Beirut – A Candle’s Fire (Chords)


Beirut – A Candle’s Fire (Chords)

The new Beirut album is finally out! I got as far into it as the first track before I decided I had to grab my uke and work it out before I moved on. He’s using his 6 string Kamaka and it sounds great.

I’ve written it up as C# tuning or capo on the first fret. But it’s somewhere between C and C# tuning. The chords themselves shouldn’t provide too many problems though.

Suggested Strumming

There are a few passing chords which you can play like this:

If you find that a bit tricky, you can just miss those chords out and play Bb – C – F – Bb with this strum once for each:

d – d u – u d u

Intro

You can transfer the accordion intro to uke like this:

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22 Comments

  1. The Captain August 30th, 2011 6:53 pm

    I was hoping you would put out some chords for The Rip Tide and here they are. I think the album turned out just fine even when some people wrote it is too pop-y. Oh, and also thanks for the Lil Rev links. I like his playing a lot, especially the St. Louis Blues and I ordered one of his CDs today.

  2. Sebaschtian August 30th, 2011 9:20 pm

    Just love it!

    I agree to the Captain and hope there are more tabs coming, would love to play all those songs :)

  3. Garce August 30th, 2011 9:28 pm

    Thank youuuuuuuu! I was sitting on the tube home today and decided that tonight was the night I tried to work out Port of Call – and instead I find this! I honestly think you can read my mind. Sort of.

  4. Woodshed August 30th, 2011 11:20 pm

    Captain and Sebaschtian: Yeah, I think you’re pretty safe assuming there’ll be more.

    Garce: You’re weeeeeeeeeelcome!

  5. tjvonp August 31st, 2011 12:16 am

    Typo in the title of the entry, I believe.

    Great song and post, though.

  6. Woodshed August 31st, 2011 7:14 am

    tjvonp: Thanks very much. Fixed it.

  7. RyRawwr August 31st, 2011 1:02 pm

    Great opening track for the album and great choice for first one to post. And yes his new 6 string sounds fantastic.
    I saw him playing it when they supported at hyde park in July and hadnt been a fan of 6 strings until then.. Think i may have to buy me one now..
    Nice post :)

  8. Woodshed August 31st, 2011 10:43 pm

    RyRawr: Yeah, I definitely think it improves his sound. And now I’m tempted too.

  9. Mander Mae September 1st, 2011 12:13 am

    No comment on Beirut chords except how do you pronounce that? I live in Hicksville USA and nobody knows. No, what I’m here to say is that I got my for dummies book today and took the day off in order to peruse it. Result: realization that I know nothing.

  10. Connor September 1st, 2011 3:09 am

    Well done, and thanks for the tab. I’m with Garce: any plans to work out Port of Call? As to The Captain’s comments: I agree, but I’m willing to trade the pop sound for his lyrics, in that I think Condon’s getting better and better at telling a story. Thanks again — yours is always the first (and usually last) email I open.

  11. Woodshed September 1st, 2011 8:00 am

    Mander: You knew enough to get the right book and that’s all that matters!

    Connor: I still can’t understand a word Zach says. So the lyrics are a bit lost on me.

  12. Redmond September 4th, 2011 6:16 am

    More from my favorite band =)

    I think I saw in an interview somewhere that Zach said he writes the music then fills in the lyrics, and if they don’t make sense then oh well. I may be wrong though… Anyways, it’d be awesome if you did East Harlem and Port of Call. Or the whole album. I’m not picky.

  13. Woodshed September 4th, 2011 11:34 am

    Redmond: I’ll probably end up doing the whole album – at least in a shortened form.

  14. Snacks September 5th, 2011 10:31 pm

    Spot on! Im loving riptide.
    I’ve been meaning to beg you for something woodshed. I understand that you are a busy man, but tell me that this tj kid isn’t intriguing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucYG5cg2L50
    If you could give those chords a shot i’d be more than grateful:)

  15. Woodshed September 6th, 2011 7:42 am

    Snacks: Thanks for the link. I love it! Might be a bit niche for tabbing though.

  16. oscar September 7th, 2011 5:50 am

    Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! Thanks!

  17. Snacks September 7th, 2011 6:30 am

    awwww I understand . I’ve been watching that video in full screen trying to figure it out for a long time.

  18. Woodshed September 7th, 2011 7:53 am

    oscar: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!You’re welcome.

  19. Erik September 19th, 2011 8:57 pm

    This is so awesome, is there any chance of you transcribing o leaozinho in the near future?

  20. Nick September 29th, 2011 5:37 pm

    I found this band by accident, I was listening to World Cafe on NPR, and immediately took a shine to these guys. I came on the interweb to try to work the songs out and here I am. Thnx to Woodshed it appears you do all the upkeepin’. Mighty fine job you do.

  21. cristina November 3rd, 2011 1:01 am

    im having a hard time matching this up when i play along with the song. i even tried the capo. what am i doing wrong? the tuning is so off :(

  22. wilder June 8th, 2012 1:40 am

    Great stuff – to echo another comment request – any chance of you transcribing o leaozinho in the near future?
    Cheers and thanks

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