A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
One Of These Things First by Nick Drake - Guitar Chords

How to play the guitar chord Fsharpm.jpg
<< Back to Nick Drake Song List
Version 1
            One of These Things First (Bryter Layter)

Standard Tuning (EADGBe)

Chords Used:
E      - 022100
F#m7/E - 04222x   or  044220
G#m/E  - 06644x   or  066440
E/D    - xx0454   or  xx0450
A      - x02220
G      - 320003
F#m    - 244222

Notes:
In the recording off of Bryter Layter it sounds like Nick is using an open tuning of some sort.
I prefer to stay in standard tuning when I play so here's how I have written out the chords. 
Note that the E/D chord is a quick passing chord and may be omitted if difficult to play at the recorded 
speed. Chords my not be exactly in line with lyrics since Mr. Drake tends to play and sing in more complex 
rhythms. 

I added a couple alternative chord fingerings on three of the chords that work musically and might be 
easier to move around.


[Intro]
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   E/D F#m7/E  (x4)


[Verse 1]

E   
F#m7/E              G#m/E   
I could have been a sailor
F#m7/E            E    F#m7/E   G#m/E F#m7/E
Could have been a cook

E

F#m7/E              G#m/E
A real live lover 
F#m7/E            E    F#m7/E   G#m/E F#m7/E
Could have been a book
A
I could have been a signpost 
G
Could have been a clock
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   F#m7/E  
As simple as a kettle 
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   F#m7/E  
Steady as a rock
G           F#m
I could be
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   F#m7/E 
Here and now
G           F#m
I would be, I should be
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   
But how?


[Chorus]
A                F#m
I could have been
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   
One of these things first
A                F#m
I could have been
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   E/D F#m7/E 
One of these things first

E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   E/D F#m7/E 


[Verse 2]
E

F#m7/E              G#m/E
I could have been your pillar 
F#m7/E               E    F#m7/E   G#m/E F#m7/E
Could have been your door

E
F#m7/E              G#m/E
I could have stayed beside you 
F#m7/E                E    F#m7/E   G#m/E F#m7/E
Could have stayed for more
A
I could have been your statue
G
Could have been your friend
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   F#m7/E  
A whole long lifetime 
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   F#m7/E  
Could have been the end

G          F#m
I could be 
         E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   F#m7/E 
Yours so true
G
I would be 
F#m
I should be 
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E    
Through and through


[Chorus]
A                F#m
I could have been
                    E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   F#m7/E 
One of these things first
A                F#m
I could have been
                    E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   E/D F#m7/E 
One of these things first

[Instrumental]
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   E/D F#m7/E 
G           
F#m
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   F#m7/E 
G
F#m
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   
A
F#m
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   E/D F#m7/E 
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   E/D F#m7/E 


[Verse 3]
E
F#m7/E              G#m/E
I could have been a whistle 
F#m7/E               E    F#m7/E   G#m/E F#m7/E
Could have been a flute

E
F#m7/E              G#m/E
A real live giver 
F#m7/E               E    F#m7/E   G#m/E F#m7/E
Could have been a boot
A
I could have been a signpost
G
Could have been a clock
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   F#m7/E  
As simple as a kettle 
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   F#m7/E  
Steady as a rock

[Chorus 2]
G          F#m
I could be 
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   F#m7/E  
Even here
G           F#m
I would be, I should be 
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   
So near
A                F#m
I could have been
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E    
One of these things first
A                F#m
I could have been
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E    
One of these things first

[Outro]
A                
F#m
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   E/D F#m7/E 
E
We also have 13 songs by Nick Drake

Guitar-Link.com Email: info@guitar-link.com