Difficulty
Intermediate πͺ
Rate for accuracy
🎸
Key: A
Intro:
A A A A E x4
Verse 1:
D E A
Let yourself go in the current
D E A
Only rise and fall as the angles allow
D F#m
Finally make a break for the surface
D E
Breathe in the sweet air of the here and now
C#m A
Wake up in the arms of the earth
D E
Fully present at the second birth
Chorus:
A E F#m E D
Well the first thing you learn is how strong you can be if you have to
A E F#m E D
And the next thing you learn is how cold it can get at night
Verse 2:
D E A
Let the waves break where they have to break
D E A
Let the people make ready to approach the throne
D F#m
Two are going to stumble along the way
D E
One is going to go up alone
C#m A
Fires gathering on a distant peak
D E
Let me get some sleep before I speak
Chorus:
A E F#m E D
Well the first thing you learn is how far you can go with no gas in the tank
A E F#m E D
And the next thing you learn is how cold it can get at night
Interlude:
A D A
Lightly row, but this much I know
E D A
The first thing you learn will be the last thing to go
Instrumental:
A A A A E
Verse 3:
D E A
Sharpen sticks and stab at the tide pools
D E A
Pitch a camp as close as we can to shore
D F#m
Nobody thought to carry a compass
D E
It's not the 19th century any more
C#m A
On the third day you said you felt sick
D E
I could hear the clock tick
Chorus:
A E F#m E D
The first thing you learn is there's always a clock ticking somewhere
A E F#m E D
And the next thing you learn is how cold it can get at night
A E F#m E D
The first thing you learn is how strong you can be if you have to, so strong
A E F#m E D
And the next thing you learn is how cold it can get at night
A E F#m E D
And the next thing you learn is how cold it can get at night
A E F#m E D
And the next thing you learn is how cold it can get at night
Outro:
A A A A E x4
Song History
Published: November 19, 2025
Last Updated: November 19, 2025