Mountains Of The Heart - Dave Stamey | Song Tabs - Guitar Chord Sheets

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Mountains Of The Heart Dave Stamey

Dave Stamey is well-known for his acoustic, Western storytelling style. "Mountains Of The Heart" reflects this with its gentle tempo and simple, expressive chord progressions, making it approachable for beginner guitarists.

Chord Progression and Transitions
The song uses straightforward open chords: C, Am, F, and G. Practice switching smoothly between these, especially C to G and F to C, which appear frequently. For the F chord, beginners may use the easier F major (xx3211) instead of the full barre chord.

Strumming Pattern
Aim for a relaxed, folk-inspired strum. Try a pattern like:
Down – Down – Up – Up – Down – Up
This fits the song’s gentle rhythm and works for both verses and chorus. Keep your strumming hand moving steadily for a consistent sound.

Tempo and Feel
Play at a moderate tempo, focusing on evenness rather than speed. Let the natural dynamics of the lyrics guide you—play a bit softer during verses and slightly stronger in the chorus for emotional effect.

Tips for Beginners
Take extra time with the F chord. Practice moving from C to F and back repeatedly. If changing chords is difficult, slow down the transitions and gradually build up speed. Listen to the original recording to match the mellow, storytelling vibe.

Enjoy expressing the story through your playing!

C

Am

F

G

Intro

C C C C

C C C C

Verse 1

Somewhere near theAm timberline heF feeds the fire

As morning slowlyG turns the sky toC grayG

C Choices made andAm trails all takenF he's alone

She's with someoneG else now far aC way

Chorus

AndAm up there near the ridgeline theF trails all run toC gether

And then branch to different canyons overF creeks that run soG dark

AndC if you take theAm wrong trail you canF wander on forC ever

F Forever through theG mountains of theC heart

Verse 2

Had the chance toAm make the change toF turn around

Found that he justG could not pay theC priceG

SheC wanted more fromAm life than just twoF callused hands

Rundown boots andG empty cow campC nights

Chorus

So sheAm packed up all her dishes all herF dreams and hopes andC longings

Said they'd both be better offF if they lived aG part

And theC memory of herAm going and theF longin' for herC stayin'

StillF echo through theG mountains of theC heart

Bridge

TheAm mountains of theG heart they areC haunted

Am Filled with graniteG shadows oh soC dark

And theF ghosts of things thatG might have been soC lonesome everAm wandered

ForF ever through the mountains of theG heart

Verse 3

He shrugs it off andAm saddles up andF mounts his horse

Circles 'round theG meadow to theC treesG

C All at once theAm wind kicks up and heF hears her voice

A lonesome soundG carried on theC breeze

Chorus

HeAm looks back toward the ridgeline and theF trails he could haveC taken

She's off huntin' happinessF he's out huntingG strays

And theC voice it swells andAm calls again soF lonesome through theC pine

HeF shakes his head andG slowly rides aC way

Outro

TheAm mountains of theG heart they areC haunted

Am Filled with graniteG shadows oh soC dark

And theF ghosts of things thatG might have been soC lonesome everAm wandered

ForF ever through the mountains of theG heart

ForF ever through theG mountains of theC heart