Once Upon A Time by The Gaslight Anthem
Cover of a Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise song
Great song by a great band. If you're reading this, I'm sure you agree so I won't preach
the choir.
Anyway, Gaslight's cover is in the key of Bb, versus the original's key of A.
I haven't found a clear video of them playing this song so I'm figuring it out by ear
basing
off of Chris Cusick's tab of the original RBBS version. Also, this is my FIRST tab
That means there's probably more than a few errors or things not exactly right (i.e.
chord vs 1st position). So if you see something wrong or it doesn't sound right, or even
a riff to add, post it! I'll gladly fix this tab.
Chords:
Bb Dm Eb F Cm Gm
E----6----5----6----1----3----3----|
B----6----6----8----1----4----3----|
G----7----7----8----2----5----3----|
D----8----7----8----3----5----5----|
A----8----5----6----3----3----5----|
E----6--------------1---------3----|
It might be easier w/ capo, so here are chords for that (though I think they use barre
on the album):
Capo on 1
A C#m D E Bm F#m
E----0----2----2----0----2----2----|
B----2----3----3----0----3----2----|
G----2----4----2----1----4----2----|
D----2----4----0----2----4----4----|
A----0----2---------2----2----4----|
E-------------------0---------2----|
INTRO
Bb - Eb Bb
Bb - Dm - Eb Bb x 2
Intro riff:
E---------------------------|------10--------------------|
B--11-----11-13--11---------|-----------13-11--11-----10-|
G---------------------------|----------------------------|
D---------------------------|----------------------------|
A---------------------------|----------------------------|
E---------------------------|----------------------------|
E---------------------------|------10--------------------|
B--11-----11-13--11---------|-----------13-11--11--------|
G---------------------------|----------------------------|
D---------------------------|----------------------------|
A---------------------------|----------------------------|
E---------------------------|----------------------------|
Riff 1:
(this is the bit between lines in the verses)
E--10s13--10----------------|
B------------13-11--11------|
G---------------------------|
D---------------------------|
A---------------------------|
E---------------------------|
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/t/the_gaslight_anthem/once_upon_a_time_tab.html ]
Bb Dm Eb Bb
Once upon a time, when I was in high school
Bb Dm Eb Bb
I was in love with you, lady and you treated me so cool.
Bb Dm Eb Bb
I was drivin' a Chevy '72
Bb C#m Eb Bb
had 4 on the floor, girl, a hundred 20 it would do
F Cm Bb
I remember Marvin Gaye, singin', What's Goin On?
Bb Dm Eb Bb
There was a war, baby, somewhere across the sea
Bb Dm Eb Bb
I don't wanna go and fight, girl, 'cause you were really lovin' me.
F Cm Bb
I remember Martin Luther King, lord he was the man, babe
Gm
that gave us all a dream.
F Cm Bb
I remember Marvin Gaye, singin', What's Goin On...
Gm
Don't play with my love no,
F Gm Bb
I remember Marvin Gaye, singin', What's Goin On.
Bb Dm Eb Bb
We used to have sweet music in the park
Bb Dm Eb Bb
Lord up at Monterrey straight down to the melody park
Bb Dm Eb Bb
You used to wear girl, them hot pants
Bb Dm Eb Bb
When you strolled down the hall, all the boys wanted a chance...
F Cm Bb
I remember Marvin Gaye, singin', What's Goin On...
Gm
Don't play with my love, no...
F Cm Bb
I remember Otis Redding, Sittin' at the Dock of the Bay---
Gm
but then he went away..
F Cm Bb
I remember Sam Cooke ya'll, Bring It On Home To Me,
Gm
from your love I can't be free...
F Cm Bb
I remember Elvis Presley, and them Blue Suede Shoes
Gm
lord they gave me the blues.
F Cm Bb
I remember Marvin Gaye, singin'...Let's get it on
READ!!:
I know there are more guitar riffs in the chorus and such, but I'm having trouble making
out exactly on my crap speakers. From what I can tell, they're just variations using
same notes in "Riff 1," and adding an A here and there (B string, 10th fret). If you
it all out, post it!
Enjoy!
