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I Shall Be Released by Bob Dylan

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    The Chord Progression

    The chord progression for “I Shall Be Released” is quite different than most songs. It doesn’t use the IV or V chord at all. The progression of I, ii, iii, ii, I is repeated throughout the song. The song in the key of A, so the chord progression sounds as A, Bm, C#m, Bm, A.

    To play it just like the original recording you’ll play in the key of G with a capo on the 2nd fret. The use of the capo transposes it so that it sounds in the key of A.

    Verse 1

    G                            Am
    They say everything can be replaced
    Bm        Am               G   
    Yet every distance is not near
    G                   Am
    So I remember every face
    Bm       Am             G   
    Of every man who put me here.

    Chorus

    G                   Am
    I see my light come shining
    Bm       Am            G
    From the west unto the east.
    G
    Any day now,
    Am
    Any day now,
    Bm Am         G
    I   shall be released
    

    Verse 2

    A                           Bm
    They say every man needs protection.
    C#m            Bm       A   E7
    They say every man must fall.
    A                      Bm
    Yet I swear I see my reflection,
    C#m          Bm             A   E7
    Somewhere so high above the wall.

    Verse 3

    A                                Bm
    Well yonder stands a man in this lonely crowd,
    C#m       Bm               A   E7
    A man who swears he not to blame.
    A                           Bm
    All day long I hear him cry shouting loud,
    C#m         Bm             A   E7
    Calling out that he's been framed.