This is the chord progression of Having Been Is No Way To Be by Jeff Tweedy on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard.
[Verse 1]
Em G
Oh, I was naive
Em G
My shoes were untied
C/G G Em G C/G
In Heaven everything is just fine
Em G
But the phones are dead
Em G
And so is the light
C/G G
And so are you
Em G C/G
And, honey, so am I
Em G
But the Earth still turns
Em G
For the unconcerned
C/G G Em G C/G
Days pass below like train windows
Em G
I was a sapling tree
Em G
The birds looked like me
C/G G Em G C/G
Oh, I begged my nerves to kick me something new
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[Chorus 1]
Am
From time to time
G
I’d watch you sleep
Em Bm C6/G G
Oh, I wonder how much freedom we can dream
C6/G G
And I’m sorry when you wake up to me
[Verse 2]
Em G
I just got tired
Em G C/G G Em G C/G
Shining steady like a spider web’s an empty stage
Em G
Now people say
Em G
What drugs did you take
C/G G Em G C/G
And why don’t you start taking them again?
Em G
But they’re not my friends
Em G
And if I was dead
C/G G Em G C/G
What difference would it ever make to them
Am
If I got high?
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[Chorus 2]
G
From time to time
Em Bm C6/G G
Oh, I wonder how much freedom you would need
C6/G G
And I’d be sorry when you wake up to me
[Instrumental break]
A C6/G (3x)
G
[Verse 3]
Em G
I’m reaching out to you
Em G
I’m writing all the time
C/G G Em G C/G
I don’t see deep but I see far and wide
Em G
I see dead trees
Em G
But the roots have leaves
C/G G Em G C/G G Em
Just because I can’t describe it doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try
G
To untwist the knife
Em G
To unmake my mind
C/G G Em G C/G
Having been is no way to be alive
[Chorus 3]
Am
And I’m alive
G
When I watch you sleep
Em Bm C6/G G
I wonder how much freedom we need
C6/G G
And I’m here when you wake up to me
C6/G G
And I’m still here when you wake up to me
