Chord Req: 'The Climb' (Archie Fisher)

Subject: Chord Req: Chords for 'The Climb'
From: GUEST,Blackford John
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 07:33 AM

Hi,

Does anyone have the chords for Archie Fisher's song "The Climb"? Th eversion I've heard is on an old Barbara Dickson album.

Subject: add: tHE cLIMB (aRCHIE fISHER)
From: maeve
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 05:12 PM

No chords but here is the recording and lyric.

'The Climb' sung by Barbara Dickson on 'The Begger's Mantle' Topic Records (Decca, 1971)

Transcription from that youtube recording.

THE CLIMB
(Archie Fisher)

I was on the urban clearway
Sending him the road he came
Maybe he'll be someone someday
Everyone will know his name
Even if he learns the hard way
Maybe it'll take some time
Everywhere you've played is worth it
When you've made the climb

People in a smoky bar room
Listen to the words he sings
Wonder where the songs all come from
Finger picking weary strings
Gonna set his life to music
Found a reason for the rhyme
Waiting for the break
The day he's gonna make the climb

When will you lift your lift your eyes
Burning skies are promising the dawn
Forget the part you played in the masquerade
And maybe a song will help you go on

Met him at a late night party
Heard him in a concert hall
Saw him a transport cafe
Bought him in a record store
Read him in the music papers
Played him for the thousandth time
And everybody said he'd finally made the climb.

Somewhere on the urban clearway
Someone sings his favourite song
Guitar in a battered hardcase
Thumbing as he walks along
Thanking him for inspiration
Trying to complete the mine ??
Walking in a dream and he doesn't seem to see the climb.

When will you lift your lift your eyes
Burning skies are promising the dawn
Forget the part you played in the masquerade
And maybe a song will help you go on

Doodle ootin doo doo
Doodle ootin doodle doo

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Chords for 'The Climb'
From: maeve
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 05:50 PM

Unsure about "...complete the mine" thus the ?? there.

Normally I check Archie's lyrics with him...can't do that anymore. Sorry.

Can anyone supply workable chords please?

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Chords for 'The Climb'
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 09:21 PM

Trying to complete the mind.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'The Climb' (Archie Fisher)
From: maeve
Date: 25 Oct 25 - 01:31 PM

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'The Climb' (Archie Fisher)
From: GUEST,johnmc
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 12:31 PM

Here's my effort for the verse part:
guitar capo 1
   key Bb (m)

Am.                     Dm
I was ................ clearway
                                 Am
Sending.............. came
                                     C
Maybe................... someday
                                     Bb
Everyone............... name
                                     Dm
Even..................... hard way
Am.                                 Bb
Maybe. .................... time
Am.                                       G
Everywhere.................... worth it
                                       A
When .................,,,,. climb

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'The Climb' (Archie Fisher)
From: GUEST,johnmc
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 12:38 PM

Archie Fisher is one of the 'greats' who has written so many wonderful songs all with
poetic lyrics.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'The Climb' (Archie Fisher)
From: GUEST,johnmc
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 12:50 PM

Do the lyrics start ' Arrows on the .. )
Also, " complete the mime " ?

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'The Climb' (Archie Fisher)
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 01:37 PM

According to the lyrics from Barbara Dickson’s album, it’s ‘complete the mind’.

https://lyrhub.com/en/track/Barbara-Dickson/The-Climb

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'The Climb' (Archie Fisher)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 04:36 PM

Did Archie Fisher ever record this, or did he write it to perform with Barbara Dickson? How much did he perform with Barbara Dickson?

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'The Climb' (Archie Fisher)
From: GUEST,johnmc
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 05:01 PM

From folk documentaries, I recall his describing Barbara as a central figure in the folk scene in Edinburgh particularly which he belonged to, in the 50's and 60's.
They certainly performed together and he is playing on the album from which this song comes.
They reunited on film in a documentary in later years.
Barbara caused controversy recently by her harsh views on pub sessions.