CAPO GUITAR
“ ALWAYS ” BY CHRIS TOMLIN | Mitch Bohannon
It was 20 years ago this summer that we showed the first Kyser Short-Cut capos at NAMM in Nashville . Two years before , I attended Worship Together 2000 in San Jose , California . That ’ s where I met Chris Tomlin and started the conversation with him about how he was using his modified capo .
At the time , Chris explained he was using it more by feel and really couldn ’ t explain to me chord-by-chord what was going on . However , I still credit Chris with being an inspiration for me in figuring it out . So , it ’ s fitting twenty years later to highlight yet another Chris Tomlin song . I recall him , years ago , explaining the beginning of his musical journey having a word spoken over him that he would be writing songs that the world would sing . How true that was and still is . So many of his songs are timeless and call the Church to praise .
Always , is very straight forward as are most of the songs Chris writes . They are so approachable for the church musicians and vocals . This song was recorded in the key of “ C ,” which is too high for me . I would lead the song in the key of “ A ”. To play with the recording , use a full capo on fret 3 and your cut capo on fret 5 .
The 6 / 8 rhythm of the song keeps it moving forward with a bit of a swing … a good ruleof-thumb with a 6 / 8 tempo is to just keep your down-strums to beats 1 and 4 . You ’ ll notice in the video that I ’ ll often use some hammer-ons at the 4 th string , mostly when playing the “ D2 ” shape . This highlights the 2-note and also adds to the movement of the rhythm .
Always
Chris Tomlin | Daniel Carson | Ben Glover | Jess Cates
Key : A | Cut-Capo : Fret 2 | Tempo : 53 | Time : 6 / 8 ( play with recording : Full Capo 3 , Cut Capo 5 )
VERSE 1 A
I believe You gave sight to the blind D2
I believe that the dead came to life F # m7
I believe there are wonders and signs D2
And You ’ re still the same
VERSE 2 I believe every word that You said I believe there are scars in Your hands That Your goodness is good without end And You ’ ll never change
CHORUS A
I will tell of Your wonders , sing of Your grace F # m7
The God of creation knows me by name D2 A E The Lord is faithful yesterday , Now and always , Always
A Your mercy is mighty , age after age F # m7 All generations will bow down and praise
D2 A E The Lord is faithful yesterday , Now and always , Always
VERSE 3 I believe You will come in the clouds I believe You are here even now In Your presence I know there is power Power to save , oh
BRIDGE F # m7 E A D2
You were , You are , You always will be God F # m7 E A D2
You were , You are , You always will be God D2
Yes , You always will be God
© 2022 9t One Songs | Arise Music | Capitol CMG Paragon | Daniel Carson Designee | S . D . G Publishing | Sojka Songs | TIM Tunes Music
A D2 F # m7 E
Check it out and get a feel for yet another great and congregational song for your church . Whether you lead alone with your guitar or you lead with a full band , there are plenty of dynamics that can serve the song well and keep your people singing . On a side note , I ’ ve mentioned this before … if you ’ re leading alone with just a guitar , I would highly recommend adding a droning pad underneath . You can find them on apps like AutoPad and at Loop Community ’ s Prime and Multitrack ’ s Playback . If you have any questions on those , feel free to email me cutcapo @ gmail . com .
Mitch Bohannon Mitch Bohannon and his wife , Noelle have been married for 30 years with three adult kids and two granddaughters . Mitch developed the Short- Cut Capo for Kyser and is the Director of Live Production at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles , Louisiana .