May62020

The Mountain Goats – Scorpio Rising Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression and Tab

The Mountain Goats

Updated January 9, 2026

ChordsEm A D F#m F#Am D7A/G#G#m

KeyKeyCapo

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This is the chords of Scorpio Rising by The Mountain Goats on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard.

[Intro]
Em A D F#m
Em A D F#m

[Verse 1]
Em A D F#m
out in the desert in the last light of day
Em A D F#m
we search for the footprints of bobby beausoleil
Em A D F#m
and there in the desert past the LA county line
Em A D F#m F#
bobby buried the canister in the middle of the night

[Break]
Em A D F#m
Em A D F#m F#

[Bridge]
Em A D F#m
the gears grind on as the van accelerates
Em A D F#m
some things buried deep need to stay that way.

[Chorus]
Am
I’m not alright
D7
I’m not alright
D A A/G# G#m
I’m really not up for the fight.
D A
slow it down.
D F#m D D
slow it down, down down.
D A
slow it down.
D F#m D D
slow it down, down down.
D A
slow it down.
D F#m D D
slow it down, down down.
D A
slow it down.
D F#m D D
slow it down, down down.

How to play Scorpio Rising: key, chords and progression

Scorpio Rising by The Mountain Goats is written in D major (two sharps: F♯, C♯) and moves through 9 chords: Em, A, D, F#m, F#, Am, D7, A/G# and G#m.

Most of the song cycles through Em – A – D – F#m (ii – V – I – iii in D major). In solfa, that is reh – soh – doh – mi. Get these 4 changes smooth and the rest comes quickly.

Good to know: F#m, F# and G#m are played as barre or movable shapes on guitar. Practise the change into them slowly; on piano and ukulele the same chords are easier.