Souverian Chords
by Andrew Bird
Souverian by Andrew Bird is a beginner-friendly guitar song played in the key of G. It uses the chords G, D, C and Em. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
G D G
The bells will ring, church steeple's catching fire
G D G
And if you promise spring then I know you are a liar
C G
Cause in the spring, tender grasses won't burn easily
C G D
The thrushes sing, still my lover won't return to me
Em D G
Wild parsnips they still scar my lungs, while thistles will burn my feet
D G D G
And if you join our Chorus, you'll never fear anymore
D G D G
So here comes the Chorus, we will meet on a fatal shore
G C Em D
Em G
Souverian, souverian, the elder
Em G
Souverian, souverian, the free
Em G
Souverian, souverian, the felled heart
Em C G
So very young, so very young were we
G D G D G
C G
Birds will sing, still my lover won't return to me
C G D
You promise spring, still my lover won't return to me
Em D G
Wild parsnips scar my lungs, and the thistles are burning my feet
D G D G
So here comes the Chorus, you will never fear anymore
D G D G
If you join our Chorus, we will meet on a fatal shore
G C Em D
G…(for this section, I finger pick the bottom three strings,
playing eight counts and then the bottom string open for eight counts, alternating.
Feel free to find your own method!)
Under the elders, the older get younger
The younger get over, over their elders
And under the elders, pretend that you're older now
Under the elders, the older get younger
The younger get over, over the elders
Under the elders, bending your branches down
C G
We were so very young, still my lover won't return to me
C G D
Thrushes sing, still my lover won't return to me
Em D G
Wild parsnips they still scar my lungs, while thistles still burn my feet