My Dear Helen Chords
by Andy Shauf
My Dear Helen by Andy Shauf is a more advanced guitar song played in the key of C# with a capo on the 1st fret. It uses the chords G, C/G, E5, A5, C5, C, Am/G and D/A. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
G C/G
My dear helen it's been a while since we've talked.
E5 A5
Charlie and i haven't been up to a whole lot.
C/G C5
He's slowing down a little and my knee's acting up,
C Am/G
Yeah we're quite a pair of geezers moving slower than molasses.
C/G D/A
You'd be laughing if you saw us, you always loved to tease.
G C/G
I dug up an old bottle of your raspberry wine,
E5 A5
So i'm slouched out on the porch-swing just taking my time.
C/G C5
My mind keeps turning out these pictures of you,
C Am/G
You were dancing in the kitchen and i was enjoying my view.
C/G D/A
Oh charlie was squirming just two steps behind you.
G C/G
My dear helen do you remember when you said
E5 A5
That you'd be waiting at the gates so you could sneak me in?
C/G C5
Well it sure was funny but it still caught in my throat,
C Am/G
And when i think about it now, it still makes me choke.
C/G D/A
And i wonder if those gates would ever open up for me.
G C/G
Helen my dear, i do have something to tell.
E5 A5
I don't know how to start so i guess i just will.
C/G C5
See, these nights have been hot, it's that muggy sort of air.
C Am/G
Doesn't let me get to sleep so i usually just lie there
C/G D/A
On top of my quilt with charlie by my feet.
G C/G
Last night as i laid there frustrated and tired,
E5 A5
I was sat up in my bed by the hens starting wild.
C/G C5
I thought, 'that fox is back again, he's gonna rob me blind.
C Am/G
I don't know how he gets in but i'd better make him fly'.
C/G D/A
So i took my leaning rifle out the door.
G C/G
I fired off a shot aiming far into the heat.
E5 A5
And as soon as it was flying i felt weak in my knees.
C/G C5
I heard shoes turning gravel and then tires spitting rocks.
C Am/G
I heard a gasp for air and my stomach tied in knots.
C/G C5
Charlie started whining with his tail between his legs.
C Am/G
We wandered out slow but my heart was breakin' ribs.
C/G C5
I couldn't hear nothing and there was a girl lying twisted,
C Am/G
My hands were trembling and i felt that she was limp.
C/G C5
Her pulse wasn't tapping so i felt sick to my stomach.
C Am/G
Charlie was frozen, so i went for a shovel
C/G C5
And i buried her body, i didn't know what else to do.
C Am/G
If i'd only aimed a little higher if i'd only thought before i fired.
C/G C5
I hope god can forgive me, i hope you forgive me too,
C Am/G
I'm just a tired old man just waiting to join you.
C/G C5
So here i am slouched on this old porch swing,
C Am/G
Thinking about heaven, thinking about everything.
C/G C5
So be waiting by those gates, you might need to sneak me in,
C Am/G
I don't know how they feel about us accidental killers.
C/G C5
I don't know how they feel about us tired old men.
C Am/G
I don't know how they feel about us tired, old, murdering men.
C/G C5
C Am/G
I don't know how they feel about us tired, old, murdering men.