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Dougie MacLean - Caledonia Chords

ChordsD, A, Bm, G
Strumming↓-↓↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

  • Guitar D chord diagram Fingering: x-x-0-2-3-2Guitar D chord diagram
  • Guitar A chord diagram Fingering: x-0-2-2-2-0Guitar A chord diagram
  • Guitar Bm chord diagram Fingering: 2-2-4-4-3-2 Barre at fret 2.Guitar Bm chord diagram
  • Guitar G chord diagram Fingering: 3-2-0-0-0-3Guitar G chord diagram


[D]I don’t know if you can [A]see,
The [Bm]changes that have come [G]over me.
In these [D]last few days I’ve [A]been afraid,
That I [Bm]might drift a[G]way.
I’ve been [D]telling old stories, [A]singing songs,
That [Bm]make me think about [G]where I came from.
[D]That’s the reason [A]why I seem
So [Bm]far away to[G]day.


[D]Let me tell you that I [A]love you,
That I [Bm]think about you all the [G]time.
Caledonia you’re [D]calling me,
Now I’m [A]going [D]home.
But [D]if I should become a [A]stranger,
Know that [Bm]it would make me more than [G]sad,
Caledonia’s been [A]everything I’ve ever [D]had.


[D]Now I have moved and [A]kept on moving,
[Bm]Proved the points [G]that I needed proving,
[D]Lost the friends [A]that I needed losing,
[Bm]Found others on [G]the way.
[D]I have tried [A]and kept on trying,
[Bm]Stolen dreams, yes there’s [G]no denying,
[D]I have travelled hard sometimes [A]with conscience flying,
[Bm]Somewhere with [G]the wind.


[D]Let me tell you that I [A]love you,
That I [Bm]think about you all the [G]time.
Caledonia you’re [D]calling me,
Now I’m [A]going [D]home.
But [D]if I should become a [A]stranger,
Know that [Bm]it would make me more than [G]sad,
Caledonia’s been [A]everything I’ve ever [D]had.


Now I’m [D]sitting here be[A]fore the fire,
[Bm]The empty room, a [G]forest choir,
The [D]flames that couldn’t [A]get any higher,
They’ve [Bm]withered now [G]they’ve gone.
[A]But I’m [D]steady thinking [A]my way is clear,
[Bm]And I know what I will [G]do tomorrow,
[D]When hands have shaken, [A]and kisses flown,
[D]Then I will [G]disappear.


[D]Let me tell you that I [A]love you,
That I [Bm]think about you all the [G]time.
Caledonia you’re [D]calling me,
Now I’m [A]going [D]home.
But [D]if I should become a [A]stranger,
Know that [Bm]it would make me more than [G]sad,
Caledonia’s been [A]everything I’ve ever [D]had.

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AlbumCraigie Dhu
GenresFolk
Year1983
KeyD

How to play Caledonia on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Dougie MacLean - Caledonia on guitar requires 4 chords and 5 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

Caledonia uses these transitions most often: D → A (21), A → Bm (17), and Bm → G (17). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with D - A chord transition.

1. D → A chord transition

To move from D to A;

  1. Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger on B string from fret 3 to fret 2.
D to A

2. A → Bm chord transition

To move from A to Bm;

  1. Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to B string fret 3.
  3. Lift your ring finger from B string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 4.
  4. Place pinky on G string fret 4.
A to Bm

3. Bm → G chord transition

To move from Bm to G;

  1. While playing Bm, lift your pinky from G string fret 4.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
  3. Slide your middle finger from B string fret 3 to E string fret 3.
  4. Lift your ring finger from D string fret 4 and place it on E string fret 3.
Bm to G

4. G → D chord transition

To move from G to D;

  1. Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to E string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.
G to D

5. G → A chord transition

To move from G to A;

  1. Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to G string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 2.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Caledonia.

  • Caledonia includes 82 chord transitions, 5 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Caledonia contains 2 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Caledonia connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After D, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (29%), A (17%), and Em (17%).
    • D → G: 29%
    • D → A: 17%
    After A, the most likely next chords across Chordier are D (29%), G (13%), and E (12%).
    • A → D: 29%
    • A → Bm: 8%