The Band - Shine The Light: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "Shine The Light" on your guitar with our chord guide. 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.

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

G                      C
From outside the open window
D                                 C G
How the faithful was gathered to sing
As the tears swelled up inside me
Still down in a mournful rain

C/E      F                    G
And all sands of time stood still
C/E        F                   G
As the procession climbed the hill
C/E             F               G          Bm
And off in the distance it's a mother run away
    Em               D/F#
The father turned to say

Chorus:
           G      C
Somebody shine a light, show me the way
G/B                      D
Take me through the night to the break of day
G                      C
Won't you shine a light so I can see
G/B                          D                G
Lift up these chains of darkness and set me free

Lookin' through the open window
I can see where I went wrong
I quit searching for the rainbow
I forgot where I belong

Then the darkness dips around me
And I have no strength to fight
Though I'll search for those who love me
I'll search for the one above me
Just like I said

Chorus:
Somebody shine a light, show me the way
Take me through the night to the break of day
Won't you shine a light so I can see
Lift up these chains of darkness and set me free

And all sands of time stood still
As the echo crossed my window sill
I heard it plain as day, I could hear 'em sing
I'm trying to find the way

Chorus:
Somebody shine a light, show me the way
Make it through the night to the break of day
Won't you shine a light so I can see
Lift up these chains of darkness and set me free

Shine a light, show me the way
Take me through the night to the break of day
Shine a light so I can see
Lift up these chains of darkness and set me free
Shine a light so I can see
Lift up these chains of darkness and set me free


You can simplify chords by removing barre

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Simplify chords by removing barre

Guitar Chord Diagrams

C

Guitar chord C

D

Guitar chord D

E

Guitar chord E

Em

Guitar chord Em

F

Guitar chord F

F#

Guitar chord F#

G

Guitar chord G

B

Guitar chord B

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 "Shine The Light" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Shine The Light" by The Band.

The Band Song List