The Band - The Weight
Hello! Below you'll find my "The Weight" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This classic song by The Band is pretty easy to learn with just a few basic chords. In the video I go into some more advanced details, including improvising on the chorus with a pentatonic scale. Enjoy!
The Weight Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for The Weight:
The Weight Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| A | A |
| A | A |
[Verse 1]
A C#m
I pulled in to Nazareth
A C#m
I pulled in to Nazareth
D A
Was feeling 'bout half past dead
A C#m D A
I just need some place where I can lay my head
A C#m
"Hey, Mister, can you tell me
A C#m D A
I just need some place where I can lay my head
A C#m
"Hey, Mister, can you tell me
D A
Where a man might find a bed?"
A C#m
He just grinned, and shook my hand
A C#m
He just grinned, and shook my hand
D A
"No" was all he said
[Chorus 1]
A E/G# D A E/G# D
Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free
A E/G# D D
Take a load off, Fanny and...and...
A E/G# D A E/G# D
Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free
A E/G# D D
Take a load off, Fanny and...and...
(A)
And you put the load right on me
| A E/G# | F#m7 E | D | D |
[Verse 2]
A C#m D A
I picked up my bag, I went looking for a place to hide
A C#m D A
When I saw Carmen and the devil walking side by side
A C#m D A
I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on. Let's go downtown."
A C#m D A
She said, "I got to go, but my friend can stick around."
A C#m D A
I picked up my bag, I went looking for a place to hide
A C#m D A
When I saw Carmen and the devil walking side by side
A C#m D A
I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on. Let's go downtown."
A C#m D A
She said, "I got to go, but my friend can stick around."
[Chorus 2]
A E/G# D A E/G# D
Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free
A E/G# D D
Take a load off, Fanny and...and...
A E/G# D A E/G# D
Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free
A E/G# D D
Take a load off, Fanny and...and...
(A)
And you put the load right on me
| A E/G# | F#m7 E | D | D |
[Verse 3]
A C#m
Go down, Miss Moses
A C#m
Go down, Miss Moses
D A
There's nothing you can say
A C#m
It's just old Luke, and Luke's
It's just old Luke, and Luke's
D A
Waiting on the judgement day
A C#m D A
"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
A C#m D A
"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
A C#m
He said, "Do me a favor, son
He said, "Do me a favor, son
D A
Won't you stay and keep Anna Lee company."
[Chorus 3]
A E/G# D A E/G# D
Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free
A E/G# D D
Take a load off, Fanny and...and...
A E/G# D A E/G# D
Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free
A E/G# D D
Take a load off, Fanny and...and...
(A)
And you put the load right on me
| A E/G# | F#m7 E | D | D |
[Verse 4]
A C#m
Crazy Chester followed me
D A
And he caught me in the fog
A C#m D A
He said, "I will fix your rack, if you'll take Jack my dog."
A C#m
I said, "Wait a minute, Chester
A C#m D A
He said, "I will fix your rack, if you'll take Jack my dog."
A C#m
I said, "Wait a minute, Chester
D A
You know I'm a peaceful man."
A C#m
He said, "That's okay, boy
A C#m
He said, "That's okay, boy
D A
Won't you feed him when you can?"
[Chorus 4]
A E/G# D A E/G# D
Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free
A E/G# D D
Take a load off, Fanny and...and...
A E/G# D A E/G# D
Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free
A E/G# D D
Take a load off, Fanny and...and...
(A)
And you put the load right on me
| A E/G# | F#m7 E | D | D | X2
[Verse 5]
A C#m D A
Get your Canonball now, to take me down the line
A C#m D A
My bag is sinking low, and I do believe it's time
A C#m D A
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one
A C#m D A
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone
A C#m D A
Get your Canonball now, to take me down the line
A C#m D A
My bag is sinking low, and I do believe it's time
A C#m D A
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one
A C#m D A
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone
[Chorus 5]
A E/G# D A E/G# D
Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free
A E/G# D D
Take a load off, Fanny and...and...
A E/G# D A E/G# D
Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free
A E/G# D D
Take a load off, Fanny and...and...
(A)
And you put the load right on me
| A E/G# | F#m7 E | D | D | X2
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
The Weight Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "The Weight" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "The Weight" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
