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
Eadd9 Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
Baby, every cloud has a silver lining
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
Baby every dog really has his day
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
And it matters to me to see you smiling
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
Why don't we blow all your cares away?
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
Yesterday is gone and will be forgotten
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
And today is where every new day starts
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
Got to be free like the leaves in autumn
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
You may be sad but it never lasts.
Eadd9
CHORUS:
C#m B A E
And maybe, by the evening we'll be laughing
C#m
Just wait and see
B
All the changes there'll be
A E Eadd9
By the time it gets dark.
Eadd9 Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
We could go walking out in the sunshine
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
Look at all the people out in the street
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
Hurrying away to a business luncheon
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
Waiting for a taxi for aching feet.
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
Light up your face, baby, let's get going
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
Want to see a change in those weary eyes
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
We'll have some fun, take a boat out rowing
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
Why on earth should life be so serious?
Eadd9
[CHORUS] x2
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
By the time it gets dark.
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
By the time it gets dark.
Eadd9/F# Eadd9/A Eadd9
By the time it gets dark.