| Author: | Leonard | Latest revision: | June 19, 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author’s Notes: | This song is sung and arranged as vocal music, very much in the traditional vein of nasheed. Cat’s mature voice is on astonishing display here, with incredibly deep, serene, and complex vocals to the song. Originally Cat gave this song to Raihan, a popular Maylaysian nasheed group, to sing. But after singing the lead vocals in the studio to show how it was done, the group said they would never improve upon it, and left his vocals in. As the piece is very much performed a capella, we had to get a little creative as to its arrangement on guitar. Cat had this one last thing to say on the song: “The creation of one single leaf displays more power and wisdom than all of man’s abilities put together. I do acknowledge, however, that the value of my work is perhaps a word which somebody takes to heart—and then guides them.” | ||
| 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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"God Is the Light"
by Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam
(1997)
from the original 4-disc compilation
IN SEARCH OF THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE
(2001)
Standard tuning
(bass to treble) E-A-D-G-B-E
in 4/4 time
Capo at 4th fret
VERSE 1
D Em D
How great the wonders of the heavens and the timeless beauty of the night
A7 D4+9 D
How great — then how great the Creator?
D Em D
And its star like priceless jewels far be-yond the reach of kings
A7 D4+9 D
Bow down for the shepherd guiding him home
CHORUS 1
Em A7 D
But how many eyes are closed to the wonder of this night?
Em A7
Like pearls hidden deep, beneath a dark stream of desires
D Em
But like dreams vanish with the call to prayer
D Em A7
And the dawn extinguishes night – here too are signs
A7sus D
God is the light, God is the light
VERSE 2
D Em D
How great the beauty of the Earth and the creatures who dwell on her
A7 D4+9 D
How great — then how great the Creator?
D Em D
As its mountains pierce the clouds high a-bove the lives of men
A7 D4+9 D
Weep-ing rivers for thousands of years
CHORUS 2
Em A7 D
But how many hearts are closed to the wonders of this sight?
Em A7
Like birds in a cage, a-sleep with closed wings
D Em
But like work stops with the call to prayer
D Em A7
And the birds recite – here too are signs
A7sus4 D
God is the light, God is the light
VERSE 3
D Em D
How great the works of man and the things he makes
A7 D4+9 D
How great — then how great the Creator?
D Em D
Though he strives to reach the heavens he can barely survive
A7 D4+9 D
The wars of the world he lives in
CHORUS 3
Em A7 D
Yet how many times he's tried, him-self to immortalize?
Em A7
Like his parents before him in the garden of Eden
D Em
But like the sun sets with the call to prayer
D Em A7
And sur-renders to the night - here too are signs
A7sus4 D A7sus4 D
God is the light everlast-ing, God is the light everlast-ing
A7sus4 D A7sus4 D4+9 D
God is the light everlast-ing, God is the light everlast-ing
CHORDS (in order of appearance)
======
(all chords relative to capo position)
D Em A7 D4+9 A7sus4
xx0232 022000 x02020 xx0030 x02030
---IRM -MR--- --I-R- ----R- --I-R-
Chord fingering: T = thumb
I = index finger
M = middle finger
R = ring finger
L = little finger
Tablature notation: h = hammer-on
p = pull-off
~ = vibrato
[ ] = natural harmonic (Harm.)
/ = legato slide (gliss) up the fret
\ = legato slide (gliss) down the fret
! = special action (see tablature)
> = accentuate part
d = downward stroke
u = upward stroke
x = mute note
Playing Cat Stevens 