Yo La Tengo
"By the Time It Gets Dark"
I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One [Deluxe Edition] (1997) & Prisoners of Love: A 
of Senescent Songs (2005)
Tabbed by: manguero


One of my favorite songs ever!

This is a cover of a wonderful song by Sandy Denny (of Fairport Convention).  
However, it deserves to be tabbed in its own right, because Yo La Tengo doesn't 
play it as a straight cover; the chords in their version have a more droning 
quality whereas Sandy's change around a lot.  Listen to the two recordings to hear 
what I mean.

For the verses, you'll keep your fingers in the same position, except that your 
middle finger will walk up a bass line (E-F#-A).  You can even do the quick step 
up to B when switch back to Eadd9 if you want.  Listen to the recording to hear 
how it goes.  As for the chorus, I'm not sure if it's exactly right (sounds a 
little weird played along with the recording), but I think it sounds good.

Just to be clear, here's how I play these chords:
Eadd9: 022102
Eadd9/F#: 2x2102
Eadd9/A: x02102


INTRO:
Eadd9 Eadd9/F# Eaddd9/A Eadd9

Eadd9       Eadd9/F#    Eadd9/A  Eadd9
Baby, every cloud has a silver lining
           Eadd9/F#   Eadd9/A  Eadd9
Baby every dog really has his  day
               Eadd9/F#   Eadd9/A   Eadd9
And it matters to me to   see you   smiling
             Eadd9/F#      Eadd9/A    Eadd9
Why don't we blow all your cares away?


             Eadd9/F#      Eadd9/A     Eadd9
Yesterday is gone and will be       forgotten
             Eadd9/F#    Eadd9/A   Eadd9
And today is where every new day   starts
          Eadd9/F#      Eadd9/A   Eadd9
Got to be free like the leaves in autumn
           Eadd9/F#   Eadd9/A  Eadd9
You may be sad but it never    lasts.

Eadd9

CHORUS:
    C#m    B                          A            E
And maybe,    by the evening we'll be laughing
              C#m
Just wait and see
                         B
All the changes there'll be
       A            E          Eadd9
By the time it gets dark.


Eadd9       Eadd9/F#    Eadd9/A      Eadd9
We could go walking out in the    sunshine
                Eadd9/F#   Eadd9/A   Eadd9
Look at all the people out in the    street
         Eadd9/F#    Eadd9/A  Eadd9
Hurrying away to a   business luncheon
              Eadd9/F#   Eadd9/A  Eadd9
Waiting for a taxi for   aching   feet.


              Eadd9/F#    Eadd9/A   Eadd9
Light up your face, baby, let's get going
              Eadd9/F#        Eadd9/A   Eadd9
Want to see a change in those weary     eyes
                Eadd9/F#    Eadd9/A  Eadd9
We'll have some fun, take a boat out rowing
                    Eadd9/F#   Eadd9/A    Eadd9
Why on earth should life be so serious?

Eadd9

[CHORUS] x2

Eadd9/F#   Eadd9/A      Eadd9
  By the   time it gets dark.
Eadd9/F#   Eadd9/A      Eadd9
  By the   time it gets dark.
Eadd9/F#   Eadd9/A      Eadd9
  By the   time it gets dark.