Anniversary Song chords

by Andy Williams

The Anniversary Song was written by Al Jolson and Saul Chaplin in 1946. It is an adaptation of the 1820 waltz, Waves Of The Danube written by Romanian military band leader and composer - Ion Ivanovic. This version by Andy Williams is featured on his album - Call Me Irresponsible.
Music: Ebm in 3/4 time at ~128 bpm .
Chords: Ebm, Fm, Gb, Abm, Bb7, B6, Db9
Easier in the key of Dm
Chords in Dm: Dm, Em, F, Gm, A7, Bb6, C9

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

Anniversary Song

Capo on 1st fret if playing with the video

The Relative Major Key of Dm is highlighted (F) - Transpose to any other key.

               A7          Dm           Gm           Bb6     A7
Intro: 3/4 ‖      |  𝄎  |     |  𝄎   |      |  𝄎  |       |      ‖
 
   A7                            Dm
1. Oh    How we danced    On the night    We were wed 
      Gm                Dm               A7              Dm
   We vowed    Our true love    Though a word    Was-n't said
       A7                               Dm
   The world was in bloom    There were stars    In the skies
      Gm              Dm              A7               Dm
   Ex-cept    For the few   That were there    In your eyes

        C9                    F
Chorus: Dear as I held you so close in my arms 
        Bb6                     F
        An-gels were sing-ing a hymn to your charms
            Gm                           Em      A7  Dm
        Two hearts gent-ly beat-ing were mur-mur-ing low
            Gm         Dm    A7    Dm
        "My Darl-ing I love  you | so." |  𝄎  |  𝄎  |  𝄎  |
 
       A7                               Dm
3. The night    Seemed to fade    In-to blos-som-ing dawn
       Gm             Dm             A7                 Dm
   The sun    Shone a-new    But the dance    Ling-ered on
         A7                              Dm
   Could we    But re-live    That sweet mo-ment sub-lime
        Gm               Dm            A7          Dm
   We'd find    That our love    Is un-al-tered by time


        C9                    F
Chorus: Dear as I held you so close in my arms 
        Bb6                     F
        An-gels were sing-ing a hymn to your charms
            Gm                           Em      A7  Dm
        Two hearts gent-ly beat-ing were mur-mur-ing low
               Gm         Dm    A7    Dm            Gm    A7    Dm
        "My... Darl-ing I love  you | so." |  𝄎  |     |     |     |

Please Note: When playing Bb6, it may be easier to barre the first fret (strings 1-5). It has no effect on the sound as the notes are all covered by the fingers on the third fret... and it may be a little more comfortable.

Help on reading the song charts

Andy Williams

Born: Howard Andrew Williams on Dec 3, 1927 at Wall Lake, Iowa, United States.
Died: Sept 25, 2012 at Branson, Missouri, United States - aged 84.
Music Styles: Traditional pop, easy listening
Instruments: Vocals
Active Years: 1938 -2012

Achievements:

1963, 1966 and 1967- Andy Williams Show - won 3 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Variety Series.
6 Grammy Nominations from 1959 - 1967.
2008 - Society of Singers Lifetime Achievement Award.
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Starred in 8 Films from 1944 - 2009.
Recorded 43 Studio albums, 2 live albums, 89 singles, with songs included in numerous compilation albums.

Song Facts:

The song was written by Al Jolson and Saul Chaplin in 1946.
The music is based on the Romanian waltz "Waves of the Danube" by Iosif Ivanovici, which was first published in 1880.
The song was originally recorded by Al Jolson and released in 1946.
The song has been covered by many artists, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore, Pat Boone, Joni James, Connie Francis, Eddie Fisher, Tom Jones, Willie Nelson, and Andy Williams (featured artist).
It is a popular choice for wedding anniversaries and other special occasions.
The lyrics of the song are about a couple celebrating their anniversary. They reminisce about the night they were married and how their love has only grown stronger over time.
The song is set to a waltz tempo, which is a traditional dance music that is often associated with romance and love.
The song has been used in several movies including: Dishonored (1931), The Circus Clown (1934,) The Jolson Story (1946), Jolson Sings Again (1949) Blondie's Anniversary (1947), The Anniversary (1968), Mayerling (1968), Falling in Love Again (1980), When Father Was Away on Business (1985), Avalon (1990), Payback (1999), Father and Daughter (2000), and A Guy Thing (2000).
The song is considered a classic of American popular music and is often included in lists of the greatest love songs of all time.

Songs by Andy Williams on this site:

A Time For Us
Anniversary Song
Moon River
More