The Decemberists – The Black Maria (Guitar Live)

Key
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Versions (2)

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Chords

For clarity, I have not notated these ornamentations: - In the intro, Colin alternates ad lib between Em (022000) and Em7 (020000). - In most verses, he walks the bass up from Em to G and from Am to C. - For most C chords, he alternates between C (x32010) and Cadd2 (x30010). Generally, he does this once in the middle of each verse (C Cadd2 C) and twice at the end (C Cadd2 C Cadd2 xx000x). [Intro] Em Em Em Em [Verse]
Em
There in my memory

G
Just on periphery

Am                           C
Loose-knit like gauze on the centerline

    Em                          D                 C
The broke-down cobblestone drive, the Black Maria

Em
For when it comes for you

G
Nothing be done for you

Am                          C
Write down your name on the bottom line

Em                       D                      C
Shut up your mouth, son: here's the Black Maria
[Chorus]
               Am            Em
The Black Maria comes for us all

          D                       C
Can't you hear their boots in the hall?

Em                         D                    C
Answer your name when they call the Black Maria

                Em
The Black Maria
[Verse]
Em
Where are the neighbors?

    G
The boot-blacking laborers?

Am                       C
Windows are dark and the shutters drawn

    Em                  D                    C
The only lone souls who roam are all pariahs

Em
Turn out your lantern light

G
Set your affairs to right

Am                            C
Pull out the prayers that you mumble on

       Em                   D                    C
'Cause everyone is an enemy come the Black Maria
[Chorus]
               Am            Em
The Black Maria comes for us all

         D                            C
Line the muck with their backs to the wall

     Em                        D                     C
It's gone by the time they all fall, the Black Maria

                Em
The Black Maria
[Organ Solo] Em G Am C Em D C [Chorus]
               Am            Em
The Black Maria comes for us all

          D                       C
Can't you hear their boots in the hall?

Em                         D                    C
Answer your name when they call the Black Maria

                Em
The Black Maria
[Verse]
Em
There in my memory

G
Just on periphery

Am                           C
Loose-knit like gauze on the centerline

    Em                          D                 C  Cadd2  Em
The broke-down cobblestone drive, the Black Maria