When They Were Young by Ralph McTell
Key: CC | Capo: 0fr |  Left-Handed 

    


[Introduction]
C Am Dm7 G x 2
Verse 1
C                          Am                      Dm7
This is for those who were lucky enough to fall in love
     G         C
When they were young
C                   Am
Not just that usual teenage stuff
  Dm7                 G
A fumble of feelings all fingers and tongues
F            G       F                    G
Intertwining breath  touch like trembling leaves
Verse 2
C                          Am
This is for those who were really free
       Dm7                      G
Though locked in a mutual field of vision
C                             Am
Each others eyes are all they see
  Dm7                      G
A jail without walls  an open prison
F          G        F              G
Even when apart  in earshot of the heart
Verse 3
    C                     Am
And this is for those who knowing the risk
      Dm7                 G
Threw caution to the wind of chance
C                Am
Abandoned in the singing mist
   Dm7           G
As on the precipice they danced
F            G     F               G
Seeds of sycamore  spinning to the floor
Verse 4
C                         Am
This is for those who without complaint
Dm7          G
Lay on a bed of their own making
      C            Am
Their sated hunger left them faint
        Dm7          G
Through fitful sleep to cruel awakening
F                G         F                   G
For their pities sake  the cradling bough must break
Verse 5]
C                         Am
But this is for those who loved so strong
        Dm7                  G
That it shattered the rocks and left them aching
C                          Am
Stunned into silence both deafened and dumb
       Dm7            G
By the terrible sound of one heart breaking
F                 G       F                    G
Charred and acrid breeze  lightening blackened trees
Outro
C                              Am
But this is for those who were lucky enough
           Dm7
To fall in love
     G         C
When they were young
Outro
C F C G C