Intro and Instrumental
The song begins with a D chord strummed repeatedly before transitioning to a Dsus2 chord. This pattern repeats throughout the intro and instrumental sections. The strumming pattern here is a simple downstroke, which is easy for beginners. However, be sure to emphasize the transition from the D to Dsus2 chord, as this change adds a unique sound to the overall song.
Chord Transitions
The verses involve a variety of chord transitions. Start by practicing the transitions between Dmaj7, D7, and G in the first verse. These chords require a similar finger positioning, which makes the transition smoother.
Unique Chords
This song uses several unique chords such as Cmaj7, Gadd, and A7sus4. Practice these chords separately before attempting to incorporate them into the song.
Strumming Pattern
The strumming pattern for most of the song is a simple down-up-down-up pattern. This pattern should be maintained consistently throughout the song. However, on lines with quicker chord changes, like "[G] Lord Lord [A] Lord, [Gadd] Lord Lord [A] Lord, [A7sus4] she was al[D]right," it may be easier to use a single down strum for each chord.
Song Dynamics
In terms of dynamics, the song is quite expressive. Pay attention to the lyrics' tone and adjust your strumming intensity accordingly. For instance, during the verses, keep your strumming light to allow the lyrics to stand out. Conversely, strum more forcefully during the chorus to match the song's increasing energy.
Practice Tips
As a final tip, break the song down into sections and practice them individually before attempting the whole song. This will help you get more comfortable with the chord changes and strumming patterns.
Remember, the key to playing this song well is practice, patience, and attention to the song's dynamics.
IntroD D D D Dsus2 D Dsus2 D
D D D D Dsus2 D Dsus2 D
D D D D Dsus2 D Dsus2 D
D D D D Dsus2 D Dsus2 D
Verse 1It was an early morningDmaj7 bar room, and theD7 place, just openedG up.
And theEm little man, came in so fast, and he, started at hisA7 cups.
And theD broad who served theDmaj7 whisky, she was a,D7 big old friendlyG girl,
WhoEm tried to fight her empty nights, by smilin' at theA7 world.
And sheG said "Hey Bub it's, it'sA been a while,F#m since you been aB7 round.
Where theEm hell you beenA7 hidin', andG whG y you look soD doD wn?"
Well theG little man justA sat there, like he'd,G neverA heard aD sound.
TheCm waitress she giveG out with a cough and,
Bb Acting not theF least put off sheEm spoke, onceA again. She said,
D "I don't want toG bother you, consider it's underEm stood.
I know I'm not noA7 beauty queen but IEm surrr-A7 rre,A7sus4 can listenD good."
Verse 2And theG littG le man, took hisA drA ink in his hand and heEm raiseEm d it, to hisD lipD s.
HeG tooG k a couple ofD sipD s, and then heEm tolllld the waitA ress hisD story.D G A A7
ID am, the midnightAm watchman, down atC Miller'sG Tool andD Die.
D And IG watch, the metalF#m rusting, IBm watch the time goCmaj7 by.
AG week ago, at theEm diner, IF#m stopped to get aB7 bite.
AndEm this here lovely laA dy, she satG two seatsGadd from myD right.
AndG Lord LordA Lord,Gadd Lord LordA Lord,A7sus4 she was alD right.
Verse 3You see, she was so damnedAm beautiful, that she couldC warm aG winterD frost.
D ButG she looked long pastF#m lonely, andBm well nigh, ontoCmaj7 lost.
NowG I'm not much of aEm mover, or aF#m pick-em-up easyB7 guy,
But I deEm cided to glide onA over, andG give her oneGadd goodD try.
AndG Lord LordA Lord,Gadd Lord LordA Lord,A7sus4 she was worth aD try.
Verse 4Well I was, tongued-tied like aAm school boy, IC stammeredG out someD words.
ItG did not seem toF#m matter much, 'causeBm I don't think sheCmaj7 heard.
SheG just looked clear onEm through me, to aF#m space back in myB7 head.
ItEm shamed me, into siA lence, asG quietGadd ly sheD said:
'If you want me, to comeG with you, thenEm that's alright withA me.
Cause IEm know I'm goingA7 nowhere, andEm anywhere's, aA7 betterA7sus4 place toD be.'
D G Em A ,Em A7 Em Anywhere's aA7 betterA7sus4 place toD be.
InstrumentalD D D D Dsus2 D Dsus2 D
D D D D Dsus2 D Dsus2 D
D D D D Dsus2 D Dsus2 D
Verse 5Well I drove on, to myDmaj7 boarding house, and ID7 took her up to myGadd room.
And IEm went to turn on the only light, toEm brighten up theA7 gloom.
But sheDm said, "Please leave the light off, ohGm I don't mind the dark."
And as herF clothes all tumbled 'round her,Asus I could hear myA heart.
TheD moonlight shone upAm on her, as sheC lay backG in myD bed.
It was theG kind of scene IF#m only hadBm imagined in myCmaj7 head.
IG just could not beEm lieve it, toF#m think that she wasB7 real.
AndEm as I tried toA tell her, she said "Gadd Shhhh, I know just how youD feel.
And if you want, to come hereG with me, thenEm that's alright withA me.
'CauseEm I've been oh soA7 lonely, lovin'Em someone, is aA7 betterA7sus4 way toD be."
D G Em A ,Em A7 Em Anywhere's aA7 betterA7sus4 place toD be.D G A A7
Verse 6Well theD morning came soAm swiftly. IC held herG in myD arms.
AndG she slept like aF#m baby,Bm snug and safe fromCmaj7 harm.
IG did not want toEm share her, orF#m dare to break theB7 mood,
So beEm fore she woke IA went out, toG buy us both someD food.
Dm I came back, with my paper bag, toGm find, that she was gone.
She'dF left a six word letter, saying, 'It'sGm timeGm , that I movedD on.'D Bm D ,Gm Gm D
InstrumentalD D D D Dsus2 D Dsus2 D
D D D D Dsus2 D Dsus2 D
D D D D Dsus2 D Dsus2 D
D D D D Dsus2 D Dsus2 D
Verse 7You know the waitress, she took herDmaj7 bar rag, and sheD7 wiped it across herG eyes.
AndEm as she spoke, her voice came out as,Em something, like aA7 sigh.
She said "ID wish, that I wasDmaj7 beautiful, or thatD7 you were halfwayG blind.
And IEm wish I weren't so goddamn fat, IEm wish that you wereA7 mine.
And IG wish, that you'd come with me-A ee,F#m when I leave forB7 home.
For weEm both know all about emptiA ness, andG livin' all aD lone."
OutroAnd theG little man, looked at theF#m empty glass in his hand.
And heEm smiled, a crookedD grin, He said "I, IEm guess I'm out ofD gin.
And IEm know, we both haveD been, soG loneA ly.
And ifA7 youD want, me to comeG with you, then that's alright withEm me.
'Cause I know, I'm goin'A7 nowhere, and anywhere's, aEm better,A7 place, toD be."D Bm D Gm Gm D
