[Intro]
F C F Bb F C Bb F Dm C F C Bb F
[Verse 1]
Gm F C F
In the middle of a Tennesee mid-winter rain
F C
A two-headed lamb, was by the old ewe born
Bb F
And as she latched onto her mother
Dm Bb
The cry rang out double
F C Bb Dm F
And she was dead in the meadow by the morning
Bb F C Bbsus2
[Verse 2]
F C F
Before the fog had lifted the coyotes picked her clean
F C
And the old ewe resigned herself to lay in hay and bleed
Bb F
As he walked out that morning
Dm Bb
The old man didn't look to see
F C Bb Dm F
Out of season sweet persimmons in the old growth tree
[Bridge]
Bb F
And I know scattered o'er the cursed world
Dm Bb
There're fightening bones to find
Dm Dm7
Bones of people born too soon
C
Lambs too strange to survive
Bb F
Born only meat for wolves
Dm Bb
Or born a freak to humankind
F F/G
Still there were four eyes shining bravely
F/G C
In the meadow that night
[Instrumental]
Dm7 C Bb F Dm7 Gm Bb C Bb F
[Verse 3]
F C F
The two-headed lamb was found by the old man
F C
In a ditch by the meadow in the spring
Bb F
And as he scratched his head and chuckled
Dm Bb
"Even God can make a fuck-up"
F C Bb
He overlooked an ordinary thing
Bb F
Twice the robins singing in the old growth tree
[Outro]
C F Bb F C Bb F
X
Introduction & Verse Chords
The song starts with an intro that cycles through F, C, F, Bb, ending on
F, C, Bb, F, Dm, C, F, C, Bb, F. This progression sets a tone of introspection
and establishes the musical theme that will support the story's unfolding.
When you play these chords, focus on the transitions between them, especially
the move from major to minor chords, which adds depth to the song's emotional
landscape. The use of Bb and Dm introduces a melancholy that complements
the narrative of the two-headed lamb's brief life.
Playing Technique
For the verses, your strumming pattern should be steady and reflective, allowing
the lyrics to take center stage. The transition from Gm to F, and then to C in the
verses, should be smooth, underscoring the narrative's unfolding events with a
gentle musical backdrop.
Incorporate a softer touch on the minor chords, particularly Dm, to highlight the
song's poignant moments, like the lamb's fate and the old ewe's resignation.
These moments are crucial to the storytelling and require a sensitive approach
to the music.
Bridge & Instrumental Sections
The bridge shifts the song's mood, bringing in a deeper reflection on the nature of
life's oddities and struggles. Here, the chord progression includes Bb, F, Dm, Bb,
and then a movement through Dm7 and C, emphasizing the song's thematic
exploration of life's inherent strangeness and beauty.
During the instrumental section, maintain the reflective mood established in the
verses and bridge. This section offers a moment of musical reflection, mirroring
the narrative's contemplative tone.
Verse 3 & Outro
The final verse and outro bring the story to its conclusion, with a renewed chord
progression that reflects the old man's realization and the symbolic significance
of the two-headed lamb. The mention of "Twice the robins singing" offers
a moment of lightness or redemption, musically supported by the return
to the major chords of F and C.
As you play the outro, let the chords resonate, allowing the song's narrative
and emotional journey to settle with the listener. This ending is an opportunity
to reflect on the complexities of life, mirrored in the music's shifting from minor
to major tones.
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