Before The Deluge Lyrics And Chords
Jackson Browne. Christy Moore [ song list ] had a hit in Ireland with this one , and a song I have received a lot of requests for. I have included the guitar chords in the keys of G and D Major.
(G)Some of them were dreamers, (C) and some of them were fools(G)
who were(Em)making plans and (C)thinking of the future(G),,,,[C],,[G]
With the energy of the innocent, they were (C)gathering their tools(G) they would (em)need to make thir (C)journey back to (G) nature(C),,,, (G)
While the (Em) sand slipped through the (G)opening, and their (C)hands reached for the (G) glden ring, with their (Em) hearts they turned to each (G) other's hears for (D) refuge, (C) (G) (D) in the (Em) troubled years that (C)came before the (G) deluge (C),,,, (G)
Chorus:
(G) Now let the music keep your (G) spirits high....(C),, (G) (C) and
let the buildings keep our (G)children dry (C),,, (G) Let creation reveal
(D)it's secrets, by and by (G),, (C) by and by (G),,,
(C) when the (G) light that's lost with (C) in us reaches the sky
(G),,,, (D)
Some of them knew pleasure, and some of them knew pain,
and for some of them it was only the moment that mattered.
With the brave and crazy wings of youth,
they went flying around in the rain
and their feathers once so fine, grew torn and tattered
And in the end they traded their tired wings,
for the resignation that living brings,
and exchanged love's bright and fragile glow
for the glitter and the rouge, and in a moment they were swept
before the deluge
Some of them were angry at the way the earth was abused
by the men who learned how to forge her beauty into power
And they struggled to protect her from them
Only to be confused, by the magnitude of her fury
In the final hour
And when the sand was gone and the time arrived
In the naked dawn only a few survived
and in attemps to understand a thing so simple and so huge
believed that they were meant to live
after the deluge
who were(Em)making plans and (C)thinking of the future(G),,,,[C],,[G]
With the energy of the innocent, they were (C)gathering their tools(G) they would (em)need to make thir (C)journey back to (G) nature(C),,,, (G)
While the (Em) sand slipped through the (G)opening, and their (C)hands reached for the (G) glden ring, with their (Em) hearts they turned to each (G) other's hears for (D) refuge, (C) (G) (D) in the (Em) troubled years that (C)came before the (G) deluge (C),,,, (G)
Chorus:
(G) Now let the music keep your (G) spirits high....(C),, (G) (C) and
let the buildings keep our (G)children dry (C),,, (G) Let creation reveal
(D)it's secrets, by and by (G),, (C) by and by (G),,,
(C) when the (G) light that's lost with (C) in us reaches the sky
(G),,,, (D)
Some of them knew pleasure, and some of them knew pain,
and for some of them it was only the moment that mattered.
With the brave and crazy wings of youth,
they went flying around in the rain
and their feathers once so fine, grew torn and tattered
And in the end they traded their tired wings,
for the resignation that living brings,
and exchanged love's bright and fragile glow
for the glitter and the rouge, and in a moment they were swept
before the deluge
Some of them were angry at the way the earth was abused
by the men who learned how to forge her beauty into power
And they struggled to protect her from them
Only to be confused, by the magnitude of her fury
In the final hour
And when the sand was gone and the time arrived
In the naked dawn only a few survived
and in attemps to understand a thing so simple and so huge
believed that they were meant to live
after the deluge
“Before the Deluge” by Jackson Browne, one of his most poetic and powerful songs.
Here’s a complete working arrangement for solo acoustic guitar in G major, including chords for all verses and a natural folk-rock strumming pattern that fits Browne’s flowing, narrative style.
🎵 Before the Deluge — Jackson Browne
(Key: G Major — capo optional at 3rd fret to match recording)
Verse 1
(G)Some of them were dreamers,
(C)And some of them were fools,
(G)Who were (Em)making plans and
(C)Thinking of the future (G)
With the energy of the innocent,
They were (C)gathering their tools,
(G)They would (Em)need to make their (C)journey back to (G)nature
While the (Em)sand slipped through the (G)opening,
And their (C)hands reached for the (G)golden ring,
With their (Em)hearts they turned to (G)each other’s hearts for (D)refuge,
(C)In the (G)troubled years that (C)came before the (G)deluge
Chorus
(G)Now let the music keep your (C)spirits high,
And (G)let the buildings keep our (C)children dry,
Let (G)creation reveal its (D)secrets, by and (G)by, (C)by and (G)by,
When the (C)light that’s lost with(G)in us, reaches the (D)sky
Verse 2
(G)Some of them knew pleasure,
(C)And some of them knew pain,
(G)And for (Em)some of them it (C)was only the moment that (G)mattered
With the brave and crazy wings of youth,
They went (C)flying around in the rain,
(G)And their (Em)feathers once so (C)fine grew torn and (G)tattered
And in the (Em)end they traded (G)their tired wings,
For the (C)resignation (G)living brings,
And they (Em)exchanged love’s bright and (G)fragile glow,
For the (D)glitter and the rouge,
(C)In a (G)moment they were (C)swept before the (G)deluge
Chorus
(G)Now let the music keep your (C)spirits high,
And (G)let the buildings keep our (C)children dry,
Let (G)creation reveal its (D)secrets, by and (G)by, (C)by and (G)by,
When the (C)light that’s lost with(G)in us, reaches the (D)sky
Verse 3
(G)Some of them were angry
(C)At the way the earth was abused,
(G)By the (Em)men who learned how to (C)forge her beauty into (G)power
And they struggled to protect her from them,
Only to be (C)confused,
(G)By the (Em)magnitude of (C)her fury in the (G)final hour
And when the (Em)sand was gone and (G)time arrived,
In the (C)naked dawn only a (G)few survived,
And in (Em)attempts to understand a (G)thing so simple and (D)so huge,
(C)Believed that (G)they were meant to (C)live after the (G)deluge
🎸 Strumming Pattern
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ~80–90 BPM (gentle folk-rock flow)
Pattern:
D – D U – U D U
(Down – Down Up – Up Down Up)
Count it as: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
🎵 For a softer, more reflective verse:
D – D – U – D U (lighter touch, emphasize bass on beat 1)
🎵 For chorus, strum more openly:
D D U U D U with a bit more dynamic lift.
💡 Performance Notes
Intro/Outro idea:
Play this twice for a mood-setting intro:
| G | Em | C | G |
Emphasize transitions between G → C and C → D; they mirror the emotional turns in Browne’s lyrics.
For a more Jackson Browne sound, add a hammer-on on G (hammer 0–2 on A string) at the start of verses.
Keep the strumming loose and flowing, like waves — this song is meant to feel organic and reflective.
Would you like me to also create a fingerpicking tab for the intro and first line of verse 1 (the “Some of them
Here’s a complete working arrangement for solo acoustic guitar in G major, including chords for all verses and a natural folk-rock strumming pattern that fits Browne’s flowing, narrative style.
🎵 Before the Deluge — Jackson Browne
(Key: G Major — capo optional at 3rd fret to match recording)
Verse 1
(G)Some of them were dreamers,
(C)And some of them were fools,
(G)Who were (Em)making plans and
(C)Thinking of the future (G)
With the energy of the innocent,
They were (C)gathering their tools,
(G)They would (Em)need to make their (C)journey back to (G)nature
While the (Em)sand slipped through the (G)opening,
And their (C)hands reached for the (G)golden ring,
With their (Em)hearts they turned to (G)each other’s hearts for (D)refuge,
(C)In the (G)troubled years that (C)came before the (G)deluge
Chorus
(G)Now let the music keep your (C)spirits high,
And (G)let the buildings keep our (C)children dry,
Let (G)creation reveal its (D)secrets, by and (G)by, (C)by and (G)by,
When the (C)light that’s lost with(G)in us, reaches the (D)sky
Verse 2
(G)Some of them knew pleasure,
(C)And some of them knew pain,
(G)And for (Em)some of them it (C)was only the moment that (G)mattered
With the brave and crazy wings of youth,
They went (C)flying around in the rain,
(G)And their (Em)feathers once so (C)fine grew torn and (G)tattered
And in the (Em)end they traded (G)their tired wings,
For the (C)resignation (G)living brings,
And they (Em)exchanged love’s bright and (G)fragile glow,
For the (D)glitter and the rouge,
(C)In a (G)moment they were (C)swept before the (G)deluge
Chorus
(G)Now let the music keep your (C)spirits high,
And (G)let the buildings keep our (C)children dry,
Let (G)creation reveal its (D)secrets, by and (G)by, (C)by and (G)by,
When the (C)light that’s lost with(G)in us, reaches the (D)sky
Verse 3
(G)Some of them were angry
(C)At the way the earth was abused,
(G)By the (Em)men who learned how to (C)forge her beauty into (G)power
And they struggled to protect her from them,
Only to be (C)confused,
(G)By the (Em)magnitude of (C)her fury in the (G)final hour
And when the (Em)sand was gone and (G)time arrived,
In the (C)naked dawn only a (G)few survived,
And in (Em)attempts to understand a (G)thing so simple and (D)so huge,
(C)Believed that (G)they were meant to (C)live after the (G)deluge
🎸 Strumming Pattern
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ~80–90 BPM (gentle folk-rock flow)
Pattern:
D – D U – U D U
(Down – Down Up – Up Down Up)
Count it as: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
🎵 For a softer, more reflective verse:
D – D – U – D U (lighter touch, emphasize bass on beat 1)
🎵 For chorus, strum more openly:
D D U U D U with a bit more dynamic lift.
💡 Performance Notes
Intro/Outro idea:
Play this twice for a mood-setting intro:
| G | Em | C | G |
Emphasize transitions between G → C and C → D; they mirror the emotional turns in Browne’s lyrics.
For a more Jackson Browne sound, add a hammer-on on G (hammer 0–2 on A string) at the start of verses.
Keep the strumming loose and flowing, like waves — this song is meant to feel organic and reflective.
Would you like me to also create a fingerpicking tab for the intro and first line of verse 1 (the “Some of them
🎵 Before the Deluge — Full Fingerpicking Tab (Verse 1 + Chorus)
Key: G Major
Tempo: ~80 BPM
Time: 4/4
Feel: Gentle, rolling arpeggios — think of waves or wind through trees
🌿 Intro
(Play softly before singing)
G Em
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------0-----------0--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|3----------------------------|0----------------------------|
C G
e|--------0-----------0--------|--------3-----------3--------|
B|------1---1-------1---1------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|--2-----------2--------------|-----------------------------|
A|3----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|-----------------------------|3----------------------------|
🌅 Verse 1
"Some of them were dreamers, and some of them were fools..."
G C
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------0-----------0--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------1---1-------1---1------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|3----------------------------|
E|3----------------------------|-----------------------------|
Some of them were dreamers, and some of them were fools,
G Em
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------0-----------0--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|3----------------------------|0----------------------------|
Who were making plans and thinking of the future,
C G
e|--------0-----------0--------|--------3-----------3--------|
B|------1---1-------1---1------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|--2-----------2--------------|-----------------------------|
A|3----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|-----------------------------|3----------------------------|
With the energy of the innocent, they were gathering their tools,
C G
e|--------0-----------0--------|--------3-----------3--------|
B|------1---1-------1---1------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|--2-----------2--------------|-----------------------------|
A|3----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|-----------------------------|3----------------------------|
They would need to make their journey back to nature.
🌊 Bridge Line
"While the sand slipped through the opening..."
Em G
e|--------0-----------0--------|--------3-----------3--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|0----------------------------|3----------------------------|
While the sand slipped through the opening,
C G
e|--------0-----------0--------|--------3-----------3--------|
B|------1---1-------1---1------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|--2-----------2--------------|-----------------------------|
A|3----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|-----------------------------|3----------------------------|
And their hands reached for the golden ring,
Em G
e|--------0-----------0--------|--------3-----------3--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|0----------------------------|3----------------------------|
With their hearts they turned to each other's hearts for refuge,
D C G
e|--------2-----------2--------|--------0-----------0--------|
B|------3---3-------3---3------|------1---1-------0---0------|
G|----2-------2---2-------2----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|--0-----------0--------------|--2-----------2--------------|
A|-----------------------------|3----------------------------|
E|-2---------------------------|3----------------------------|
In the troubled years that came before the deluge.
🌤️ Chorus
"Now let the music keep your spirits high..."
G C
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------0-----------0--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------1---1-------1---1------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|3----------------------------|
E|3----------------------------|-----------------------------|
Now let the music keep your spirits high,
G C
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------0-----------0--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------1---1-------1---1------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|3----------------------------|
E|3----------------------------|-----------------------------|
And let the buildings keep our children dry,
G D
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------2-----------2--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------3---3-------3---3------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----2-------2---2-------2----|
D|-----------------------------|--0-----------0--------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|-----------------------------|
E|3----------------------------|-2---------------------------|
Let creation reveal its secrets by and by,
G C
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------0-----------0--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------1---1-------1---1------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|3----------------------------|
E|3----------------------------|-----------------------------|
By and by, when the light that's lost within us,
G D
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------2-----------2--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------3---3-------3---3------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----2-------2---2-------2----|
D|-----------------------------|--0-----------0--------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|-----------------------------|
E|3----------------------------|-2---------------------------|
Reaches the sky.
🎶 How to Play It
Bass thumb:
Alternate between the root note and the 4th or 5th string — slow, steady pulse.
Index (G string) and middle (B string) play the melody shimmer.
Keep your hand relaxed — it’s more about flow than precision.
You can hum along quietly or sing softly over this; it supports vocals perfectly.
💡 Optional Transition
After the chorus, strum gently:
Down – Down Up – Up Down Up
on | G | C | G | D |
to move into the next verse or outro.
Key: G Major
Tempo: ~80 BPM
Time: 4/4
Feel: Gentle, rolling arpeggios — think of waves or wind through trees
🌿 Intro
(Play softly before singing)
G Em
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------0-----------0--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|3----------------------------|0----------------------------|
C G
e|--------0-----------0--------|--------3-----------3--------|
B|------1---1-------1---1------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|--2-----------2--------------|-----------------------------|
A|3----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|-----------------------------|3----------------------------|
🌅 Verse 1
"Some of them were dreamers, and some of them were fools..."
G C
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------0-----------0--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------1---1-------1---1------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|3----------------------------|
E|3----------------------------|-----------------------------|
Some of them were dreamers, and some of them were fools,
G Em
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------0-----------0--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|3----------------------------|0----------------------------|
Who were making plans and thinking of the future,
C G
e|--------0-----------0--------|--------3-----------3--------|
B|------1---1-------1---1------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|--2-----------2--------------|-----------------------------|
A|3----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|-----------------------------|3----------------------------|
With the energy of the innocent, they were gathering their tools,
C G
e|--------0-----------0--------|--------3-----------3--------|
B|------1---1-------1---1------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|--2-----------2--------------|-----------------------------|
A|3----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|-----------------------------|3----------------------------|
They would need to make their journey back to nature.
🌊 Bridge Line
"While the sand slipped through the opening..."
Em G
e|--------0-----------0--------|--------3-----------3--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|0----------------------------|3----------------------------|
While the sand slipped through the opening,
C G
e|--------0-----------0--------|--------3-----------3--------|
B|------1---1-------1---1------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|--2-----------2--------------|-----------------------------|
A|3----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|-----------------------------|3----------------------------|
And their hands reached for the golden ring,
Em G
e|--------0-----------0--------|--------3-----------3--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------0---0-------0---0------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|--2-----------2--------------|
E|0----------------------------|3----------------------------|
With their hearts they turned to each other's hearts for refuge,
D C G
e|--------2-----------2--------|--------0-----------0--------|
B|------3---3-------3---3------|------1---1-------0---0------|
G|----2-------2---2-------2----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|--0-----------0--------------|--2-----------2--------------|
A|-----------------------------|3----------------------------|
E|-2---------------------------|3----------------------------|
In the troubled years that came before the deluge.
🌤️ Chorus
"Now let the music keep your spirits high..."
G C
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------0-----------0--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------1---1-------1---1------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|3----------------------------|
E|3----------------------------|-----------------------------|
Now let the music keep your spirits high,
G C
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------0-----------0--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------1---1-------1---1------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|3----------------------------|
E|3----------------------------|-----------------------------|
And let the buildings keep our children dry,
G D
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------2-----------2--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------3---3-------3---3------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----2-------2---2-------2----|
D|-----------------------------|--0-----------0--------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|-----------------------------|
E|3----------------------------|-2---------------------------|
Let creation reveal its secrets by and by,
G C
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------0-----------0--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------1---1-------1---1------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0---0-------0----|
D|-----------------------------|--2-----------2--------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|3----------------------------|
E|3----------------------------|-----------------------------|
By and by, when the light that's lost within us,
G D
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------2-----------2--------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------3---3-------3---3------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----2-------2---2-------2----|
D|-----------------------------|--0-----------0--------------|
A|--2-----------2--------------|-----------------------------|
E|3----------------------------|-2---------------------------|
Reaches the sky.
🎶 How to Play It
Bass thumb:
Alternate between the root note and the 4th or 5th string — slow, steady pulse.
Index (G string) and middle (B string) play the melody shimmer.
Keep your hand relaxed — it’s more about flow than precision.
You can hum along quietly or sing softly over this; it supports vocals perfectly.
💡 Optional Transition
After the chorus, strum gently:
Down – Down Up – Up Down Up
on | G | C | G | D |
to move into the next verse or outro.
Here's the chords in the key of D.
(D)Some of them were dreamers, (G) and some of them were fools(D)
who were(Bm)making plans and (G)thinking of the future(D),,,,[C],,[G]
With the energy of the innocent, they were (G)gathering their tools(D) they would (em)need to make thir (G)journey back to (D) nature(G),,,, (D)
While the (Bm) sand slipped through the (D)opening, and their (G)hands reached for the (D) glden ring, with their (Bm) hearts they turned to each (D) other's hears for (A) refuge, (G) (D) (A) in the (Bm) troubled years that (G)came before the (D) deluge (G),,,, (D)
Chorus:
(D) Now let the music keep your (D) spirits high....(G),, (D) (G) and
let the buildings keep our (D)children dry (G),,, (D) Let creation reveal
(A)it's secrets, by and by (D),, (G) by and by (D),,,
(G) when the (D) light that's lost with (G) in us reaches the sky
(D),,,, (A)
(D)Some of them were dreamers, (G) and some of them were fools(D)
who were(Bm)making plans and (G)thinking of the future(D),,,,[C],,[G]
With the energy of the innocent, they were (G)gathering their tools(D) they would (em)need to make thir (G)journey back to (D) nature(G),,,, (D)
While the (Bm) sand slipped through the (D)opening, and their (G)hands reached for the (D) glden ring, with their (Bm) hearts they turned to each (D) other's hears for (A) refuge, (G) (D) (A) in the (Bm) troubled years that (G)came before the (D) deluge (G),,,, (D)
Chorus:
(D) Now let the music keep your (D) spirits high....(G),, (D) (G) and
let the buildings keep our (D)children dry (G),,, (D) Let creation reveal
(A)it's secrets, by and by (D),, (G) by and by (D),,,
(G) when the (D) light that's lost with (G) in us reaches the sky
(D),,,, (A)
Below is the list of songs in the Christy Moore pdf song book. Over 50 of Christy's greatest songs
with sheet music and tin whistle notes. Price €8.75. Before The Deluge is included.
with sheet music and tin whistle notes. Price €8.75. Before The Deluge is included.
