Billy Bragg – I Will Be Your Shield (Guitar)

Key
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Chords

It's played on piano so these chords are an approximation for guitar. I've also simplified what could be complicated major / minor and minor seventh to their minor versions because I like easy. I think it plays best by plucking a single chord and letting it ring. Note that the lyric doesn't fit on easy chord boundaries so I've tried to place chord changes where I think they belong. Suggestions welcome. I've been a Bragg fan for 30+ years and I think this song is probably his most complete. Enjoy. [Intro] Em G D Em G D [Verse 1]
    Em            G    D
When things start to unravel

    Em        G          D
And days fill you with dread

    Am       G            D
And comments dent your confidence

   Bm           C
Confide in me instead

     Em    G         D
When every little setback

     Em        G         D
Just makes you want to cry

        Am          G          D
And the whole world seems against you

Bm                 B    C
And you don't know why
[Chorus]
       G       D
In the battle against your demons

C    G           D
I, I will be your shield

        C                  G
And the world has lost all meaning

       D             Em       C
Together, we'll stand for our love

           G            D
Is the one thing that's real
[Verse 2]
     Em             G      D
When pressure wrought by changes

  Em        G      D
Becomes too much to bear

    Am         G        D
And pain stops you from functioning

Bm                C
Trust in me to care

         Em       G        D
When the world beyond your doorstep

    Em      G        D
No longer makes much sense

    Am          G       D
And hostile thoughts suround you

     Bm             B       C
I'll come to your defence
[Chorus]
       G       D
In the battle against your demons

C    G           D
I, I will be your shield

        C                  G
And the world has lost all meaning

       D             Em       C
Together, we'll stand for our love

           G            D
Is the one thing that's real
[Bridge]
               Am
I will be your shield

                        C
When the angry wave are pounding

               G
I will be your shield

                           D
When the wind whips up the shore

               Am
I will be your shield

                          C
When you hear the thunder sounding

        G                  D
And the rain beats on your door

               Am
I will be your shield
[Outro] Em G D Am Em G D