[Intro]
E
[Verse 1]
E
Don't let the old man in,
A
I wanna leave this alone
B7
Can't leave it up to him,
E
He's knocking on my door
[Verse 2]
E
And I knew all of my life,
A
that someday it would end
B7
Get up and go outside,
E
Don't let the old man in
[Bridge]
A
Many moons I have lived
E
My body's weathered and worn
F#
Ask yourself how old you'd be
B7
If you didn't know the day you were born
[Verse 3]
E
Try to love on your wife
A
And stay close to your friends
B7
Toast each sundown with wine
E
Don't let the old man in
[Instrumental guitar]
E A B7 E
[Instrumental slide guitar]
E A B7 E
[Bridge]
A
Many moons I have lived
E
My body's weathered and worn
F#
Ask yourself how old you'd be
B7
If you didn't know the day you were born
[Verse 4]
E
When he rides up on his horse
A
And you feel that cold bitter wind
B7
Look out your window and smile
E
Don't let the old man in
[Outro]
B7
Look out your window and smile
E
Don't let the old man in...
How to play "Don't Let The Old Man In" by Willie Nelson on guitar
Intro & Verse Chord Progression:
- Begin with E major to establish the reflective mood of the song.
- Maintain E major throughout each verse, adding A major and B7 at key lyrical
moments to emphasize the narrative.
Playing the Chords:
- E major: Index on 1st fret G, middle on 2nd fret A, and ring on 2nd fret D.
- A major: Index on 2nd fret D, middle on 2nd fret G, and ring on 2nd fret B.
- B7: Index on 1st fret D, middle on 2nd fret A, and ring on 2nd fret G,
with pinky on 2nd fret high E.
- F#: Barre the 2nd fret entirely and place ring on 4th fret A, pinky on 4th fret D.
Strumming Pattern:
- Use a gentle strumming pattern, mainly downstrokes at a relaxed tempo,
reflecting the contemplative nature of the lyrics.
Bridge Dynamics:
- The bridge introduces F# major, offering a contrast to the mostly E major verses.
- This shift in harmony underlines the introspective lyrics about life’s longevity.
Common Mistakes:
- Overstrumming can overpower the song's introspective nature. Keep your strumming
controlled and reflective of the song's mood.
- Ensure clean transitions between the F# and B7 chords, as they frame important
lyrical concepts.
Instrumental Sections:
- Use the verse's chord progression (E-A-B7-E) to guide your playing,
allowing space for expressive solo guitar work.
Outro:
- End with a final poignant message, repeating the B7 to E transition,
underscoring the song’s theme with a reflective musical closure.
Song's Theme:
- The lyrics advise resilience and joy in the face of aging, suggesting one
should not let the metaphorical 'old man'—or aging—dominate life’s outlook.
Practice the transitions and focus on conveying the song's message through
your playing to truly capture the essence of "Don't Let The Old Man In."
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