[Intro]
C G F
C G F
[Verse]
C G
Now and then she rereads the manuscript
F
Of the entire torrid affair
C
They compared their licenses
G
He said, "I'm not a donor but
F
I'd give you my heart if you needed it"
C
She rolled her eyes and said
G
"You're a professional"
F
He said, "No, just a good samaritan"
C G
He said that if the sex was half as good as the conversation was
F
Soon they'd be pushin' strollers
C
But soon it was over
[Instrumental]
G F
C G F
[Verse]
C G
In the age of him, she wished she was thirty
F
And made coffee every morning in a Frеnch press
C G
Afterwards she only atе kids' cereal
F
And couldn't sleep unless it was in her mother's bed
C G
Then she dated boys who were her own age
F
With dart boards on the backs of their doors
C G
She thought about how he said since she was so wise beyond her years
F
Everything had been above board
C
She wasn't sure
[Instrumental]
G F
C G F
[Bridge]
G
And the years passed
Am F
Like scenes of a show
G Am F
The Professor said to write what you know
G
Lookin' backwards
C G F
Might be the only way to move forward
G
Then the actors
Am F
Were hitting their marks
G
And the slow dance
Am F
Was alight with the sparks
G
And the tears fell
C G F
In synchronicity with the score
G
And at last
C G F
She knew what the agony had been for
[Verse]
C G
The only thing that's left is the manuscript
F
One last souvenir from my trip to your shores
C G
Now and then I reread the manuscript
F
But the story isn't mine anymore
How to play "The Manuscript" by Taylor Swift on guitar
Playing Style: Emphasize a clear and expressive delivery
throughout the song, particularly focusing on the
emotional weight of the lyrics.
[Intro]
- Use a simple strumming pattern: Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up.
This pattern is both reflective and rhythmic.
C -> G -> F
C -> G -> F
[Verse]
- Continue the strumming pattern established in the intro.
Pay attention to the lyrical phrasing to enhance the
storytelling.
"Now and then she rereads the manuscript..."
C -> G -> F
[Instrumental]
- Keep the same chord progression as the verse but allow
some chords to ring out to provide a break in the vocal
narrative.
G -> F -> C -> G -> F
[Bridge]
- Change the dynamics here to build tension. Use a
combination of strumming and letting chords ring.
"And the years passed, Like scenes of a show..."
G -> Am -> F -> G -> Am -> F
"Then the actors, Were hitting their marks..."
G -> Am -> F -> G -> C -> G -> F
[Verse]
- Return to the strumming pattern from earlier verses.
Close the song with a reflective tone on the lyrics.
"The only thing that's left is the manuscript..."
C -> G -> F
General Tips:
- Tuning: Standard tuning (E A D G B E) is appropriate for
this song.
- Practice the chord changes to ensure smooth transitions
that match the lyrical flow of the song.
- Emphasize emotional expression over technical complexity
to truly convey the song's narrative.
Lyrics Meaning:
"The Manuscript" explores themes of reflection and
nostalgia, with a narrative that delves into past
relationships and personal growth. The manuscript serves
as a metaphor for memories and experiences that shape one's
identity, ultimately highlighting the process of letting go
and moving forward with newfound understanding.