Old City Bar - Trans-Siberian Orchestra | Song Tabs - Guitar Chord Sheets

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Old City Bar Trans-Siberian Orchestra

The original "Old City Bar" is a gentle ballad with a reflective, storytelling vibe. Its piano-driven arrangement adapts beautifully to acoustic guitar, making it ideal for solo performers or singalongs.

Chords & Progression

The song uses basic open chords: G, D, Em, C, Bm, Am.
Bm may be challenging for beginners; try using a simplified Bm (e.g., x24432 with just the top four strings) if needed.

The progression is repetitive, so once learned, it stays consistent throughout most sections.

Strumming Pattern

A soft, slow 4/4 strumming pattern suits the song’s mood:

Down – Down – Up – Up – Down – Up
Keep the strumming gentle; try accenting the first down strum for each bar to reflect the ballad style.

Alternatively, use a simple Down–Down–Down–Down for each beat, especially for verses to maintain a calm atmosphere.

Chord Transitions & Tips

Practice moving between G–D–Em and C–Bm–Am–D, as these sequences repeat often.
Lift your fingers minimally when switching chords for smoother transitions.
For the Bm to Am or C change, pivot your index finger for efficiency.

Techniques & Advice

Play slowly, focusing on clean chord changes.
Listen to the original for timing cues.
If singing, keep the strumming soft to let vocals shine.

Enjoy the storytelling, and let the gentle rhythm guide the performance.

G

D

Em

C

Bm

Am

Intro

G D Em G C Bm D

Verse 1

In anG old cityD bar, that'sEm never tooG far

From theC places thatBm gather, theAm dreams that haveD been

In theG safety ofD night, with itsEm old neonG light

ItC beckons toBm strangers and theyAm always comeD in

Chorus 1

And theG snow it wasD falling, theEm neon wasG calling

TheC music wasBm low, and theAm night, ChristmasD Eve

AndG here was theD danger,Em even withG strangers

InC side of this night, it's easiD er, to beG lieve

G D Em G C G D

Verse 2

Then theG door openedD wide, and aEm child came inG side

That noC one in theBm bar, hadAm seen there beD fore

And heG asked did weD know, that outEm side in theG snow

ThatC someone wasBm lost, standingAm outside ourD door

Verse 3

Then theG bartenderD gazed, through theEm smoke and theG haze

Through theC window andBm ice, to aAm corner streetD light

WhereG standing aD lone, by aEm broken payG phone

Was aC girl the childBm said, could noG longer getD home

Bridge

Then theC bartenderG came out, from beD hind theG bar

And inC all of hisG life, he wasD never thatG far

And heC did somethingG else, that heD thought no oneG saw

When heC took all theG cash, from theC registerG drawer

Chorus 2

If youG want to arrange it, thisEm world you can change it

IfC we could someBm how, make thisAm Christmas thingD last

ByG helping aD neighbor, orEm even aG stranger

ToC know who needs help, you needD only justG ask

G D Em G C G D

Final Chorus

When theG snow it wasD falling, theEm neon wasG calling

InC case you shouldBm wonder, inAm case you shouldD care

WhyG we on ourD own,Em never wentG home

On thatC night of all nights, we were alreadyC there

G D G C G Am G