The Tragically Hip - Ahead by a Century ======================================= Tabbed by Owen Tosh mailfortytwo@gmail.com http://42.servehttp.com This song is easy to strum along to - the one tough part is the intro, which is throughout the song. Read my notes on the fingerings if you find it difficult. If rather learn it, just play D and E (see the simple tab below to know when to play them). Legend: V = downbeat ^ = upbeat EADGBe A= (x02220@1)X02220 A2 = 002200 (Asus2 or Esus4) Cadd9 = X32030 (or Cadd2) D= (xx0232@1)X00232 D2 = X00230 (Dsus2) D* = X00235 (an alternate of D) E= (022100@1)022100 E4 = 002100 (Eadd4 or Amaj7sus2) E4* = 002X00 (an alternate of Eadd4) G/B = X20033 The Intro ========= The simple melody, broken down (with the simple chords): D (xx0232@1) E (022100@1) V ^ V ^ V ^ V ^ V ^ V ^ V ^ V ^ e |-2-----------0-------5-------2-|-----5-------------------------| B |-------------------------------|-------------------------------| G |-------------------------------|-----------------1---2---1-----| D |-------------------------------|-------------2---------------2-| A |-------------------------------|-------------------------------| E |-------------------------------|-------------------------------| But if you want to strum and play the melody, you'll need the chords. When you strum, harder on the area where the melody is carried (i.e. on the higher strings during the D and on the middle ones during the E4 and A2 stuff) and it'll come through. D (xx0232@1) D2 (x43141@2) D* D (xx0232@1) D* E4* E4 (022200@1)A2 (x02420@1)E4E4* (022200@1) V ^ V ^ V ^ V ^ V ^ V ^ V ^ V ^ e |-2-----------0-------5-------2-|-----5-------0---0---0---0---0-| B |-3-----------3-------3-------3-|-----3-------0---0---0---0---0-| G |-2-----------2-------2-------2-|-----2-----------1---2---1-----| D |-0-----------0-------0-------0-|-----0-------2---2---2---2---2-| A |-0-----------0-------0-------0-|-----0-------0---0---0---0---0-| E |-------------------------------|-------------------------------| The trick to the D part is the fingering. When playing the first D, use your index to bar the G, B, and e strings on the 2nd fret, and your middle finger on the B string on 3rd fret. This way, you can lift your index finger off the E string to play the D2, and your pinky finger over to the 5th fret to reach the D* chord. The Song ======== Intro x4 (see above notes) DFirst (xx0232@1)thing we'd climb a tree DAnd (xx0232@1)maybe then we'd talk DOr (xx0232@1)sit silently D (xx0232@1) Cadd9And (x32030@1)listen to our thoughts DIllusions (xx0232@1)of some day Cadd9Casting (x32030@1)a golden light DNo (xx0232@1)dress rehearsal This is our life Intro x2 D (xx0232@1) Cadd9And (x32030@1)that's when the hornet stung me DAnd (xx0232@1)I had a feverish dream Cadd9With (x32030@1)revenge and doubt DTonight (xx0232@1)we smoke them out A (x02220@1) You are ahead by a century G/B (143121@7) You are ahead by a century A (x02220@1) G/B (143121@7) You are ahead by a century Intro x4 DStare (xx0232@1)in the morning shroud DAnd (xx0232@1)then the day began DI (xx0232@1)tilted your cloud D (xx0232@1) Cadd9You (x32030@1)tilted my hand DRain (xx0232@1)falls in real time Cadd9Rain (x32030@1)fell through the night DNo (xx0232@1)dress rehearsals This is our life D (xx0232@1) D (xx0232@1) Cadd9But (x32030@1)that's when the hornet stung me DAnd (xx0232@1)I had a serious dream Cadd9With (x32030@1)revenge and doubt DTonight (xx0232@1)we smoke them out A (x02220@1) You are ahead by a century G/B (143121@7) You are ahead by a century A (x02220@1) G/B (143121@7) You are ahead by a century A (x02220@1) You are ahead by a century G/B (143121@7) You are ahead by a century A (x02220@1) G/B (143121@7) You are ahead by a century D (xx0232@1) And disappointing you's getting me down Intro x6 Other Notes =========== During the verses, feel free to play around with a D2 during the long D part. The strumming pattern of the verses goes something like this: Beat: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & Emphasis: * * * * * * Rhythm: 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 Hope this makes sense. Enjoy learning an awesome song!