| Author: | Leonard | Latest revision: | February 24, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author’s Notes: | A hidden gem from Cat’s formative years as a singer/songwriter, “Hummingbird” has the same timeless quality, a combination of delicate lyrics and a catchy melody, as his later, more famous work, but due to its overarrangment the original recording falls short despite the beautiful vocals. | ||
| Each guitar tab is the author’s own work and represents his or her own interpretation of the song. Visitors may use the guitar tabs offered here only for private study, scholarship, or research. |
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"Hummingbird"
by Cat Stevens
from the original album
MATTHEW & SON (1967)
Standard tuning
(low to high) E-A-D-G-B-E
Capo at 2nd fret (key of D)
in 4/4 time
INTRO
C FaddG C FaddG C FaddG C
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
VERSE 1
C Em [EmaddG]
There's a yellow flower by your bed
F C
Sadly droopin' its perfumed head
Cmaj7 Fmaj7 G Fmaj7 [Fmaj7sus2]
So you won't smell it, I know what you'll miss.
CHORUS 1
C G
And there's a hummingbird, a hummingbird,
C FaddG
A hummingbird, a hummingbird,
C G FaddG
Oh, there's a hummingbird singing.
VERSE 2
C Em [EmaddG]
There is the hat you made, the clothes you wore
F C
Lying down on the cold, dirty floor.
Cmaj7 Fmaj7 G Fmaj7 [Fmaj7sus2]
The colors are fading, they'll never shine a-gain.
REPEAT CHORUS 1
INSTRUMENTAL
C FaddG C FaddG C FaddG C
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
C G C FaddG
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
C G FaddG C FaddG C
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
VERSE 3
C Em [EmaddG]
Now the road, it's turning gray,
F C
There's a shadow where you once lay.
Cmaj7 Fmaj7 G Fmaj7 [Fmaj7sus2]
They'll find it to-morrow, and think you went a-lone.
CHORUS 2
C G
But there's a hummingbird, a hummingbird,
C FaddG
A hummingbird, a hummingbird,
C G FaddG C FaddG C
Ah, there's a hummingbird crying. | / / / / | / / / / ||
CHORDS
======
Note: Chords in brackets ([EmaddG]) are passing chords
meant to be played intermittently between chord
transitions.
C F Em G
x32010 133211 022000 3x0003
-RM-I- TRLMII -MR--- R----L
332010
RLM-I-
Cmaj7 Fmaj7 FaddG EmaddG Fmaj7sus2
x32000 xx3210 xx3213 022003 xx3020
-RM--- --RMI- --RMIL -MR--L --R-I-
Chord fingering: T = thumb
I = index finger
M = middle finger
R = ring finger
L = little finger
x = muted string
Playing Cat Stevens 