Note: This is how I learned the song. If you want to play
along with the recorded version, you need to drop everything
one half step (i.e. F->E, Bb->A, etc.). At the end of this post,
along with the fingerings for the listed chords, I'll list the
half-step dropped chords/fingerings also.
Corrections/Criticisms/Comments welcome
(Please mail these to
F Bb C
She came from Providence
C F
The one in Rhode Island
F Bb C
Where the old world shadows hang
C F
Heavy in the air
F Bb C
She packed her hopes and dreams
C F
Like a refugee
F Bb C
Just as her father came
C F F F F F+
Across the sea
She heard about a place
People were smiling
Spoke about the red man's ways
How they loved the land
They came from everywhere
To the Great Divide
Seeking a place to stand
Or a place to hide
Down in the crowded bars
Out for a good time
Can't wait to tell you all
What it's like up there
They called it paradise
I don't know why
Somebody laid the mountains low
While the town got high
F F F F F+
Dm Dm Dm Dm Dm*
F F F F F+
Dm Dm Dm Dm Dm*
When the chilly winds blew down
Across the canyon
Through the canyons of the coast
To the malibus
Where the pretty people played
Hungry for power
To light their neon ways
Give 'em things to do
Some rich man came and raped the land
Nobody caught him
Put up a bunch of ugly boxes
And Jesus people bought them
They called it paradise
The place to be
They watched the hazy sun
Sinking in the sea
(Key Change: changes from F to Ab)
Ab Db Eb
You can leave it all behind
Eb Ab
Sail to Lahaina
Ab Db Eb
Just like the missionaries did
Eb Ab
So many years ago
Ab Db Eb
They even brought a neon sign
Eb Ab
Jesus is Coming
Ab Db Eb
Brought the white man's burden down
Eb Ab Ab Ab Ab Ab+
Brought the white man's reign
And we'll provide the grand design
What is yours and what is mine
'Cuz there is no more new frontier
We have got to make it here
We satisfied our endlees needs
And justified our bloody deeds
In the name of destiny
And in the name of God
And you can see them there
On sunday morning
Stand up and sing about
What it's like up there
They called it paradise
I don't know why
To call someplace paradise
Kiss it goodbye
Ab Ab Ab Ab Ab+
Fm Fm Fm Fm Fm*
Ab Ab Ab Ab Ab+
Fm Fm Fm Fm Fm* (repeat this and fade)
-----
Chords Used:
Listed Chords: Chords Dropped 1/2 step:
F: 133211 E: 022100
Bb: x13331 or 688766 A: x02220
C: x32010 or 8aa988 B: x24442
F+: 133311 (Faug?) E+: 022200
Dm: xx0231 C#m: x46654
Dm*: xx0331 C#m*: X47654
After key change:
Ab: 466544 G: 355433 or 320003
Db: x46664 C: x32010
Eb: x68886 D: xx0232
Ab+: 466644 G+: 355533
Fm: 133111 Em: 022000
Fm*: 133121 Em*: 022010
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Sekhar Narayanaswami
"I wanna find myself a girl
Who can show me what laughter means
And we'll fill in the missing numbers
In each others paint-by-number dreams" -- Jackson Browne
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