| Author: | Leonard | Latest revision: | July 16, 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes: | Part of a much darker album, “Roadsinger” is a Western and country song at its core written in the purest of keys (C major), with various guitar hooks scattered throughout. We took the main cues for our transcription from Cat’s recorded sittee version below. | ||
| 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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"Roadsinger"
by Yusuf / Cat Stevens
from the original album
ROADSINGER (2009)
Standard tuning
(bass to treble) E-A-D-G-B-E
in 4/4 time
INTRO
RIFF___________
C C4 C2 C
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---------------------|
B|-1-----1---1p0---|-1-----1---1p0---|-1-----1---1p0---|-1-------------------|
G|---0-------------|---0-------------|---0-------------|---0-----0---0-----0-|
D|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----2h3---3---0h2---|
A|-3---3---3-------|-3---3---3-------|-3---3---3-------|-3-------------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---------------------|
VERSE 1
C G C C2 F/C C C2
Roadsinger came to town, long cape and hat
C G C G C RIFF
People stood and stared, then closed their doors as he passed
C C2 C C2 F/C C C2
He strolled the emp-ty street, kids banged on tin cans
C G C G C RIFF C C/B
Then the panting dogs be-gan to bark as the Roadsinger sang | / / / / |
CHORUS 1
Am G D F/C C C2
Where do you go, where do you go when hearts are closed
F/C Am G G4 G G4
When a friend be-comes a stranger nobody wants to know
Am G D F/C C C2
Where do you go, oh where do you go when the world turns dark
F/C Am G F/C C RIFF C G
And the light of truth is blown out and the roads are blocked | / / / / |
VERSE 2
C G C C2 F/C C C2
He stopped by a store, between the barrels and sacks
C G C G C RIFF
A child's face peeped out and gave a smile and ran back
C C2 C C2 F/C C C2
Behind a mis-ty glass, on a window pane
C G C G C RIFF C C/B
A little finger drew a perfect heart and her name | / / / / |
CHORUS 2
Am G D F/C C C2
Where do you go, where do you go in a world filled with fright
F/C Am G G4 G G4
Only a song to warm you through the night
Am G D F/C C C2
Where do you go, oh where do you go after lies are told
F/C Am G F/C C RIFF C C2
And the light of truth is blown out and the night is cold | / / / / |
INSTRUMENTAL VERSE (Humming.)
C G C C2 F/C C C2 C G C G C RIFF
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
C C2 C C2 F/C C C2 C G C G G7 C RIFF
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
VERSE 3
C G C C2 F/C C C2
Roadsinger rode on, to another land
C G C G C RIFF
Though the people spoke a different tongue, they'd under-stand
C C2 C C2 F/C C C2
They showed him how to share and took him by the hand
C G C G C RIFF C C/B
Showed him the path to heaven through the desert sand | / / / / |
CHORUS 3
Am G D F/C C C2
Where do you go, where do you go to find happi-ness
F/C Am G G4 G G4
In a world filled with hatred and tears
Am G D F/C C C2
Where do you go, oh where do you go if no one cares
F/C Am G F/C C RIFF
And every-body's lost look-ing for theirs
CHORDS (in order of appearance)
======
C C4 C2 G F/C C/B
x32010 x3301x x3001x 3x0003 x33211 x2x010
-RM-I- -RL-I- -R--I- R----L -RLMII -M--I-
Am D G4 G7
x02210 xx0232 3x0013 3x0001
--MRI- ---IRM R---IL R----I
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, or hold chord
[ ] = natural harmonic (Harm.)
/ = legato slide (gliss) up the fret
\ = legato slide (gliss) down the fret
! = accentuate part with great intensity
d = downward stroke
u = upward stroke
Playing Cat Stevens 