One of These Things First — Nick Drake
Chords and lyrics for One of These Things First by Nick Drake (key of E).
Verse 1
Chords Used:
Notes:
In the recording off of Bryter Layter it sounds like Nick is using an open
written out the chords.
Note that the E/D chord is a quick passing chord and may be omitted if
difficult to play at the recorded
speed. Chords my not be exactly in line with lyrics since Mr. Drake tends
to play and sing in more complex
rhythms.
I added a couple alternative chord fingerings on three of the chords that
work musically and might be
easier to move around.
Intro
[E] [F#m7/E] [G#m/E] [E/D] [F#m7/E]
Verse 1
[E]
[F#m7/E]I could have been a [G#m/E]sailor
[F#m7/E]Could have been a [E][F#m7/E]cook[F#m7/E][G#m/E]
[E]
[F#m7/E]A real live lover [G#m/E]
[F#m7/E]Could have been a [E][F#m7/E]book[F#m7/E][G#m/E]
[A]I could have been a signpost
[G]Could have been a clock
[E]As [F#m7/E]simple as [G#m/E]a kettle[F#m7/E]
[E][F#m7/E]Steady as a [G#m/E]rock[F#m7/E]
[G]I could be[F#m]
[E]Here[F#m7/E] and [G#m/E]now[F#m7/E]
[G]I would be, [F#m]I should be
[E]But [F#m7/E]how?[G#m/E]
Chorus
[A]I could have been[F#m]
[E]One [F#m7/E]of these [G#m/E]things first
[A]I could have been[F#m]
[E]One [F#m7/E]of these [G#m/E]things [E/D]first[F#m7/E]
[E] [F#m7/E] [G#m/E] [E/D] [F#m7/E]
Verse 2
[E]
[F#m7/E]I could have been [G#m/E]your pillar
[F#m7/E]Could have been your [E][F#m7/E]door[F#m7/E][G#m/E]
[E]
[F#m7/E]I could have stayed [G#m/E]beside you
[F#m7/E]Could have stayed for [E][F#m7/E]more[F#m7/E][G#m/E]
[A]I could have been your statue
[G]Could have been your friend
[E]A [F#m7/E]whole long [G#m/E]lifetime[F#m7/E]
[E][F#m7/E]Could have [G#m/E]been the [F#m7/E]end
[G]I could be [F#m]
Yours so [E][F#m7/E]true[F#m7/E][G#m/E]
[G]I would be
[F#m]I should be
[E][F#m7/E]Through and [G#m/E]through
Chorus
[A]I could have been[F#m]
One of these things [E][F#m7/E]first[F#m7/E][G#m/E]
[A]I could have been[F#m]
One of these things [E][F#m7/E][G#m/E]first[F#m7/E][E/D]
Instrumental
[E] [F#m7/E] [G#m/E] [E/D] [F#m7/E]
[G]
[F#m]
[E] [F#m7/E] [G#m/E] [F#m7/E]
[G]
[F#m]
[E] [F#m7/E] [G#m/E]
[A]
[F#m]
[E] [F#m7/E] [G#m/E] [E/D] [F#m7/E]
[E] [F#m7/E] [G#m/E] [E/D] [F#m7/E]
Verse 3
[E]
[F#m7/E]I could have been a [G#m/E]whistle
[F#m7/E]Could have been a [E][F#m7/E]flute[F#m7/E][G#m/E]
[E]
[F#m7/E]A real live giver [G#m/E]
[F#m7/E]Could have been a [E][F#m7/E]boot[F#m7/E][G#m/E]
[A]I could have been a signpost
[G]Could have been a clock
[E]As [F#m7/E]simple as [G#m/E]a kettle[F#m7/E]
[E][F#m7/E]Steady as a [G#m/E]rock[F#m7/E]
Chorus 2
[G]I could be [F#m]
[E]Even[F#m7/E] [G#m/E]here[F#m7/E]
[G]I would be, [F#m]I should be
[E]So [F#m7/E]near[G#m/E]
[A]I could have been[F#m]
[E]One [F#m7/E]of these [G#m/E]things first
[A]I could have been[F#m]
[E]One [F#m7/E]of these [G#m/E]things first
Outro
[A]
[F#m]
[E] [F#m7/E] [G#m/E] [E/D] [F#m7/E]
[E]
X