[Intro]
C C/B Am G F G
C C/B Am G F G
[Verse 1]
C B/C Am G F G
I was born in Carolina, near the paper mill
C B/C Am G F G
I learned the town was haunted, rebels had been killed
F G C
Somethin' grew up twisted in me, rippin' all
G
the seams
Am G F
But I was mended by the love of my mama
C G C C/B Am G F G
To fight the devils down in me
[Verse 2]
C B/C Am G F G
I left for Nashville with no money to my name
C B/C Am G F G
I sang on 17th like I was on a stage
F G C G
The road that I took then was full of ditches and mistakes
Am G F
And deep in the shadow of my failures
C G C C/B Am G F G
I saw some things are worth the pain
[Chorus]
F C G
I wanna live like I'm only made of air
F C G
And I will forgive what I've done out of despair
C G F
I'm tryin' to find the happiness and healin'
C G C C C/B Am G F G
In the things that still need some repair
C C C/B Am G F G
[Verse 3]
C B/C Am G F G
My marriage ended and I moved up north to mend
C B/C Am G F G
I tried to fight it like a needle in my skin
F G C G
The hole inside me kept on growin', everything went black
Am G F
Was then I heard the words of my father
C G C C/B Am G F G
"Have faith, there's no storm that doesn't pass"
[Chorus]
F C G
I wanna live like I'm only made of air
F C G
And I will forgive what I've done out of despair
C G F
I wish you only happiness and healing
C G C C/B Am G F G
And I hope that you're finding it out there
C C/B Am G F G
Yeah a hah, oooh-ooh-ooh
C C/B Am G F G
C C/B Am G F G
[Verse 4]
C B/C Am G F G
I'll carry every life I've lived into the next
C B/C Am G F G
Maybe Saint Peter will just average all the best
F G C G
But don't let me into Heaven 'til Goliath knows defeat
Am G C
And when it's done, I'll slip into nirvana
C G C C/B Am G F G
And let go of everything that's holdin' me
C C/B Am G F G end on C
Holdin' me
Intro and Between Verses
The song begins and often transitions with a gentle sequence involving moving
from C to C/B, then to Am, followed by G, and finally landing on F before
returning to G. This sets a contemplative mood right from the start, serving as
a musical pause that allows both the player and listeners to reflect on the lyrics' depth.
Verses
The verses tell a story, each chord change accompanying a new line of the narrative.
You start with C, naturally leading into the story of the song. As you move through
the sequence to Am and G, then to F and back to G, think of it as walking through
different chapters of the story being told. Each chord supports the emotional weight
of the lyrics, from the roots in Carolina to the trials and transformations that follow.
Storytelling with Chords:
Imagine each chord highlighting a part of the story. C might represent a beginning
or a home, Am could signify introspection or a shift in tone, G might bring a sense
of movement or change, and F could underline moments of realization or conclusion
before moving forward.
Playing with Emotion:
The transition from C to F, and the journey back to C through G, should be fluid,
carrying the emotion of the lyrics. The softness or strength of your strumming can
reflect the narrative highs and lows, from the calm reflections of "I was born
in Carolina" to the resolve of facing "the devils down in me."
Chorus
The chorus brings a message of hope and forgiveness, shifting to a slightly
more uplifting chord progression. The transition from F to C, then to G, supports
the lyrics' desire for lightness and release from past burdens. This is where your
strumming can brighten up, mirroring the uplifting message.
Lifting the Mood:
As the song seeks healing and forgiveness, let your play reflect this transition.
The chords are not just played; they are felt and expressed, carrying the song's
hope and resilience.
Connect with the Lyrics: Playing the chorus is about connecting deeply with
the song's message. Allow the progression from F to C and G to lift the mood,
emphasizing the theme of healing and moving forward.
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