search
Don Quixote
Gordon Lightfoot
Text File
#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the #
#song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research. #
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------##
DON QUIXOTE - Gordon Lightfoot From the album Don Quixote, on
Warner/Reprise record and CD(!)
(c) 1972,Moose Music, LTD Mistakes (c), me! :-)
Notes:
-----
Although several songbooks have written this song out in the key of C,
Lightfoot *ALWAYS* uses a capo. For this song, the capo is used on the second fret and the chords are
"normally". They *sound* a whole step higher. Is this confusing? Just put a capo on the 2nd fret, pop on
record or CD, and play along!!! You'll sound fine and in tune!!!
Listen how the song pulses on the A string rhythmically -- feel that galloping horse.
The chorus changes from the E/A, D/A, A pattern the second time round, to the "normal" E, A, D chords.
should too, if you want to sound authentic.
Fingerpick the song using your thumb, index, and middle fingers. That's how The Man does it.
Have fun!!!
The Chords:
----------
The names may be a bit wrong since it's getting late, but the chord forms are correct. The numbers
with the recommended finger to use, starting with 1=index, etc... Advanced players choose your own. :-) Look
for the "1"'s -- they get lost in the text easily../
A D(A bass) E(A bass) E
(D/A) (E/A)
=========== =========== =========== ===========
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | 1 1 1 | | | 1 1 1 | | | 1 1 1 | | 2 3 | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
E7(A bass) D E7
(E7/A)
=========== =========== =========== ===========
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | 1 1 1 | | | | 1 | 2 | 2 3 | | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | 2 | | | | | 3 | | | | | 4 | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
The Song:
--------
Intro/fill: (Gord's part) (BIG kudos to anyone who posts or emails me Red
---------- Shea's original -- I can't get the rhythm right and I don't
like Terry's way so much)
A, D/A, A, A, E7/A, A
Verses, Choruses:
----------------
A D/A A E/A A
Through the woodland through the valley comes a horseman wild and free
D/A A E/A A
Tilting at the windmills passing who can the brave young horseman be
D/A A E/A A
He is wild but he is mellow, he is strong but he is weak
D/A A E/A A A E7/A A
He is cruel but he is gentle, he is wise but he is meek
E/A D/A A
Reaching for his saddlebags he takes a battered book into his hand
E/A D/A A
Standing like prophet bold he shouts across the ocean to the shore
E E7
Till he can shout no more
A D/A A E/A A
I have come o'er moor and mountain like a hawk upon the wing
D/A A E/A A
I was once a shining knight who was the guardian of a king
D/A A E/A A
I have searched the whole world over, looking for a place to sleep
D/A A E/A A
I have seen the strong survive and I have seen the lean grow weak
Intro chords: A, D/A, A, A, E7/A, A
A D/A A E/A A
See the children of the earth who wake to find the table bare
D/A A E/A A A E7/A A
See the gentry in the country riding off to take the air
E D A
Reaching for his saddlebags he takes a rusty sword into his hand
E D A
Then striking up a knightly pose he shouts across the ocean to the shore
E E7
Till he can shout no more
A D/A A E/A A
See the jailer with his key who locks away all trace of sin
D/A A E/A A
See the judge upon the bench who tries the case as best he can
D/A A E/A A
See the wise and wicked ones who feed upon life's sacred fire
D/A A E/A A
See the soldier with his gun who must be dead to be admired
Intro chords: A, D/A, A, A, E7/A, A
A D/A A E/A A
See the man who tips the needle, see the man who buys and sells
D/A A E/A A
See the one who puts the collar on the ones who dare not tell
D/A A E/A A
See the drunkard in the tavern stemming gold to make ends meet
D/A A E/A A A E7/A A
See the youth in ghetto black condemned to life upon the street
E D A
Reaching for his saddlebags he takes a tarnished cross into his hand
E D A
Then standing like a preacher now he shouts across the ocean to the shore
E D A
Then in a blaze of tangled hooves he gallops off across the dusty plain
E D
In vain to search again, where no one will hear (pause)
A D/A A E/A A
Through the woodland through the valley comes a horseman wild and free
D/A A E/A A
Tilting at the windmills passing who can the brave young horseman be
D/A A E/A A
He is wild but he is mellow, he is strong but he is weak
D/A A E/A A
He is cruel but he is gentle, he is wise but he is meek
Intro chords: A, D/A, A, A, E7/A, A
![chord popup]()
