A Better Place To Be - Harry Chapin | Song Tabs

A Better Place To Be Harry Chapin

Harry Chapin's "A Better Place To Be" is a classic storytelling ballad. The original version features gentle fingerpicking and a flowing, expressive vocal, giving the song its emotional depth. The chord progression and tempo make it very approachable for beginner guitarists.

Chords & Transitions

Most of the song uses basic open chords: D, G, Em, A7, Dmaj7, D7, Am, C, Bm, and F#m. There are a few less common chords (such as B7, Cmaj7, Bb, Gm, and A7sus4), but these can be played as open or simple barre chords. Practice switching between D, G, and Em smoothly, as these are the backbone of the song.

For Dsus2 and A7sus4, just lift your finger from the high E string (for Dsus2) or add your pinky to the 3rd fret of the B string (for A7sus4).

Strumming Pattern

A simple pattern like: down-down-up-up-down-up works well throughout. For a softer, storytelling feel, use light, even strums and play closer to the soundhole.

On the intro and instrumental sections, you can gently arpeggiate (pick individual strings of) the chords for a delicate effect, or stick to light strumming. Pay attention to the dynamics – quieter verses, fuller choruses.

Tips for Beginners

Take the chord transitions slowly, especially with chords like Bm and F#m, which may require barre fingerings. Break down difficult lines and practice them separately. Use a capo if needed to better match your vocal range.

Above all, focus on the story and keep your playing steady and supportive.

Dsus2

Dmaj7

F#m

Cmaj7

Asus

Intro

D D D D Dsus² D Dsus² D

Verse 1

It 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,A^7sus4 can listenD good."

Verse 2

And 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 seatsG^add from myD right.

AndG Lord LordA Lord,G^add Lord LordA Lord,A^7sus4 she was alD right.

Verse 3

You 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 oneG^add goodD try.

AndG Lord LordA Lord,G^add Lord LordA Lord,A^7sus4 she was worth aD try.

Verse 4

Well 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 quietG^add 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 betterA^7sus4 place toD be.'

D G Em A ,Em A⁷ Em Anywhere's aA⁷ betterA^7sus4 place toD be.

Instrumental

D D D D Dsus² D Dsus² D

Verse 5

Well I drove on, to myDmaj⁷ boarding house, and ID⁷ took her up to myG^add 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 "G^add 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 betterA^7sus4 way toD be."

D G Em A ,Em A⁷ Em Anywhere's aA⁷ betterA^7sus4 place toD be.D G A A⁷

Verse 6

Well 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

Instrumental

D D D D Dsus² D Dsus² D

Verse 7

You 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."

Outro

And 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