Penitent Chords
by Suzanne Vega
Penitent by Suzanne Vega is a moderately challenging guitar song played in the key of Am with a capo on the 1st fret. It uses the chords Am, G, F, Em and C. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
Am
Once I stood alone so proud held myself above the crowd
G Am
now i am low on the ground.
Am
From here i look around to see what avenues belong to me
G Am
I can't tell what ive found.
Am G F
Now what would You have me do
Am G F
i ask you please?
Am G Em C
I wait to hear.
Am
The mother, and the matador, the mystic, all were here before,
G Am
like me, to stare You down.
Am
You appear without a face, disappear, but leave your trace,
G Am
i feel your unseen frown.
Am G F
Now what would you have me do
Am G F
I ask you please?
Am G Em
i wait to hear
C
your voice,
F
the word,
G
you say
Em C
i wait to see your sign
G F G
would i
Em
obey?
Am
I look for you in heathered moor, the desert, and the ocean floor
G Am
how low does one heart go.
Am
looking for your fingerprints i find them in coincidence,
G Am
and make my faith to grow.
Am
Forgive me all my blindnesses my weakness and unkindnesses
G Am
as yet unbending still.
Am
struggling so hard to see my fist against eternity
G Am
and will you break my will?
Am G F
Now what would you have me do
Am G F
i ask you please?
Am G Em
i wait to hear
C
your voice,
F
the word
G
you say
Em C
i wait to see your sign
G F G
could i
Em
obey?