Verse:

D5 (xx023x@1)                    
The D.A. is dressed to the nines
A5In (x022xx@1)the mirror he practices all his lines
D5To (xx023x@1)his closing argument twelve hearts beat in favor
A5I'm (x022xx@1)guessing that he read the morning paper
Cm (x3101x@1)                                         GmThe (355333@1)headline reads "the man hangs", but the jury doesn't

Pre Chorus:
D5 (xx023x@1)                        FAnd (133211@1)everyone's looking for relief
D5 (xx023x@1)                    FUnited (133211@1)States versus disbelief
D5 (xx023x@1)                                     A5Mothers (x022xx@1)cast tears on both sides of the aisle
D5 (xx023x@1)                           FClear (133211@1)your throat and face the world
D5 (xx023x@1)                                         FThe (133211@1)verdict falls like bachelors for bad luck girls
D5 (xx023x@1)                             A5Only (x022xx@1)breathing with the aid of denial.

Chorus:
Bb (x1333x@1)             FCase (133211@1)open, case shut,
               F# (244322@1)    
But you could pay to close it like a casket
Bb (x1333x@1)                              FBaby (133211@1)boy can't lift his headache head
F#Isn't (244322@1)it tragic? (Whoaaa-ooo)

Verse 2:

He glances at his peers sitting seven to twelve stacked
On one to six the gallery is hushed
Boys in three pieces dream of grandstanding and bravado
The city sleeps in a cell notwithstanding what we all know
Hang on a rope or bated breath
Whichever you prefer

Pre chorus

And everyone's looking for relief
A bidding war for an old flame's grief
The cause, the kid, the course, the charm, and the curse
Not a word that could make you comprehend
Too well dressed for the witness stand
The press prays for whichever headline's worse

Chorus

Case open, case shut,
But you could pay to close it like a casket
Baby boy can't lift his headache head
Isn't it tragic? (Whoaaa-ooo)

Bridge:
D5 (xx023x@1)                   
Fresh pressed suit and tie
A5Unimpressed (x022xx@1)birds sing and die
Cm (x3101x@1)                    GmCan (355333@1)talk my way out of anything
D5The (xx023x@1)foreman reads the verdict
A5 (x022xx@1)                           Cm (x3101x@1)         Gm"In (355333@1)the above entitled actions we find the defendant..."
D5 let ring
Guilty...Guilty...Guilty...Guilty..
.

Case open, case shut,
But you could pay to close it like a casket
Baby boy can't lift his headache head
Isn't it tragic?
[x2]