​a-ha - The Wake: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "The Wake" on your guitar with our detailed chord guide and lyrics. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.

Learn The Wake Guitar Chords and Lyrics by ​a-ha

This section will guide you through each part of the song, providing the guitar chords placed directly above the lyrics for easy playing. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, these elements will help you perform "The Wake" smoothly on your guitar.

For easier playing, use our Simplify Chords feature to remove difficult chords like barre.

Bm               D
Can't change the one you are
 A               G           A
Can't change the one you love
            D
Lower your guard

I've made a few mistakes
I'll tell you what it takes
Under the stars

G                              D
Have you seen the other me at times?
G                          Em A
Walking on an ever looser line

Chorus:
D
Baby this is a wake
Bm                        F#m
You and I will not escape
              A
As time goes by
D
The world's never been older
Bm                       F#m
Your head on my shoulder
               A
So close your eyes

Stung by normality
Wronged by your family
Conventions aside

Cannot change the one you love
From inside – or from above
Just hold him tight

Walking on an ever looser line
But love has let me over every time

Chorus:
Baby we're on a wake
You and I will not escape
Just close your eyes
The world's never been older
Your head on my shoulder
As time goes by

Baby this is a wake
None of us will escape
Who we are
The world's never been older
Your head on my shoulder
As time goes by


You can simplify chords by removing barre

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Simplify chords by removing barre

Guitar Chord Diagrams

A

Guitar chord A

D

Guitar chord D

Em

Guitar chord Em

F#m

Guitar chord F#m

G

Guitar chord G

Bm

Guitar chord Bm

Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably.

If you are also interested in learning how to play "The Wake" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "The Wake" by ​a-ha.

​a-ha Song List