"(DON'T FEAR) THE REAPER" Blue Oyster Cult

As hea rd on Agents of Fortune (COLUMB IA)

Words and Music by Donald Roeser • Transcribed by Andy Aledort and Matt Scharfglass

m ii5frm II IISfr.7fr
A5 G F6sus2 F5 G5 A5v E5 Am7 Fm G7 Fadd2 G/D

mm •
XO

11

IA] Intro
xx

(O:OO
)
21
ooxx

13
oo xx

•
14
xxxx

14
xxxx

II II 14
O xxxx

lli]
XO

1st Ver se (0:14)

23 14
xxx

32 1
xxx

32 1
xx

32 14
000

Moderate ly q = 144 (1.) All our times have come

(3.) Here but now they're gone
A5 G F6sus2 G A5 G F6sus2 G
*G trs. I and 2 (e lec. w/light dist.)
/er ring
Rhy. Fig. I ___ _ _____ ______ ____ ____ (p/t,y 4 times)
__ _____ _,
(play 4 times)

2- 0 0 0 0 2- 0 0 0
2 0 0 0 2 0 0
0

*Gtr. I only l s1 lim e

3
2

play 3rd and 4th times only _ _ _ ___ ____ ___ __ _____ __ ,
3
I I I 3
2 0
3
2 3
I I I 3
2

Bass !Jass Fig. I _ __________ - ___ __ _____ ___ _____ , !Jass Fig. 2 _ .- __ ____ _ _ :- _ __ ____ _ _ __ ____ (play
____ 4 times)
,

[g 1st Pre-choru s (0:27)

Seasonsdon't fear the reaper Nor do the wind the sun or the rain r,le can be like they are) Comeon baby
F5 G5 A5v FS ES A5v GS F6sus2 G
Gtrs . I ru,d 2
5 *
0
0
7 -+--l- +- -+--+-+--11---1-- 3 2 7 3 2

Bass *repeat pr evious cho rd

5 -+-I---I--+--!~+--+----'- - 1 0 5
I I I 3

3 - 3 - 3- 3 - 2-2-2 - X
5-7
1-- 1- 1 - 3 -3-+--l--'--- 5-5
I L.....I

(Don't fear the reaper) Baby take my hand

(Don't fear the reaper) We'll be able to fly
(Don't fear the reaper) Baby I'm your man
A5 G F6sus2 G AS G F6sus2 G
Gtrs. I and 2 play Rhy. Fifi . I (see met1s. I)
Ctr. 3 (clec . w/dist.)
10 G trs . I and 2 (play 3 times) full
n-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-15-1 3 -12 - 12) 13 --12 ~~-,/'-~~~~~~~~~~
1+:-
~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ f-~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~--,--lf- ~ ~ +---1~ -1-~ +-.:.....+~~~ +- -+-15 - 15 - 13 -1 2 ~~ ~~ ~ .....

Bass plays Bass Fig. 2/our times s imile (see meas. 3)

[QJJ st Choru s (0:56)

La la la la la
A5 G F6sus2 G AS G F6sus2 G
Gtrs . I and 2 play Rhy. Fig. I fo ur times (see meas. I) full
14
,-, ---- - I
-14 12 -
--
13 - 113) -12 -- -15 -+
- ---<15) - r--.
15-:....115) - 13 - 12 --
1-(1 4' I (14/ 12 I 14 12- -- 14 ---1
I I 14
I I I
I I I I I I I I I I I I I
Bass plays Bass Fig. 2/o ur times s imile (see meas. 3)
La la la la la
AS G F6sus2 G AS G F6sus2 G
1s~ 1/2
1
~ :..,.,''-<--
~~~~ ~~ --1~~~ ~~ ~~~-, 1-~ ~~~ ~--,:: ,..<......,,--.-
~- - 11- -+~ -+,.....f''-"-
"<-~ ~~~~..-,===-~ ~~ ~ -12- ~ -='--'
l-' 1~4.l"_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-.::..:-_-_-
_-_-_-_-_-_-~_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_+
r--~_::_
--+ ~ - 1---1-- -1 1-----+- ~-+ -+--+ -+1_6~).::_ -_--+14~ -4 1_2_
-~1_4_-~1~2.:::::: - --__-~;~- - _- _- +1_
4_-1
14

Copyright© 1976S<my/ATV Tunes LLC. All Rights Adm nistered by Sony/ATVMusic Publishing, 8 Music Square West Nashville. TN 37203.
lntematicmal Copyright Secured. A I Rights Reserved. Reprinted by Permission of Hal LeOf,ardC0tporatcon.

1
 "(DON'T FEAR) THE REAPER"
A5 G F6sus
2 G Am7
Gtr.3 fdbk.
22 AANV~/Vv'VV~/Vv'VV~/Vv'VV'~NV~/Vv'VV~/Vv'VV'~/Vv~/Vv'VVV'V'./Vv'VV'~NV~/Vv'VV~

- -------- - - - - .I
-,
,- 14)' (14)
I
I
: °'(14j
I
I
' I
- -

I
pitch: A
Gtrs. I and 2
Rhy. Fig. 2 /'I- - - - - - - - - n end Rhy. Fig . 2
3 3
0- 1 1
2- 0 0 0 0- 2 2
2 I I 0 I 0 0 -- 0- 2 2
- o l I I 2 I I 3 2 0 0
1
I I I I 3 I I I I I I I 3 I I I

Bass
Bass Fig. 3

7
7
5
5 I
3
3,
5
5
- -- - - -- - - -
- 5-
I I
5
I I 3- 3 I
I
I
I
1- - 1
I I I I 3- 3 I l 5 5

Gtr. I substitutes Fill I second time (see below)

A5 G F6sus2 G A5 G F6sus2 G
Ger. I (ls ccimc) Gtrs. I and 2(1s t t ime )
26 C tr. 2 (2nd t ime) C tr. 2 (2nd time)
II - II

~
II •
II
2- 0 0 0 0 2- 0 0 0
2 0 0 0 2 0
• 0 0

II
I 2
f!-:-- o I I I
2 3 2 0 2 3 I I II
1 3 3 1 3
I I I I
3 I I I
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
l I I I I

Bass e11d Bass Fig. 3

• II
I•
- - ..,
I / - ' - 7 7 -7 ·5 - 7--;fl

~Bass substitutes Bass Fig. I Mi ce 2nd time (see meas. I)

t:::l LJ

jm 2 nd Ve r se (1:23)
( 1.) Valentine is done
(2.) Here but now they're gone
A5 G F6sus2 G A5 G F6sus2 G
30 Gtr. 3 plays Fill 2 second time

0
2
2- 0
2
0
0
3
0
0
2
0
0 -1-- -- 2-...__,_
- 2 - 0____
------ 0 -'------
o,-...__,_ ____ o o ------ I
3 - 1----~~-- _-::_-_-:._
-:!_
-:=ro~=~==~== ~==-3-:..-=.
~2 ~-=,'::_-::._-=,'::_---~~--~~~
, ~~ ~1~
----~~~-=-
3~=~2-+---+- ~
3
I I I
Bass plays Bass Fig. I (see meas. I) Bass plays Bass Fig. 2 (see meas. 3)

[!'.:]2 nd P re -choru s (1:37)

Romeo and Juliet are togetherin eternity (Romeo and Ju ·
F5 G5 A5v F5 E5 A5v G5
34

3 5 7 2 7 5
1 3 5 0 5 0- 3

1- 1- 1 - 1- 0 - 0- 0 - 0 5- 5 - 5 - 5 - 3 - 3- 3 - 0
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Fill I (1:17, 3:30)

Gtr. I (play 4 times)

2
"(DON'T FEAR) THE REAPER"
!. , 2. 3.
Forty thousandmenand womenevery day
liet) (LikeRomeo and Juliet)
Forty thousandmenand womenevery day Another
(Redefine happiness)
forty thousandcomin' every day Comeon ba-
c,Necan be like they are)
FS GS ASv GS ASv GS F6sus2 G
38

0
0
3 3r 5 5 7""-<-5 7 7""-<-
5 3 2
1 1r 3 3 5""-<-3 5 5""-<-
3 1
I I I I
3

3 3
3 2- 5 5- 7 5 ,. 5-7 5 3
1-
I
1
I I I 3- 3 5-
I
5
I I I
3-
LJ
3
I
5-5
I I I
3-
LJ
3 1-
I
1
I I I 3- 3

by (Don't fear the reaper) Baby take my hand

(Don't fear the reaper) We'll be able to fly
(Don't fear the reaper) Baby I'm your man
AS G F6sus2 G AS G F6sus2 G
Gtr.,. I and 2 pla y Rhr. Fig. I (see meas. I)
112
42 Gtrs. I and 2
11
1 1•
(play 3 time.,) Gtr. 3
12
12 -( 12) (12) -
) >
---
10 -+( 10
-- -
11
2- 0 0 0 0 ., l l II
2 0 0 0 l T
~o 2 3 2 'T l TT T
II
II
I I I I ? I I I
1
I I I I ? I I I v v y
Ba ss plays Ba ss Fig. 2fo ur times simile (see meas. 3)

[g] 2nd Choru s (2:09)

La la la la la La la la la la
AS G F6sus2 G AS G F6sus2 G AS G F6sus2 G
Gtrs. J and 2 play Rhy. Fig. I f our times (see meas . I )
Gtr. 3
46~
H 10)
l I 12 --- '
12 - (12) (12) - 10 -----'
--- H 10)-- .8 ,-L 10-10
--
- 10 - 1{1~
-- - - - fdbk

(10'
I
I
I
I
I
- I
I
..
~ I

I I
I I I
~
I
L.J I/ pitch: A
Ba ss pla ys Bass Fig. 2 fo ur 11111
es s 11111/e
(se e me as. 3)

Grrs. I and 2 f'/r,y Rh v. Fig. 2 (see meas. 22)

112
52 fdbk.

(10) -10 - 12 -12 -(12) 12 -(12) 101\--- ---U 1011---- --Ul 011------U 10 1-------+

pi tch: A
Bass pla ys Bass Fig. 3 (see meas. 22)

[IDInt er lu de (2:30)
Fm G7
Gtr. I (w/clean tone)
58 Rhy. Fig . 3
8 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 7
9 9 9 9 8 8 8 8 8
~ 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 - \=l
I I
l

I I I I I I I I I I I l ' l l
I
I
I

Fm G7
end Rhy. Fig. 3
8 8 8 7
9
10 10 10 10

3
 "(DON'T FEAR) THE REAPER"
[I] Guitar Solo (2:44)
Fm G7
Gtr. I repeats Rlty. Fig. 3 (see meas. 58) 112

66 Gtr. 3 .f---:~ ....--.... ~

1-
~- ---11_s-+1_s-+
1_3+1__
s +1_s +1_s +-
1 s_ 1-s-111-s-+1_s-+
1_s+1_s +1_s +1_s -+
(1_s_) -+
i_ (,+-
1 s_)-+13_11-
s-111-3_,+-
12---1-
11-3_(113-_>_·+-
1 s_-+ 1_
s -t-,- _,(+1s_)
1
~- ; 5,- . - - - - - - - - - (; sr __
15
_ 1 _ 1 _ 1 -::
6 5 8 16
-j
1 1
..- I I I I I I

--- --- --
- I I I I I I
I \ I I I 11 I

Gtr. 2
--- 6 --- 3 L J-'
I
'-- J ---' - I

Riff A end Riff A

I
h I
1-h-• ----- -------- --- +- - 5 -· ----+r 3, I - -_:_-l. 6 -=----f 5 +-------<:
1-~-
-i--·------------~-----~
""'~
=-=-"-<--
<f->.:::.===
=~
f-"-c:
-cpl
~<4....,.
"'-+-i----l'-"-- , --- +1-f--'-
"-=--=--=--=--=
l--;
~·l--
'(+~)
.:::.:::-+
~---,---' ====11
'--,(+~t -=1., ~====.:::.:::.:::_
Bass
Bass Fig. 4 end Bass Fig. 4

Fm G7
Ctr. 2 plays Riff A twa and one half times (see meas. 66)
1---------f---..,_
1
Gtr. 3
70 __.,,!_-----.
[ '5 - ('5) - ('5) -
112
,- ----,
(15) ..,,.......
19 - 19 2I 19 - 19-(19)
~ ----,
_.../_ +
-(19) - 19 - (19) 1 15 - '5 --
, -- - ,
'5 - ('5) ->H
H25] .......----...
, - -- -,

D I Il l D I I l l DI DIDI
'--- 3 ---'
Bass plays Bass Fig. 4 two and one half rimes (see meas. 69)
L.__ 3 ----'

Gtr. 3 Fm
73 , - ,
- (15) - 15 -- 151615 \-13 ·15°-- 131513 , 12 ,- 13° 12
15 - 15 ->-- 13
----- (13) - 12 -13 -12 - 12 -- -- -
12 >-- 12 ·13 ·12 - (12) ----=-j
I I I I I
I I I I I I
v =t:::::: I::..
3
- ......
3
~
- - ::::L. l::::LJ I
Gtr. I
- 7 7 7 I 8 8 8 8 8
8 8 I 9 9 9 9 9
10 10 I
10 10 10 10 10 10 - F=l
I I
I I
I I I

G7 1/2 Fm
76 ~ D t
-
--(12)° -- 12
15 (15)(15) 13
I
13
16 - -15
I
- 16 - 13 - 15 - 15-::, 5 + 15 -- 15 - 131513 ,,.12 - 13 -121312 ~12
13 ->-- 13 '<12 - 12 '<10 - 10 - 12
-j
I

--
I I I I I I I
I \ I I I I I I I I I

I v I I w....
3 3
I I I I

- 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 I 8 8 8 -i
8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9
>-- - 10 -t-- >--10 10 10 - - - 10 I
I 10 10 I
10 10 10
I I I I
I I I I
I I I I I I LJ

4
"(DON'T FEAR) THE REAPER"
G7 Fm G7
Gtr. I plays Rhy. Fig. 3 (see meas. 58)
G tr. 3 ~P .H. ___ , let ri11
g ____ .,
ao~
13
I I
---
....._12 • 12 .,.
, ..
13 -f-o- 12 --
12
13 - 12
12 -..,10~
, .. 10; .. 10 + 10 - 10 - 12 - 13
I I
13

\
13

\
I
I
I
(12)
I
I
L.....J L.....J L.....J L.....J
.
pitch: ~
I
c
I I
v II
Gtr . I
7 7 7 7 7 a ~~a~a ~~a~~~1 ~~1 ~~~
......_5 ,.
10
8
10
8
'':
, .. 10
8
10
8
,
... 10 9t->-10t-
....
->-- 9 --
>- 10
9 ~ 9 -- 9-
.- 10 ~ - 10 -~1
I I
I
0
I
I
8 -1-- 8 --8-
~~ 10 >-- 10 >-
I
I
\
I
I
I
I I LJ LJ L L.LU LUU LL- L _LJ -LL LL-
Gtr.2
I

- -- I~
_,:; s·
1r.,
IF I

,__ 3•
2 - (2) -- 5 .~ \.5/
5
I
l "::I::
I r1'
-- - - - I
I r 1,
'i'
- --
I
Bass
v I I v I I
-
2-(2)- - 5
- - L'J'

,,:. 5
s· 5 Ih
IF -- ---
I
I
-- -- - ---
~3· 1- 1\ r 1' (1)-1 - 1-1 ---1@)
I v I I v I I I I I I

Gtr .3 112 Fm G7
85 AAA __;~ fdbk. - - - - - - - - - , fdbk. - - - - - - - -
--
~(12 ) - 12
15 - (15) -(15)
12 - 12 ""' 10 -1-
--
10 -----( 10~·
--- - - 10 -1 2 -+( 12'
------- :( 12)' ------- .I I
'I
<10~· I
I I I I I
I I I I I I I
I I I I I I I I
LJ G
pitch: C
Gtr. 2
I I
I I
,-, I I
-------
----------- -, 1 \
I I

~ lf 3 \ ll 3' I
1
Bass
let ring- - - - - - - - - - - -,
,-, I I
------- '
'5
/ f' ----------- I ------- .I I

7 I
1 3' ' 3

(3:23) A5
G F6sus2 G A5 G F6sus2 G
Ctr . 1 substitute s Fill 1 seco nd time
Ctr . 3 sus{{li11
s f eedba ck until meas. 96
Gtr. I ( I Sl time) Gtrs. I an d 2 ( I st time)
90 Gtr. 2 (2nd lime) Gtr. 2 (2nd time)

0 0 2-0 0
0 0 2 0
3 2 0 2
I I I 3 3

Substitute Bass Fig. 1 sim ile second time (see meas. I) Substitute Bass Fig. 2 seco nd time (see meas. 3)

-------- ---
[II 3rd Verse (3:37)
(1.) Love of two is one
(3.) Here but now they're gone
A5 G F6sus2 G A5 G F6sus2 G
Cm . 1 and 2 play Rhy. Fig. I (see meas. I)
1~ ~::,ctasc
(let ring i111
0

r 1r1r
94 Gtrs . I and 2 (pllly 3 times) Gtr . 3 ~---. nex
~~".:~s_:)
l0 2- 0 0 0 0

JG
,. ,2__.l---+--1 --=-_.3=,_2=---:..._1
_0_ --I ~ ~--t--t
3
I
0

I I - 3
2
I
0

I -11 ii
Bass plays Bas s Fig. 2/ our times sim ile (see meas. 3)

5
 "(DON'T FEAR) THE REAPER"
[RJ3rd Pre-chorus (3:50)
Camethe last nightof and it was clear she couldn't go on Thenthe
FS GS FS ES GS
98 Gtrs. I ancJ2

3--+-+--+-5--+-+-- --ll--+--+-+--1- ---1-+--+- -+--+ -+-- 2 --<- -+---+-+- 7--<--+---+- .5--<--+---+---t

1 3--+-+-- --11--+--+-+--1----1-+--'- - - +--+-+- - o
, 5 3--<- -+---+-~
Bass

1- 1-1 - 1- 3 - 3 --+-+--'-- 5 - 5 --<--+- --+-+- -+---<-~+---+---<--+---+-+---+- --<-~5-5-5-5-3 -3 -3-o

I I I I I I I I I I I I
1.,2. 3.
door was open and the wind appeared The
candles blew and then disappeared The
curtains flew and then he appeared (saying don't be afraid)
105FS GS ASV GS ASv GS

3--+--+-- 3. -;:,--<--5--+--+-- 7--+--+--7 ............

5---+----+-- 7 -+- -+- - 7-...,-5 - +--+- -+---I
1 1-;:,--<-3--+- -+- - 5 5 ............
3 - --+----+-- 5 5-...,-3 - +--+-- +-~

H- - --- -- 3 ---------+-- ---- -- -------- -+t--- -- -----------~

H- - --- 3 - -l-r----- 2- 5 --+---- - 3- 7- ---- 2-3 - ------3-7---
:...
-:::::
...
i:::::::::l::::::::=
1--3- 3-+----t-
-..._15- 15-+l- -+l--3- 3- +----i- - 15- 15-+l- ~l--3- -3-+----r--'
...... -

(4:09)
Comeon baby (1.) (Andshe had no fear) Andshe ran
to him Theylookedbackwardandsaid
<2·> ! {Thenthey started to fly)
goodbye She had taken his hand
<3-)
(4.)
l (Shehadbecomelike
(Shehadbecomelike
they
they
are)
are) Comeon baby (Don't fear the reaper)
FS GS ASv GS FS GS ASV GS
Gtr. 2 pla ys Rhy. Fill I 1111tilfad
e (see below) Gtr. J pfo ys R!ry . Fig. 4 11111ilfad
e
Gtr . I
108 . . 4 __ ____
Rhy . F,g _____ ___ ______ ___ (play 4 times)
__________ _, (see meas. 109)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0-
-3 5 .7 5 3 5 7 5
-1 3 5 3 1 3 5 3
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
(pla y 4 times) Bas s plays Basf Fig. 2 (see meas . J)
II• • II
3 II II 7
3 2-5 5-5 3-7 2-3 0-3 2-5 • II 7 5~
- 1- 1
I I I I 3-3 I I
II•
I I I I 3-3 I I
1-1
I I I I 3-3 I I I
5-5
I I I 3-3 I I

[1] Out r o (4:26) play 7 times and Jade out

FS GS ASv GS FS GS GS FS GS
Gtr. 3
112 12
r-.._,_ ... ... -- ------- ------- 12
t---....., - ,vv-,.

12:::::. 12) (12) -10 - f-;{1oy , 10: ,10' 12-:::::112J-112i -10-; I

1 '
1

I I I I I I I
full full
Gtr. 4 (e lec. w/dist.)
17
,------.. --..
... ------- ------- ~13) 17
,------.. ~

\.
15 ==115) -(15) -13 -lf.(13) I ·"
\13/ -
I
I \. 15-:=.(15) -(15) -1 3 .;if
l. I I I I I I I I I l. I I I I ·I
I I I I I I• I I I I I I I • II
I I I 11 I I I I I I I II
I I I I I I I I
Bass pla ys Bass Fig. 2 twice (see meas. 3), then Bass Fig. 5 (see below) umi/Jade

Rhy. Fill I (4:08) Bass Fig. 5 (4:33)

Fadd2 GJD Am7 G/D
Gtr. 2 > > > >
(AS) (GS) (FS) (GS)

l~i~
I I
O
t i=±~
I I ' II
Ii I 5- 5
I I
2- 3
I I I
2
5-3
LJ I
1-1
I
0- 3
I I 3-3
I I
2- 5~
I I