Lean On Me (demo version from "First Light")
(intro)
Fmaj7 C (x3) (finger pick or strum)
(verse 1) (finger pick or strum verses)
Fmaj7
You've seen bad times
C Fmaj7
Your eyes have told me so blue and bad times
C Fmaj7
You think that I don't know but there'll be glad times
C Fmaj7
Just you wait and see girl I'll be your sunrise if you
C
Lean on me
Fmaj7 C Fmaj7
Now I imagine I could comfort you I'd forgotten
C
The things that you'd been through
Fmaj7 C
But here's one thing on which we can agree
Fmaj7 C
When you're ready darling you can lean on me
(strum chorus) C G
And the love I bring will grow into a lasting thing
F C
It'll put your heart on wings and set you free
C F
And as you rise high into the clearing sky
F
Maybe you will realize you can always
C G
Lean on me said lean on me baby lean on me
F C
Said just lean on me you can lean on me
(verse2) Fmaj7 C
All your heartaches are hidden deep inside
Fmaj7 C
So there's no telling how many tears you've cried
Fmaj7 C
And like the river told the weeping willow tree
Fmaj7 C
I can hold your teardrops child just lean on me
(chorus2) C
Sweet love and care and girl I'll find the strength
G F
I swear and when you need me I'll be there
C
If you let it be
C G
Till my time is done till the longest race is run
F
Right on till the kingdom comes you can always
C C G
Lean on me—said lean on me baby lean on me
F
Yeah you can lean on me
C
You know that you can lean on me
This is a rather raw demo version that I find much more compelling than most
of the studio releases of the song. It's just Terry and his guitar. Same
arrangement, slightly different lyrics.
As always, corrections, comments welcome. All my own work.
Greg Brown