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Every Grain of Sand – Bob Dylan
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Tabbed by: maguri
Tuning: Standard
Bob Dylan
Every Grain of Sand (1980)
(Bob Dylan)
From: "The Bootleg Series Vol. 01-03. Rare and Unreleased 1961-1991"
Listen to this version: https://db.tt/ezZB87qi
Bob Dylan - piano, vocals
Fred Tackett - guitar
Jennifer Warnes - backing vocals
A beautiful acoustic demo recording in a different key than the version
released on “Shot of Love” (which is in Eb). Moreover it is in 4/4 as
opposed to the 6/8 of the final version. The last couplet (last chorus)
is different, too.
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CHORDS / SPECIAL VOICINGS
E-A-D-G-B-E
Dsus4 x-x-0-0-3-3
C/D x-x-0-0-1-0
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capo 1st fret
INTRO (cut off on the recording)
| G | Cmaj7 | G | Cmaj7 | G | Cmaj7 | D Dsus4 | D |
VERSE
G Cmaj7 G Cmaj7
In the time of my confession, in the hour of my deepest need
G Cmaj7 D Dsus4 D
When the pool of tears beneath my feet flood every newborn seed
G Cmaj7 G Cmaj7
There’s a dyin’ voice within me reaching out somewhere
G Cmaj7 D Dsus4 D
Toiling in the danger and in the morals of despair
BRIDGE
D D7 G D
Don’t have the inclination to look back on any mistake
(break) (break)
D D7 G D C/D
Like Cain, I now behold this chain of events that I must break
CHORUS
G Cmaj7 G Cmaj7
In the fury of the moment I can see the Master’s hand
G Cmaj7 D C/D G
In every leaf that trembles and in every grain of sand
VERSE
G Cmaj7 G Cmaj7
Oh, the flowers of indulgence and the weeds of yesteryear
G Cmaj7 D Dsus4 D
Like criminals, they have choked the breath of conscience and good cheer
G Cmaj7 G Cmaj7
The sun beat down upon the steps of time to light the way
G Cmaj7 D Dsus4 D
To ease the pain of idleness and the memory of decay
BRIDGE
D D7 G D
I gaze into the doorway of temptation’s angry flame
(break) (break)
D D7 G D C/D
And every time I pass that way I always hear my name
CHORUS
G Cmaj7 G Cmaj7
Then onward in my journey I come to understand
G Cmaj7 D C/D G
That every hair is numbered like every grain of sand
VERSE
G Cmaj7 G Cmaj7
I have gone from rags to riches in the sorrow of the night
G Cmaj7 D Dsus4 D
In the violence of a summer’s dream, in the chill of a wintry light
G Cmaj7 G Cmaj7
In the bitter dance of loneliness fading into space
G Cmaj7 D Dsus4 D
In the broken mirror of innocence on each forgotten face
BRIDGE
D D7 G D
I hear the ancient footsteps like the motion of the sea
(break) (break)
D D7 G D C/D
Sometimes I turn, there’s someone there, other times it’s only me
CHORUS
G Cmaj7 G Cmaj7
I am hanging in the balance of a perfect finished plan
G Cmaj7 D C/D | G Gsus4 | G
Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand