The song The Unforgiven was released by Metallica on their fifth album, known as The Black Album, in 1991. The lyrics deal with themes such as isolation, regret, and the search for redemption. The song marks a notable difference from the bands previous material, featuring a softer and more introspective approach. The story behind the creation of this song involves the band members personal reflection on the expectations placed on them by others a ... See more [+] nd the consequences of these internal and external pressures.
Key: Am
Introduction:
A5
C5
G5
E5
A5
C5
G5
E5
Am
C
G
Em
Am
C
G
Em
Am
C
G
Em
Am
Lay beside me, tell me what they've done
C
G
Em
Am
Speak the words I want to hear, to make my demons run
C
G
Em
The door is locked now but it's opened if you're true
Am
C
G
Em
Am
If you can understand the me, then I can understand the you
C9
G
Em
Am
C9
G
Em
Am
C
G
E
Lay beside me, under wicked skies
Am
C
G
E
Am
Through black of day, dark of night, we share this paralyze
C
G
E
Am
The door cracks open but there's no sun shining through
C
G
E
Dm
Black heart scarring darker still, but there's no sun shining through
F
G
No, there's no sun shining through
F
A2
No, there's no sun shining
A2
Am
A2
G
What I've felt, what I've known
G
C2
C
G
Turn the pages, turn the stone
A2
Am
A2
G
G
C2
Behind the door, should I open it for you?
A2
Am
A2
G
What I've felt, what I've known
G
C2
C
Sick and tired, I stand alone
G
A2
Am
A2
G
G
C2
Could you be there, 'cause I'm the one who waits for you Or are you unforgiven, too?
A
C
G
E
A
C
G
E
Am
C
G
E
Come beside me, this won't hurt, I swear
Am
C
G
E
She loves me not, she loves me still, but she'll never love again
Am
C
G
E
Am
She lay beside me but she'll be there when I'm gone
C
G
E
Dm
Black heart scarring darker still, yes, she'll be there when I'm gone
F
Yes, she'll be there when I'm gone
G
F
A2
Dead sure she'll be there
A2
Am
A2
G
What I've felt, what I've known
G
C2
C
G
Turn the pages, turn to stone
A2
Am
A2
G
G
C2
Behind the door, should I open it for you?
A2
Am
A2
G
What I've felt, what I've known
G
C2
C
Sick and tired, I stand alone
G
A2
Am
A2
G
G
C2
Could you be there, 'cause I'm the one who waits for you Or are you unforgiven, too?
G
E
A
C
G
E
A2
Am
A2
Am
G
G
C2
C
G
A2
Am
A2
G
G
C2
A
C
G
E
A
C
G
E
Am
C
G
Em
Am
C
G
Em
Lay beside me, tell me what I've done
Am
C
G
The door is closed, so are your eyes
Em
Dm
F
G
But now I see the sun, now I see the sun
F
Yes, now I see it
A2
Am
A2
G
What I've felt, what I've known
G
C2
C
G
Turn the pages, turn the stone
A2
Am
A2
G
Behind the door, should I open it for you?
A2
Am
A2
G
What I've felt, what I've known
G
C2
C
Sick and tired, I stand alone
G
A2
Am
A2
G
G
C2
Could you be there, 'cause I'm the one who waits for you