Feb142020

Cynthia Erivo – Stand Up Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression and Tab

This is the chords of Stand Up by Cynthia Erivo on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard.

[Intro]
Dm

[Verse 1]
Dm
I been walkin’ with my face turned to the sun
Weight on my shoulders, bullet in my gun
Oh, I got eyes in the back of my head just in case I have to run
I do what I can when I can while I can for my people
G C
While the clouds roll back and the stars fill the night

[Chorus]
Am C Dm
That’s when I’m gonna stand up
C/E F
Take my people with me
C/E C Bb
Together we are going to a brand new home
Am C Dm
Far across the river
C/E F
Can you hear freedom calling?
C/E C
Calling me to answer
Bb
Gonna keep on keepin’ on
Am C Dm
I can feel it in my bones
Dm

[Verse 2]
Dm
Early in the mornin’ before the sun begins to shine. Gonna start movin’ towards that separating line
Dm F/C G/B Bb Am C
I’m wading through muddy waters, you know I got a made-up mind
Dm
And I don’t mind if I lose any blood on the way to salvation
Dm F G G/B C C/Bb
And I’ll fight with the strength that I got until I die

[Chorus 2]
Am7 Dm
So I’m gonna stand up
C/E F
Take my people with me
C Bb
Together we are going to a brand new home
Am C Dm
Far across the river
C/E F
Can you hear freedom calling?
C
Calling me to answer
Bb
Gonna keep on keepin’ on

[Bridge]
Bbmaj7 F
And I know what’s around the bend
A7 Dm F/C
Might be hard to face ’cause I’m alone
Bbmaj7 F
And I just might fail, but Lord knows I tried
A7 A7 A7aug B
Sure as stars fill up the sky

[Chorus]
Em
Stand up
D/F# G
Take my people with me
D C
Together we are going to a brand new home
Bm7 D Em
Far across the river
D/F# G
Can you hear freedom calling?
D
Calling me to answer
C
Gonna keep on keepin’ on

[Chorus]
C7 Fm
I’m gonna stand up
Eb/G Ab
Take my people with me
Eb Db
Together we are going to a brand new home
Cm Eb Fm
Far across the river
Eb/G Ab
Do you hear freedom calling?
Eb
Calling me to answer
Db
Gonna keep on keepin’ on

[Chorus]
C#7 F#m
I’m gonna stand up
E/G# A
Take my people with me
E D
Together we are going to a brand new home
C#m E F#m
Far across the river
E/G# A
I hear freedom calling?
E
Calling me to answer
D
Gonna keep on keepin’ on
C#m E F#m
I can feel it in my bones

[Outro]
F#m9
I go to prepare a place for you

How to play Stand Up: key, chords and progression

Stand Up by Cynthia Erivo keeps coming home to C major (no sharps or flats). You need 33 chords: Dm, G, C, Am, C/E, F, Bb, F/C, G/B, C/Bb, Am7 and Bbmaj7 and 21 more.

Listen for Bb – Am – C – Dm (♭VII – vi – I – ii in C major): the song comes back to it again and again. Once these 4 changes are comfortable, most of the song is done.

Good to know: F, Bb, F/C, Bbmaj7 and B are played as barre or movable shapes on guitar. Practise the change into them slowly; on piano and ukulele the same chords are easier.