With respect to the first version, I only tweaked some parts of the song. It might
sound the same but for me it doesn't. XD I listened to the song over and over, had
a piano and guitar at hand in case I doubt over a note or starts to consider myself as tone deaf.
So here ya go. I think this is more accurate.
G C Em C G-C-Em
These hammers and strings Been following me around
G C Em C G C Em
From a box filled garage To the dark punk rock clubs Of 1000 American towns
G C
And my friend calls me up,
Em D G C
he says, "how have you been?" I say, "dear I've been well,
Em D G C
Yeah the money's coming But I miss you like hell.
Em D G C Em D
I still hear you in this old piano, oh yeah."
Verse 2 Chords:
G Cadd9 Em D
She says, "Andy, I know that we don't talk as much
G Cadd9 Em D
But I still hear your ghost in these old punk rock clubs
G Cadd9 Em D
Come on, write me a song, give me something to trust
G Cadd9 D C
Just promise you won't let it be, just the keys that you touch."
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/j/jacks_mannequin/hammers_and_strings_crd.html ]
Chorus:
G D
Give me something to believe in, a breath from the breathing
Em C
So write it down, I don't think that I'll close my eyes
G D
'Cause lately I'm not dreaming, so what's the point in sleeping?
Em C
It's just that at night, I've got nowhere to hide
G-C-Em G-C-Em
So I write you a lullaby A lullaby
These hammers and strings Been following me around
Behind passenger vans Through the snow, dirt, and sands
Of 1000 American towns.
And my friend calls me up With her heart heavy still She says,
"Andy, the doctors Prescribed me the pills. But I know I'm not crazy.
I just lost my will. So why am I, why am I taking them still?"
Chorus:
I need something to believe in, a breath from the breathing
So write it down, I don't think that I'll close my eyes
'Cause lately I'm not dreaming, so what's the point in sleeping?
It's just that at night, I've got nowhere to hide
Post-Chorus:
Em D C
To the sleepless, this is my reply:
G D C D G D C D
I will write you a lullaby, A lullaby.
Final Chorus:
G D
Give me something to believe iiiiiiiiiiiiin,
Em D C
So write it down, I don't think that I'll close my eyes
G D
'Cause lately I'm not dreaming, so what's the point in sleeping?
Em C
It's just that at night, I've got nowhere to hide
Em D C
To the sleepless, this is my reply:
G D C D G D C D… (repeat till fade out)
I'll write you a lullaby A lullaby, a lullaby…
