Capo 1
[Chords]
Em (022000)
G (320033)
Gm (302033)
D (000232)
C (302010)
(The Gm chord is really just lifting your index finger from the A string and
hammering it on the D string (2nd fret).
Listen to the song for timing.)
[Intro]
(repeated over and over during harmonica part)
Em D G Gm G
[Verse 1]
G C G Gm G Gm G
Across from the prison and beside the great lake
Em D G Gm G Gm G
Below the rooftops and above the highways
C G Gm G Gm G
The spirits pay rental on the basements they haunt
Em D G Gm G Gm G
And the pages just draw pictures of the things that they want
Em D G Gm
I cook my dinner on the blacktop street
Em D G
I come from the nation of heat
[Instrumental]
(repeated over and over during harmonica part)
Em D G Gm G
[Verse 2]
G C G Gm G Gm G
Outside the train station there's a bold painted sign
Em D G Gm G Gm G
It says try to be patient don't forget to choose sides
C G Gm G Gm G
We got the loudest explosions you ever heard
Em D G Gm G Gm G
We got two dollar soldiers and ten dollar words
Em D G Gm
If I didn't own boots I wouldn't need feet
Em D G
I come from the nation of heat
[Instrumental]
(repeated over and over during harmonica part)
Em D G Gm G
[Verse 3]
G C G Gm G Gm G
So swift and so vicious are the carnival rides
Em D G Gm G Gm G
And the carnival barker yell your name for a bribe
C G Gm G Gm G
we got billboards for love and Japanese cars
Em D G Gm G Gm G
It ain't rare to hear the streetlights call themselves stars
Em D G Gm
The more that I learn the more that I cheat
Em D G
I come from the nation of heat
[Instrumental]
(repeated over and over during harmonica part)
Em D G Gm G
[Verse 4]
G C G Gm G Gm G
I've seen skeleton mothers and hungry folks
Em D G Gm G Gm G
Across the street from the kitchens that cook dinner for most
C G Gm G Gm G
Sometimes you hear whispers by the dark of the moon
Em D G Gm G Gm G
That we promised too much and gave it too soon
Em D G Gm
Even our coughs and our fevers compete
Em D G
I come from the nation of heat
[Instrumental]
(repeated over and over during harmonica part)
Em D G Gm G
[Verse 5]
G C G Gm G Gm G
Blockin borders with smiles are immigrant sons
Em D G Gm G Gm G
we measure loneliness and miles and misery in tons
C G Gm G Gm G
There's a straw-hatted man rowing away from the shore
Em D G Gm G Gm G
Who says "It's a shame they don't let you have slaves here anymore"
Em D G Gm
I'm the ugliest man that you'll ever meet
Em D G
I come from the nation of heat
