Yo La Tengo
"By the Time It Gets Dark"
I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One [Deluxe Edition] (1997) & Prisoners of Love: A
of Senescent Songs (2005)
Tabbed by: manguero
One of my favorite songs ever!
This is a cover of a wonderful song by Sandy Denny (of Fairport Convention).
However, it deserves to be tabbed in its own right, because Yo La Tengo doesn't
play it as a straight cover; the chords in their version have a more droning
quality whereas Sandy's change around a lot. Listen to the two recordings to hear
what I mean.
For the verses, you'll keep your fingers in the same position, except that your
middle finger will walk up a bass line (E-F#-A). You can even do the quick step
up to B when switch back to Eadd9 if you want. Listen to the recording to hear
how it goes. As for the chorus, I'm not sure if it's exactly right (sounds a
little weird played along with the recording), but I think it sounds good.
Just to be clear, here's how I play these chords:
Eadd9: 022102
Eadd9/F#: 2x2102
Eadd9/A: x02102
INTRO:
Eadd9 Eadd9/F# Eaddd9/A Eadd9
Baby, every cloud has a silver lining
Baby every dog really has his day
And it matters to me to see you smiling
Why don't we blow all your cares away?
Yesterday is gone and will be forgotten
And today is where every new day starts
Got to be free like the leaves in autumn
You may be sad but it never lasts.
CHORUS:
And maybe, by the evening we'll be laughing
Just wait and see
All the changes there'll be
By the time it gets dark.
We could go walking out in the sunshine
Look at all the people out in the street
Hurrying away to a business luncheon
Waiting for a taxi for aching feet.
Light up your face, baby, let's get going
Want to see a change in those weary eyes
We'll have some fun, take a boat out rowing
Why on earth should life be so serious?
[CHORUS] x2
By the time it gets dark.
By the time it gets dark.
By the time it gets dark.