A Better Place To Be

This is my favorite Harry Chapin tune. I thought others might like it too.

It's pretty simple to play.

It was an early morning barrom and the place just opened up

and the little man came in so fast and he started at his cup

D DMAJ7 D7 G

and the broad who served the whiskey was a big old friendly girl

who tried to fight her empty nights by smiling at the world

and she said hey bub it's been a while since you've been around

where the hell have you been hiding and why you look so down

Well the little man just sat there like he'd never heard a sound

the waitress she gave out with a cough and acting not the least put off

she spoke once again

She said I don't want to bother you consider it's understood

I know I'm not no beauty queen but I sure can listen good.

And the little man took his drink in his hand and he raise it to his lips

He took a couple of sips and he told the waitress his story.

I am the midnight watchman down at Miller's tool and dime

I watch the metal rusting, I watch the time go by

a week ago at the diner I stopped to get a bite

and this here lovely lady she sat two seats from my right

G G EM A,G,G D

And lord, lord, lord she was alright.

She was so damn beautiful that she could warm a winter's frost

but she look long past lonely and I, I was lost

I'm not much of a mover or a pick em up easy guy

but I decided to glide on over and give it one good try

and lord lord lord she was worth a try

Tongue tied like a schoolboy, I stammerred out some words

it did not seem to matter much, cause I don't think she heard

She just looked clear on through me, to a place back in my head

It shamed me into silence as quietly she said

(chorus)

If you want me to come with you than that's alright with me

cause I know I'm going nowhere and anywhere's a better place to be

Well I drove her to my boarding house and I took her up to my room

and I went to turn on the only light to brighten up the gloom

but she said please leave the light on, I don't mind the dark

and as her clothes all tumbled round her, I could hear my heart.

The moonlight shone upon her as she lay back in my bed

it was the kind of thing I only had imagined in my head

I just could not believe it , to think that she was real

and as I tried to tell her, she said, shhh I know just how you feel

and lord, lord, lord, she was alright.

Well the morning came so swiftly as I held her in my arms

She slept like a baby snug and safe from harm

I did not want to share her or dare to break the mood

so before she woke I went out to buy us both some food

I came back with my paper bag

to find that she was gone

she'd left a six word letter saying

it's time that I moved on.

You know the waitress she took her bar rag and she wiped it across her eyes

and as she spoke her voice came out as something like a sigh

She said I wish that I was beautiful or that you were halfway blind

I wish I weren't so goddamned fat, I wish that you were mine

and I wish that you'd come with me when I leave for home

for we both know all about emptiness and living all alone.

And the little man looked at the empty glass in his hand

and he smile a crooked grin

He said, I, I guess I'm outta gin

and I know we both have been so lonely.

(chorus)