Chords
Cortez The Killer

Cortez the Killer is a song by Neil Young, released in 1975 on the album Zuma by Neil Young & Crazy Horse. The lyrics recount the story of Hernan Cortezs arrival in Mexico and his interaction with the Aztec emperor Montezuma II. It is noted for its powerful critique of the destruction of the Aztec culture by Spanish forces. While historical, the song carries a strong emotional weight, reflecting on the loss and beauty of the Aztec civilization.

Key: Em

Introduction:

         Em 
He came dancing across the water
            D 
With his galleons and guns
 Am7 
Looking for the new world
                        Am7* 
In that palace in the sun

         Em 
On the shore lay Montezuma
           D 
With his coca leaves and pearls
 Am7 
In his halls he often wandered
                          Am7* 
With the secrets of the worlds

          Em 
And his subjects gathered ' round him
            D 
Like the leaves around a tree
            Am7 
In their clothes of many colours
                       Am7* 
For the angry gods to see

           Em 
And the women all were beautiful
          D 
And the men stood straight and strong
        Am7 
They offered life in sacrifice
                         Am7* 
So that others could go on

 Em 
Hate was just a legend
     D 
And war was never known
     Am7 
The people worked together
                         Am7* 
And they lifted many stones

       Em 
They carried them to the flatlands
          D 
But they died along the way
          Am7 
And they built up with their bare hands
                          Am7* 
What we still can' t do today

       Em 
And I know she' s living there
         D 
And she loves me to this day
 Am7 
I still can' t remember when
                  Am7* 
Or how I lost my way

         Em 
He came dancing across the water
 D 
Cortez, Cortez
 Am7 
What a killer

   Em      D       Am7 
(fade out)