Murder by Death – Alas Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression and Tab

Murder by Death – Alas Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression and Tab

ChordsGDBmAD/F#A7sus4

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This is the chord progression of Alas by Murder by Death on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard.

[Intro]
G D Bm D G D Bm

[Verse]
G             D           Bm           D
Maybe you’re right, I’m no good
G           D                               Bm                               D
Got a heart made of glass and a head made of wood
G                     D                     A                     D
Let me make it clear, when I’m gone, I’m gone
G                               D                     A                     D
The night’s just the night and there’s no coming dawn

[Chorus]
Bm                     D
When shall I return?
G                               D
I confess I don’t know
Bm                     D
What’s around the bend?
G                               D
What’s left to unfold?
Bm                               D                     G                               D
I could promise you the moon brought down with a lasso
Bm           D           G           D
I need to stay, but alas I must go
D G D A

[Verse]
G           D                               Bm                     D
Back in the stark woods behind your old house
G                               D           Bm                     D
I buried something that’ll leave you no doubt
G                     D           A           D
Something to prove myself to you
G           D                     A                     D
Half is a lie, but the good part’s true

[Chorus]
Bm                     D
When shall I return?
G                     D
I confess I don’t know
Bm                               D
What’s around the bend?
G                     D
What’s left to unfold?
Bm                     D                     G                                         D
I could promise you the moon brought down with a lasso
Bm           D                     G           D
I need to stay, but alas I must go
Bm                     D           G                               D
Maybe you should move on, and I’ll go it alone

[Interlude]
Bm G D D
Bm G D A (2x)
Bm G A D

[Bridge]
G                                                   D
Out in the barren field where we first met
(Continue to hold D)
Full of decay from a life in the red
G                     A           Bm           D
Oaths that I broke, the money I spent
G                     D/F#           A7sus4                     D
Couldn’t make it work, couldn’t even make rent
G                               A                    Bm           D
All the people I forgot that I knew, that I met
G           D/F#           A7sus4           D
Maybe my life will repay the debt

G           D           G           D
I need to stay, I need to stay
G Bm G D
I need to stay, but alas I must go
G D G D
Thought you wanted me to stay, but you need me to go
G D
I just want to say
G D
Now I finally know

[Interlude]
Bm D/F# Bm D/F# A7sus4 (5x)

[Outro]
D
Bm G A D
Bm G A D
Alas, I must go
Bm G A D
Alas, I must go
Bm G A D
Alas, I must go

How to play Alas: key, chords and progression

Alas by Murder by Death is built around D major (two sharps: F♯, C♯), with 6 chords in all: G, D, Bm, A, D/F# and A7sus4.

Listen for D – Bm – D – G (I – vi – I – IV in D major): the song comes back to it again and again. In solfa, that is doh – lah – doh – fah. Once these 4 changes are comfortable, most of the song is done.

Beginner-friendly: almost every chord here is an open shape on guitar: no capo, no barre chords needed.

Chord diagrams

G chord on guitar (320003)
GG B D
D chord on guitar (xx0232)
DD F♯ A
Bm chord on guitar (x24432)
BmB D F♯
A chord on guitar (x02220)
AA C♯ E
A7sus4 chord on guitar (x02030)
A7sus4A D E G

Need another chord or a different shape? Feel free to use our free Chord Shape Generator.

Alas chords: questions

What key is Alas in?

Alas by Murder by Death is centred on D major (two sharps: F♯, C♯).

What chords are in Alas?

Alas uses 6 chords: G, D, Bm, A, D/F#, A7sus4.

What is the chord progression of Alas?

The main progression is D – Bm – D – G (I – vi – I – IV).

Is Alas easy to play on guitar?

Yes. Almost every chord is an open chord, so it suits beginners.

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