[Verse 1]
D D/C# D/B D/A
I coulda been a businessman, i was too hot-headed
G G/F# Em7 A
Plus i never had the money, plus i kinda got arrested
D D/C# D/B D/A
But my sweet old folks thought i'd make a pretty decent one of those
G G/F# Em7 A
And i still live the kind of life where people judge on your clothes
G A D
Now, it's forty miles of backroad on all-terrain tires
G A D
That little blue hymnal sittin' open all the while
G A D
Singin' songs to a god i have met but do not know
G G/F# Em7 A
Makin' wages on the critters that we see crossing the road
[Chorus]
G A
Yeah, the sparrow on the wing taught me to find you
G A
And the opossum knows his own mind morе than i do
G A
I'm here for all the lovе that i can stand
A D D/C# D/B D/A
Take me to critterland
G G/F# Em7 A
[Verse 2]
D D/C# D/B D/A
In the decade of our lovin', we've grown to not-so-young
G G/F# Em7 A
I've come to know the seasons by the lashing of your tongue
D D/C# D/B D/A
But the propane gently sputters, there's spring water in our tap
G G/F# Em7 A
Oh, why can't we feel the peace of this sweet dog apon our laps
G A D
Oh, the granny witch and herbalist have remedies for us
G A D
It's a tincture and a prayer poured down the holler of our guts
G A D
On the homestead in the pine beds, we've grown our holy power
G G/F# Em7 A
Laying bare like critters there hour by lovin' hour
[Chorus]
G A
Yeah, the sparrow on the wing taught me to sing for you
G A
And the opossum keeps her young close than i do
G A
I'm here for all the grief that i can stand
A D D/C# D/B D/A
Take me to critterland
G G/F# Em7 A
[Bridge]
G A
Oh, i never thought i could love like this
D D/C# D/B D/A
They think i'm a queer and a communist
G
But i'll go along to get along
A D
Darlin' it feels so right
G A
'cause why have a god if no one is saved
D D/C# D/B D/A
I think love is a burden if it isn't brave
G
I live and die forever there
A D
Right there in that divide
[Verse 3]
D D/C# D/B D/A
Oh, it's hard to say what i have learned from all these hills and hymns
G G/F# Em7 A
But we're dyin' and we're singin', i love you and we've sinned
D D/C# D/B D/A
And when marauders come 'cause the apocalypse is nigh
G G/F# Em7 A
I want my rifle on my shoulder, my lover by my side
G A D
I want to be the kind of man that stands his ground and dies
G A D
Take my fiddle and my good hat, i'll go out in style
G A D
I'll do it all for family, not for glory or a god
G G/F# Em7 A
In the war that's ragin' between the haves and have-nots
[Chorus]
G A
Oh, the sparrow on the wing taught me to fight for you
G A
And the opossum keeps her teeth sharper than i do
G A
You can bury me where i make my last stand
A D D/C# D/B D/A G G/F# Em7 A
At the battle of critterland
A D D/C# D/B D/A G G/F# Em7 A
At the battle of critterland
Playing "Critterland" by Carlisle Willi on guitar without relying on tablets or
digital chord charts means you'll want to get comfortable with the chord
shapes and progression through practice and memory. Let's break it down
into a method that doesn't require looking at a screen or sheet:
Learn the Chord Shapes
First, memorize the chord shapes you'll need:
D Major: Focus on the D, G, and B strings. Remember, your index finger on
the G string, 2nd fret; your ring finger on the B string, 3rd fret; and your middle
finger on the high E string, 2nd fret.
D/C#: From the D chord, add your pinky to the 4th fret of the A string to hit
the C# note.
D/B: For this, you can simply move your thumb over the top of the neck to
press down the 2nd fret of the A string (B note), or use your middle finger
to reach it, whichever feels more comfortable.
D/A: Just strum the open D chord without fretting the low E string, letting
the open A string ring.
G Major: This chord involves your middle finger on the low E string, 3rd fret;
your index finger on the A string, 2nd fret; and your ring finger on the high
E string, 3rd fret.
G/F#: Transitioning from G, move your index finger to the low E string,
2nd fret (F# note), and mute the A string or let it ring open if you prefer
the sound.
Em7: Keep your fingers on the D and G strings as if you're playing a G
chord but open up the rest to let the E minor tonality come through.
A Major: Place your fingers on the D, G, and B strings, all in the 2nd fret.
You can line up three fingers in a row, or use your index finger to bar these
three strings.
Understand the Progression
The song's structure is built around these chord changes. Start slow,
focusing on the transitions between chords. Practice the verse progression
(D to D/C# to D/B to D/A, then G to G/F# to Em7 to A) until you can smoothly
transition without looking.
Practice the Chorus
The chorus (G to A) is more straightforward but pay attention to the rhythm
and how it changes from the verses. This lift in the song is where you can
let the chords ring out more fully.
Work on the Bridge
The bridge presents a bit more of a challenge with its emotional intensity
and slight changes in progression. Practice the transitions, particularly the
quick changes from G to A and back to the D variations.
Play Along
Once you feel comfortable with the chord changes and progression, play
along with the song itself. This will help you get the timing right and allow
you to feel the emotional shifts in the song more naturally.
Tips for Practice
Start slow, focusing on clean transitions between chords.
Use a metronome to keep your rhythm steady as you practice.
Listen to the song frequently to internalize the melody and rhythm.
Practice regularly, breaking the song down into sections if needed,
before putting it all together.
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