#----------------------------PLEASE NOTE-----------------------------#
# This represents the author's own work and interpretation of the    #
# song. To be used only for private study, scholarship, or research. #
#--------------------------------------------------------------------#


Artist: The National
 Album: Alligator
  Song: Karen

[intro]
G  C (repeat)

[verse]
G  C (alternate)
Karen, I'm not taking sides
I don't think I'll ever do that again
I'll end up winning and I won't know why
I'm really trying to shine here, I'm really trying
You're changing clothes and closing windows on me all the time

[chorus]
Cm        Bb       Ab          Bb         Cm
Well, whatever you do, listen, you better wait for me
    Bb         Ab     Bb          Eb
No, I wouldn't go out alone into America
    Bb       Cm
Whatever you do
            Ab         Eb
Listen, and you better wait for me
    Bb         Cm
No, I wouldn't go out alone

[verse]
G  C (alternate)
Karen, we should call your father, maybe it's just a phase
He'll know the trick to get a wayward soul to change his ways
It's a common fetish for a doting man
to ballerina on the coffee table cock in hand

[chorus]
Cm        Bb       Ab          Bb         Cm
Well, whatever you do, listen, you better wait for me
    Bb         Ab     Bb          Eb
No, I wouldn't go out alone into America
    Bb       Cm
Whatever you do
            Bb         Eb
Listen, and you better wait for me
    Bb         Cm
No, I wouldn't go out alone

[middle]
Bb  Gm  Dm  Cm

Bb                       Gm
Without warm water in my head
                                 Dm
All I see is black and white and red
                      Cm
I feel mechanical and thin
                        Bb
Hear me play my violin again
                           Gm
I'm living in the target's shoes
                                 Dm
All I see is black and white and blue.
                        Cm
Idle, idle, idle, idle, protect the nest
                    G  C
Protect the title

[verse]
G  C (alternate)
Karen, put me in a chair, fuck me and make me a drink
I've lost direction, and I'm past my peak
I'm telling you this isn't me
No, this isn't me
Karen, believe me, you just haven't seen my good side yet

[chorus]
Cm        Bb       Ab          Bb         Cm
Well, whatever you do, listen, you better wait for me
    Bb         Ab     Bb          Eb
No, I wouldn't go out alone into America
    Bb       Cm
Whatever you do
            Bb         Eb
Listen, and you better wait for me
    Bb         Cm
No, I wouldn't go out alone

[end]
Bb                       Gm
Without warm water in my head
                                 Dm
All I see is black and white and red
                      Cm
I feel mechanical and thin
                        Bb
Hear me play my violin again
                           Gm
I'm living in the target's shoes
                                 Dm
All I see is black and white and blue.
                        Cm
Idle, idle, idle, idle, protect the nest
Protect the title

Bb
I must be me, I'm in my head
      Gm
Black birds are circling my bed
  Dm
I must be me, I must be me
      Cm
Black feathers are falling on my feet
Bb                         Gm
Idle, idle, idle, idle, protect the nest
Protect the title
Dm                         Cm
Idle, idle, idle, idle, protect the nest
Protect the title
[repeat]

[end]
G  C