Keeper of the Flame

 

Written by John Stewart

 

From the “Bandera” - CD, Folk Era Records, 1998.  Requested by Carol Simmons, but respectfully also dedicated to Tom D, The Keeper of the Flame. 

This song can sound good without the band backing, but I think you should go for a “full” sound, rather on the loud side and not too few notes. 

Charlie comments:  Good excuse to go out and buy that 12-string you've always wanted, fellow 'liners.  But, I NEED it so I can play Keeper of the Flame.

 

 

C9 short

E-----------

B-------3---

G-----------

D----2------

A-------3---

E-----------

 

G6 (yes, it´s also a G5 with open high E-string)

E-----------

B-------3---

G-----------

D-----------

A-----2-----

E-------3---

 

Note for quick pickers: You can play a high notes run: c-b-a-g on B- and G-strings right after some of the C9-chords, you´ll hear which ones.  Also nice to play that run in the bass.

 

 

Capo 2nd fret

 

(G6) (D) (C9)   (D)(G6) (D) (C9)  (D)(G6) (D) (C9)

(D)(G6)  (D)  (C9)   (G6)  (D)  (C9)  (G6)  (D)  (C9)

(G) The dogs now roam the (C)streets of home,

(G) There's a (D)wind upon the (G)land. (D)

(G) And if you can read the (C)highway signs, (G)

Then you (A7)know what is at (D)hand.

 

(G) And if one brave (D)angel (Em)flies at dawn,(G)

(C) Would you even know her (D)name?

(G) And who will (B7)stand up(Em)on the (C)shore? (Am)

Oh, the (D)keeper of the (G6)flame. (D) (C9)

(G6)  (D) (C9)

 

(G) Shots rang out and the (C)rains came down, (G)

And the (D)hopeless hit the (G)floor. (D)

(G) There was one great shout a(C)cross the land, (G)

`I don't (A7)need this any(D)more!´

 

(G) And if one brave (D)angel (Em)flies at dawn,(G)

(C) Would you even know his (D)name?

(G) Who will (B7)stand up(Em)on the (C)shore? (Am)

(D) Keeper of the (G6)flame. (D) (C9)

(G6) (D) (C9)  (G6) (D) (C9)  (G6) (D) (C9)

 

(G) Freedom is an (C)endless word,

(G) We are (D)always wanting (G)more. (D)

(G) There are heroes in the (C)holy hearts,

(G) And they (A7)fight the holy (D)wars.

 

(G) And if one brave (D)angel (Em)flies at dawn,(G)

(C) Would you even know her (D)name?

(G) Who will (B7)stand up(Em)on the (C)shore? (Am)

Oh, (D)keeper of the (G)flame. (D)

 

(G) And if one brave (D)angel (Em)flies at dawn,(G)

(C) Would you even know her (D)name?

(G) Who will (B7)stand up(Em)on the (C)shore? (Am)

Oh, (D)keeper of the (G6)flame. (D) (C9)

(G6)Yeah, (D)keeper of the (C9)flame.

(G6)Oh, (D)keeper of,(C9) keeper of the flame.

(G6)  (D) (C9)  (G6)  (D) (C9)  (G6)  (D) (C9)  (G)

 

© John Stewart, All Rights Reserved

 

Charlie Woodward, janhauenstein@gmx.de  & Art Faller

 

6/2003