---------------------------------------------------------------------------
When He Returns – Bob Dylan
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written by: Bob Dylan
From: “Slow Train Coming” (1979)
Tabbed by: maguri
Tuning: Standard
Originally a piano gospel-ballad, this is my reading for
guitar accompaniment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
capo: 1st fret
play: G
key: Ab / G#
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TURNAROUND
D9 G/D D7 C/D
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
e|0-----------0---|
B|1---3---1---1---|
G|2---4---2---0---|
D|0-----------0---|
A|----------------|
E|----------------|
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHORDS
Many of the D chords in the verses can also be played as D7.
E-A-D-G-B-e
C/G 3-x-2-0-1-0
G/D x-x-0-0-0-x
G/B x-2-0-0-0-x
G/F# 2-x-0-0-0-x
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Intro]
| C/G G | G/D D | C/G G | C/G G |
[Verse 1]
C/G G G/D D
The iron hand it ain't no match
C/G G | C/G G |
For the iron rod
C/G G G/D D
The strongest wall will crumble and fall
C/G G | C/G G G/F#|
To a mighty God
Em G/D C G/D
For all those who have eyes and all those who have ears
Em G/D C G/B | D D6 | D7 |
It is only He who can reduce me to tears
C/G G G/D D
Don't you cry and don't you die
C/G G | C/G G |
And don't you burn
C/G G G/D D
Like a thief in the night, He'll replace wrong with right
C/G G | D9 G/D D7 C/D |
When He returns (TURNAROUND)
[Verse 2]
C/G G G/D D
Truth is an arrow and the gate is narrow
C/G G | C/G G |
That it passes through
C/G G Am7 D
He unleashed His power at an unknown hour
C/G G | C/G G G/F# |
That no one knew
Em G/D C D G
How long can I listen to the lies of prejudice?
Em G/D C G/B | D D6 | D7 |
How long can I stay drunk on fear out in the wilderness?
C/G G G/D D
Can I cast it aside, all this loyalty and this pride?
C/G G | C/G G |
Will I ever learn
C/G G G/D D
That there'll be no peace, that the war won't cease
C/G G | D9 G/D D7 C/D |
Until He returns?
[Verse 3]
C/G G G/D D
Surrender your crown on this blood-stained ground
C/G G | C/G G |
Take off your mask
C/G G G/D D
He sees your deeds, He knows your needs
C/G G | C/G G G/F# |
Even before you ask
Em G/D C D G
How long can you falsify and deny what is real?
Em G/D C G/B | D D6 | D7 G/D D C |
How long can you hate yourself for the weakness you conceal?
[ C ] C/G G G G/D D
Of every earthly plan that be known to man
C/G G | C/G G |
He is unconcerned
C/G G G/D D
He's got plans of His own to set up His throne
C/G G | C/G G |
When-a He returns
[Outro]
| C/G G | C/G G |
(fade out)