split the tree.
               Bm                C
   There was a fan-fare blow-in' to the sun
            G                C
   That was float-ing on the breeze. |  𝄎  |
   D                       A
   Look at Mo-ther Na-ture on the run
          C                G
   In the nine-teen se-ven-ties.
   D                       A
   Look at Mo-ther Na-ture on the run
          C                G
   In the nine-teen se-ven-ties. 
 

         D                      G
2. I was ly-ing in a burned out base-ment
          D               G
   With a full moon in my eye
         D              A
   I was hop-ing for re-place-ment
            G                     A
   When the sun burst through the sky
               Bm            C
   There was a band play-ing in my head
         G                  C
   And I felt like get-ting high |  𝄎  |
         D                      A
   I was think-ing about what a friend had said
         C                G
   I was hop-ing it was a lie
   D                      A
   Think-ing about what a friend had said
         C                G
   I was hop-ing it was a lie
   
        
          D     G     D     G     D     A     G     A 
Instr: |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |
    
          Bm    C     G     C           D     A     C
       |     |     |     |     |  𝄎  |     |     |     |
	   
          G     D     A     C     G
       |     |     |     |     |     | 
                                  (Well I)  

          D                        G
3. Well I dreamed I saw the silver space-ships fly-ing
          D                   G
   In the yel-low haze of the sun
              D                     A
   There were child-ren cry-ing and col-ors fly-ing
         G                 A
   All a-round the cho-sen ones
            Bm         C
   All in a dream, all in a dream
       G               C
   The load-ing had be-gun |  𝄎  |
   D                        A
   Fly-ing Mother Na-ture's sil-ver seed
        C               G
   To a new home in the sun
   D                        A
   Fly-ing Mother Na-ture's sil-ver seed
        C              G
   To a new home... |  𝄑  |

Help on reading the song charts

Song Facts

"After the Gold Rush" is a iconic song by Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young. Released in 1970 as the title track of his album, the song is known for its hauntingly beautiful melody and thought-provoking lyrics.

Environmental Themes: The song is known for its enigmatic and metaphorical lyrics. The song touches on various themes, including environmental concerns and a sense of impending change.

Piano-Centric Sound: The song's distinctive sound is characterized by Neil Young's delicate piano playing and his unique high-pitched vocals. The simple yet haunting piano melody adds to the song's ethereal quality.

Apocalyptic Imagery: The lyrics of "After the Gold Rush" contain vivid and somewhat surreal imagery, depicting a dreamlike world filled with mystical elements and apocalyptic scenarios.

Interpretation: Neil Young has been somewhat elusive about the exact meaning behind the song's lyrics, preferring to leave it open to interpretation. This ambiguity has contributed to the song's enduring intrigue.

Cover Versions: The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Dolly Parton, K.D. Lang, and Thom Yorke. Its universal themes and haunting melody make it a favorite for reinterpretation.

Cultural Impact: The song has been featured in various films, TV shows, and commercials, attesting to its lasting impact on popular culture.

Album Success: The album received critical acclaim and has been recognized as one of Neil Young's best works. The song stands out as one of the album's highlights.

Young's Vocal Style: Neil Young's unique and emotive vocal delivery adds depth and emotion to the song's lyrics. His voice, often described as raw and vulnerable, contributes to the song's introspective quality.

Legacy: "After the Gold Rush" remains one of Neil Young's most popular songs. It's often included in lists of the greatest songs of all time and continues to be celebrated by fans and fellow musicians.

Live Performances: Neil Young has performed the song extensively in his live concerts throughout his career. It often elicits a strong response from audiences due to its emotional delivery

Songs by Neil Young on this site: