The Nightwatchman is the solo project of American musician Tom Morello (guitarist for Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and Street Sweeper Social Club). Morello began performing as The Nightwatchman in 2003 (with some album covers showing Tom Morello The Nightwatchman or Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman).
Morello has explained, "The Nightwatchman is my political folk alter ego. I've been writing these songs and playing them at open mic nights with friends for some time.
Four years of hard work!This month of May we celebrated four years on the air. We continue working on the dissemination of this wonderful instrument, thank you for participating in our story!
My first "tab" this one, but it's such a great song and nobody posted the chords for it here you go. The bridge after each chorus is a bit off, but feel free to give me a one at [email protected] and I'll do some changes. Enjoy.
Am This one's for the shoeshine boy And the farmer in debt Am Each string is barbed wire Each chord is a threat G This blues guy I met That never had a hit Am Said you don't gotta be loud, son To be heavy as shit Am Well I'm the triggerman, baby And tonight I'll prove Am That this machine here Well it kills fascists too G And don't be surprised If the sermon on the mount Am Next time is delivered In a little coffee house Dm Cause somebody here's Gotta let them know Am I doubt it's me But here I go Dm I hit the button Tape started to roll Am The song's got fire G But it's got no soul
CAmG There's a lonely stretch of blacktop GAm Between here and home CGAm Drop down into the valley GAm Piano playin' in the living room FAm And when you see the white barn GAm You'll know the journey's through CGAm My dog's barking in the backseat GAm Cause he knows it too
Dm - C - G
Am You'll need a fake passport And fix your disguise Am And don't fire, sugar Til you see the whites of their eyes G I turned the other cheek But now I'm through Am The skin you're in Makes choices for you Dm I was checking off names And I came late to dinner Am Seems the slices of pie Keep getting thinner and thinner G Brothers and sisters Rejoice and repent Am The landlord's dead You can keep the rent Dm You got twelve fine friends But one of 'em's rotten Am There's a hole out back Ain't got no bottom Dm Forty days in the wilderness Forty sleepless nights Am I'm confused, half blind G And sure I'm right
CAmG There's a lonely stretch of blacktop GAm Between here and home CGAm Drop down into the valley GAm Piano playin' in the living room FAm And when you see the white barn GAm You'll know the journey's through CGAm My dog's barking in the backseat GAm Cause he knows it too
Dm - C - G
Dm Officer please I won't be long Am Called the radio station Requested this song Dm I had my doubts About what I knew Am So I turned it up G Then it sounded true Am Kiss the ring If the Queen will let you Am But come over the fence And the dogs will get you G On a rope hung the traitor On a hook hung the meat Am You and me are missing persons CG Til we're counted in the streets Am So seize the time And storm the tower G And come correct Maximum Firepower (continued)
Am (??) With Maximum Firepower For the sins of the fathers The son he must pay
Am The Nightwatchman giveth CG And he taketh away Dm Thought hard about this next line Pretty sure it's true Am If you take a step towards freedom It'll take two steps towards you Dm So mister I ain't scared And mister I ain't worried AmG Cause on that lonely stretch of blacktop I sit as judge and jury
CAmG There's a lonely stretch of blacktop GAm Between here and home CGAm Drop down into the valley GAm Piano playin' in the living room FAm And when you see the white barn GAm You'll know the journey's through CGAm My dog's barking in the backseat GAm Cause he knows it too
Dm - C - G
Am The clock strikes the hour Tonight we ride The clock strikes the hour Tonight we ride The clock strikes the hour Tonight we ride G You've got three more seconds Am To choose sides