C
I’m going down to the greyhound station
F
Gonna get a ticket to ride
C
Gonna find that lady with 2 or 3 kids
G
And sit down by her side
C
And ride until the sun comes up and
F
Down around me about 2 or 3 times
C
Smoking cigarettes in the last seat
G
Trying to hide my sorrow from the people I meet
C
And get along with it all
F
Whenever people say Y’all
C
Sing a song with a friend
G
Change the shape that I’m in
C
And get back in the game
F C
And start playing again
C
I’d like to stay but I might have to go to
F
Start over again
C
I might go back down to Texas I might go
G
Somewhere that I’ve never been
C
And get up in the morning and go out at night
F
And I won’t have to go home
C
Get used to being alone
G
Change the words to this song
C F C
And start singing again
C
I’m tired of running round looking for answers
F
To questions that I already know
C
I could build me a castle of memories
G
Just to have somewhere to go
C
Count the days and the nights that it
F
takes to get back in the saddle again
C
Feed the pigeons some clay
G
Turn the night into day
C F C
Start talking again if I know what to say
C
I’m going down to the greyhound station
F
Gonna get a ticket to ride
C
Gonna find that lady with 2 or 3 kids
G
And sit down by her side
C
And ride until the sun comes up and
F
Down around me about 2 or 3 times
C
Smoking cigarettes in the last seat
G
Trying to hide my sorrow from the people I meet
C
And get along with it all
F
Going down where people say Y'all
C
Feed the pigeons some clay
G
Turn the night into day
C F C
Start talking again if I know what to say
How to play "Clay Pigeons" by Blaze Foley on guitar
Intro & Verse Chord Progression:
- Begin with the C major chord, transitioning to F major, then returning to C.
- Use G major strategically to add a feeling of movement and reflection
within the narrative.
Playing the Chords:
- C major: Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string, middle on
the 2nd fret of the D string, and index on the 1st fret of the B string.
- F major: Either play a full barre across the 1st fret and position the ring
on the 3rd fret of the A string and pinky on the 3rd fret of the D string,
with the middle on the 2nd fret of the G string, or playan easier version
by just barring the first two strings on the 1st fret with
your index finger,
middle on the 2nd fret of the G string, and ring on the 3rd fret of the D string.
- G major: Index on 2nd fret A, middle on 3rd fret low E, and ring on
3rd fret high E.
Strumming Pattern:
- Use a steady, flowing strumming pattern combining down and up strokes,
focusing on maintaining a rhythm that complements the vocal melody and lyrical pacing.
Verse and Chorus Dynamics:
- Maintain a consistent dynamic level across the verses and chorus, allowing
the story and emotions to drive the performance without dramatic
changes in strumming intensity.
Common Mistakes:
- Ensure clear transitions between C and F, particularly if using the full barre chord for F,
as this can be challenging for some players.
- Keep the rhythm steady; avoid speeding up during the G chord, which can be tempting
as it provides a resolution in the progression.
Outro:
- Echo the intro and verse progression, gently winding down to reflect
the song's contemplative and cyclical theme.
Song's Theme:
- The lyrics reflect themes of renewal and the journey of self-discovery,
symbolized through travel and changing surroundings, paralleling
the emotional shifts within the narrative.
Regular practice of these chord transitions and paying close attention to lyrical expression
will help you effectively capture the reflective nature of "Clay Pigeons."
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