Silver Skies Blue by Judy Collins, tabs and chords at PlayUkuleleNET

Silver Skies Blue

Biography:

Judy Collins (born Judith Marjorie Collins on May 1, 1939, in Seattle, Washington) is an American singer and songwriter known for the eclectic range of material she records (which has included folk, show tunes, pop, and rock and roll, as well as and standards) and for her social activism. Beginning in 1959, she was drawn to the music of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, and the traditional songs of the folk revival of the early 1960s. In 1968 she was awarded a Grammy for "Both Sides Now".

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Judy Collins - Silver Skies Blue - Album (2016)

1. Drifting Away
2. I Choose Love
3. Silver Skies Blue
4. Slow Burn
5. The Weight
6. Aberdeen
7. Let You In
8. Run
9. Elena
10. Home Before Dark
11. Strangers Again
12. Secret Harbor

==================================================================

Track 1 - Drifting Away

CAPO: 2nd Fret

[Intro]
G

[Verse 1]

Out on a blue southern ocean
F C
I am humbled looking skyward
F C
Beholden to the current
F C G
Floating on a gentle summer wave
D G
Dreaming the day, drifting away

[Verse 2]

Nothing to do but do nothing
F C
In the stillness of the moment
F C
In the kindness of the sun
F C G
Just to be, the only thing I crave
D G
Dreaming the day, drifting away

[Verse 3]

It's been a long lonely winter
F C
Though my body had recoiled
F C
I’m now opened by the water
F C
Renewed with a purpose
F C G
I'll return to you, the love that you gave
D G
Embracing the day, drifting away

[Instrumental]
C G F C F C F C G D

[Verse 4]
G
There is a cloud hanging over
F C
But I am looking past her
F C
Though she is majestic
F C
To the endless sky above
F C G
And I feel I've found the courage to be brave
D G
Dreaming the day, drifting away
D G
Dreaming the day, drifting away

==================================================================

Track 2 - I Choose Love

CAPO: 4th Fret

[Intro]
C G C F C G C

[Verse 1]
G
Every day we're given
C
Another chance to be
G
Someone good for someone

To give your heart for free
Am
A chance to either fall below
F G
Or better rise above
C G
I choose love
C
I choose love

[Verse 2]
G
We've been known to bicker
C
We've been prone to scream
G
Going at each other till we

Fizzle out of steam
Am
Aren't you tired of dishing out
F G
The pushes and the shoves?
C G
I choose love
C
I choose love

[Bridge]
F
We hide from pain, we criticize
Am
We veil the truth, we patronize
F Am
To help ourselves traverse the bumpy ride
F
Beholden to our wary minds
Am
We go great lengths to be unkind
F Am G F C G C
We'd rather circumvent than walk the line______

[Verse 3]
G
I haven't done much giving
C
Thought mostly of me
G
Didn't want to notice

What isn't hard to see
Am
What's easiest to actualise
F G
And rarely spoken of
C G
To choose love
C
To choose love

[Outro]
Am
A chance to either fall below
F G
Or better rise above
C G
I choose love
C G
I choose love
C G
I choose love
C
I choose love

==================================================================

Track 3 - Silver Skies Blue

CAPO: 3rd Fret

[Intro]
G

[Verse 1]
C
When the light uncovers you
G
I will sing a morning song
Em Bm
Like a sparrow in an oak tree
C D
Till the dreams say, "So long"
Em Bm
You will turn around to see me
C A Am
Lying eager next to you
D G
I’ll colour your silver skies blue

[Verse 2]
C
As the scent of spring arrives
G
I will dance you through the green
Em Bm
Guiding every new footstep
C D
Till you recall our routine
Em Bm
You will slow me down and hold me
C A Am
Closer till your grip is true
D G
You’ll colour my silver skies blue

[Chorus]
D C G
Oh, the rush of love with its tender breeze
D C G
Firming up the roots, cooling off the leaves
Em Bm
We clutch deeper in the soil
C D
We grow taller towards the blue

[Interlude]
G
Em Bm
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
C D
Oohoo ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Em Bm
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
C A Am D G
Oohoo ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

[Chorus]
D C G
Oh, the rush of love with its tender breeze
D C G
Firming up the roots, cooling off the leaves
Em Bm
We clutch deeper in the soil
C D
We grow taller towards the blue

[Verse 3]
G C
When the noise is all that's there
G
In your poor embattled mind
Em Bm
I will touch you on the heart
C D
So your body you can find
Em Bm
And you'll turn around and see me
C A Am
Lying eager next to you
D G
I'll colour you silver skies blue
Am D G
I'll colour you silver skies blue
Am D G
I'll colour you silver skies blue

==================================================================

Track 4 - Slow Burn

[Intro]
C G F C G F C

[Verse 1]
G F C
I had a slow burn for you darling
G F C
We were walking by the river
G F C
I was young and a fool, darling
G F C
I didn't know about forever

[Verse 2]
G F C
We took a train to Vermont, darling
G F C
We skied the mountains in the west
G F C
And all the while the fire smouldered
G F Eb
I felt it burning in my chest

[Verse 3]
F C Eb
We were walking by the ocean
F C Eb
On the coast of California
F C
I felt that I should tell you something
F G C
But then the moment passed

[Verse 4]
G F C
Life went on for us, darling
(I was never very far)
G F C
We went our separate ways
(But I had to stay away)
G F C
I very seldom thought of you, darling
(Hard to remember)
G F Eb
The past was all a haze

[Verse 5]
F C Eb
Then I saw you in the city
(Couldn't believe my eyes)
F C Eb
Your eyes lit up and so did mine
(There was so much to say)
F C F
We walked together by the reservoir
(Hold my hand)
G C
And shared a glass of wine

[Verse 6]
G F C
The time has passed away, darling
G F C
I thought the flame was burning out
G F C
I had my life to live, darling
G F Eb
Could I let go of any doubt

[Verse 7]
F C Eb
When I saw you that day in the city
(Memories floated back)
F C Eb
I suffered such a surprise
(It all was such a surprise)
F C F
The fire was lit and the slow burn started
G C
Had it never died

[Verse 8]
G F C
Now there's a slow burn, darling
(Just like there'd been before)
G F C
Like a sweet and smoky song
(A longing in our hearts)
G F C
And what I didn't know, darling
(Maybe this was meant to be)
G F
Was that your love was never gone

[Outro]
C
I have a slow burn
Am
I have a slow burn
G
I have a slow burn
C
For you
C
I have a slow burn
Am
I have a slow burn
G
I have a slow burn
C
For you

==================================================================

Track 5 - The Weight

[Intro]
Am

[Verse 1]
C
I'm going down to the riverbank this morning
F C G
Way before the family is awake
Am C
Gonna lay me down at the foot of the water
F C G Am
And spill out all my troubles for everyone's sake

[Verse 2]
C
You can't have love when you never can surrender
F C G
I've been spreading around my anger like a plague
F D
I have sailed this far with my boat on fire
F D Em
Fighting flames each day, too stubborn to expire

{Chorus]
F Am
I will soak my soul
G
Let the river take control
D
The river take control
F Am
And I know it's not too late
G
To let go the weight
Am
To let go the weight

[Verse 3]
C
The sun will rise and shine on me this morning
F C G
It will seep its way into my heart
Am C
And untie all the knots that have hardened me through the years
F C G Am
And I'll embrace the wisdom that sun will impart

[Verse 4]
C
And with this heat burning inside me
F C G
I will warm all the people that I love
F D
In their darkest hours and the weakest of minds
F D Em
I'll light up their nights with every star I can find__

{Chorus]
F Am
I will soak my soul
G
Let the river take control
D
The river take control
F Am
And I know it's not too late
G
To let go the weight

To let go___

{Chorus]
F Am
Oh, I will soak my soul
G
Let the river take control
D
The river take control
F Am
And I know it's not too late
G
To let go the weight
Am
To let go the weight

[Outro]
F Am
Ooh ooh ooh, etc.
F Am
Ooh ooh ooh, etc.
F Am
Ooh ooh ooh, etc.
F Am
Ooh ooh ooh, etc.

==================================================================

Track 6 - Aberdeen

CAPO: 1st Fret

[Intro]
Em C Am Em C Am Em

[Verse 1]
C Am Em
When I get out of Aberdeen, one of these days
C Am
Trade in the truck and these fields of green for a ticket on the airways
Em C Am Em
I've seen pictures in magazines of skyscrapers and light displays
C A7 C
And all that I can think about, is getting away today

[Chorus]
Am
Every dollar I have saved
D
Every winter I have braved
Em
Every road that I have paved, well
C
Leads to somewhere
Am
Never was there any doubt
D
I would make my way out
Em
I want to know what life's all about and
D Em C Am Em
I will get there__

[Verse 2]
C Am
Like clockwork the sun rises on my farm
Em C Am
Brightens the hills and wakes the trees, this town has its charm
Em C Am
But although when you see it, day in and day out for over twenty years
Em C A7 C
What once was a choice becomes obvious, now it's clear, I gotta do it

[Chorus]
Am
Every dollar I have saved
D
Every winter I have braved
Em
Every road that I have paved, well
C
Leads to somewhere
Am
Never was there any doubt
D
I would make my way out
Em
I want to know what life's all about and
D C
I will get there__

[Instrumental]
C Am C Am Em

[Verse 3]
C Am
When I get out of Aberdeen, one of these days
Em C Am
I'm not quite sure which way I'll lean, but it won't matter anyway
Em C Am Em
I'll never forget about you, you and I, we'll meet again someday and
C A7 C
All I know is, I can't stay___ here

[Chorus]
Am
Every dollar I have saved
D
Every winter I have braved
Em
Every road that I have paved, well
C
Leads to somewhere
Am
Never was there any doubt
D
I would make my way out
Em
I want to know what life's all about and
D C
I will get there__

[Chorus]
Am
Every dollar I have saved
D
Every winter I have braved
Em
Every road that I have paved, well
C
Leads to somewhere
Am
Never was there any doubt
D
I would make my way out
Em
I want to know what life's all about and
D Em C Am
I will get there__
Em C Am
I will get there__
Em
I will get there____

==================================================================

Track 7 - Let You In

[Intro]
D G D (2x)

[Verse 1]
G
I stare at the frame that borders around
D
Thought there was something we had
G
Others within, colours arise
D
I was surprised to find

[Verse 2]
G
But in truth, what you reveal
D
Is every ( ? ? ? )
G
Say to the touch, open reveal
D
Finally someone there

[Chorus]
Em D
Gone are the shadows that trailed me around
Em D Em G
Gone are the sandpaper voices that wore me thin
D G D
I wanna let you in

[Verse 3]
G
There is a room, weathered and old
D
That I long to show you
G
Where others have come, filled in the holes
D
Leaving the lies they told
G
No matter how many dreams they stole
D
They couldn't take my soul

[Chorus]
Em D
Gone are the shadows that trailed me around
Em D Em G
Gone are the sandpaper voices that wore me thin
D
I wanna let you in

[Chorus]
Em D
Gone are illusions by which I've been bound
Em D Em G
You are the rush of relief underneath my skin
D
I wanna let you in

[Bridge]
Bm D
Love, for the very first time
Em A
I can see myself in you eyes
G A
Watch the pain of the past
Bm A
Drift away for good, at last

[Interlude]
D G D A D

D G D
Ooh ooh ooh, etc.
D G D
Ooh ooh ooh, etc.

[Chorus]
Em D
Gone are the shadows that trailed me around
Em D Em G
Gone are the sandpaper voices that wore me thin
D
I wanna let you in

[Chorus]
Em D
Gone are illusions by which I've been bound
Em D Em G
You are the rush of relief underneath my skin
D G D
I wanna let you in

==================================================================

Track 8 - Run

[Intro]
Am

[Verse 1]

In a country that pretends to learn
G
From tragedy and pain
F Dm Am
Revolution is a never-ending game

The cards are dealt, the odds are known
G
The winners hide away
F Dm Am
Till fortune brings them round again
F Dm E
It's a wound that seems too large to mend

[Chorus]
Am F
I want to run away from it
G Em
I want to run, don't wanna stay for it
Am F
I want to run, far as I can go
G Em
But it's not the answer
Am F
I want to run because I've seen enough
G Em
I want to run, but I can't give up
Dm Am
I won't run____

[Verse 2]

There are those that I believe
G
Have courage fit to lead
F Dm Am
But they say the damage has been done

And that all that's left to do
G
Is hope and pray for miracles
F Dm Am
They've decided that the darkness has won
F Dm E
As if blind to each morning's sun

[Chorus]
Am F
Makes me wanna run away from it
G Em
I want to run, don't wanna stay for it
Am F
I want to run, far as I can go
G Em
But it's not the answer
Am F
I want to run, but I'm never through
G Em
I want to run, there's more that I can do
Dm G
I won't run____
F G
I won't run____

[Instrumental]
G Am F G Em Am F G Em Am F G Em Am F G Em

[Chorus]
Am F
I wanna run away from it
G Em
I want to run, don't wanna stay for it
Am F
I want to run, far as I can go
G Em
But it's not the answer
Am F
I want to run, but I'm never through
G Em
I want to run, there's more that I can do
Dm
I won't run____
F
I won't run____
Dm
I won't run____
G Am
I won't run____

==================================================================

Track 9 - Elena

[Intro]
Dm C G Dm C G Dm

[Verse 1]
C G Dm
Elena is working on Lorimer Street
C G Dm
Directing the traffic in the sweltering heat
F C F A7
She winds through the motions, a tape on repeat
Dm C G Dm C G Dm
She's there until moonlight, making ends meet

[Verse 2]
C G Dm
Two kids in school, another dropped out
C G Dm
All drawn to darkness, futures in doubt
F C F A7
Mama's heart beating on their whereabouts
Dm C G Dm D7
And how they'll find water in the merciless drought

[Chorus]
Gm C
And she prays to you
F Bb
Your boundless light
A7 Dm D7
That one day you'll come to make things right
Gm C
Sprinkling skies of falling stars
F Bb
Where she dreams of flying
A7
Another day's gone by

[Verse 3]
Dm C G Dm
Quietly humming a spiritual song
C G Dm
The lilt of each melody keeping her strong
F C F A7
Where all dreams are possible, all doubt is gone
Dm C G Dm D7
Where instead of darkness she sees only dawn

[Chorus]
Gm C
And she prays for you
F Bb
Every waking night
A7 Dm D7
To dance the breezes as a kite
Gm C
The endless seas surround her now
F Bb
And she drifts away
A7
How she'd love to stay

[Verse 4]
Dm C G Dm
Elena is working on Lorimer Street
C G Dm
The pavement beneath her abusing her feet
F C F A7
She winds through the motions, a tape on repeat
Dm C G Dm
She's there until moonlight, making ends meet
F C F A7
She winds through the motions, a tape on repeat
Dm C G Dm C G Dm
She's there until moonlight, making ends meet

==================================================================

Track 10 - Home Before Dark

[Intro]
Am Em F C F Dm7 C G

[Verse 1]
C
I packed up my bags
F G
Put in my favourite Levi's
C F G
Laid my mandolin beside the door
Am
"Listen Mama

[Chorus]
Em F C F
I won't be long__, don't worry about me
Dm7 C Am
I'll be home before dark
Em F C F
I'll be alright and you'll be fine without me
Dm7 C G
I'll be home before dark"

[Verse 2]
C F
Bought a ticket
G
To New York City
C F G
One way out and no return
C
I watched the sun go down
F G
Across the plains from Denver
C F G Bb
Lord, how the western sky can burn

[Bridge]
F
Met a boy in the darkness
Ab Eb
Handsome, tall and heartless
Cm Bb F
Loved him like an eagle loves the wind
Am
Till I heard him say

[Chorus:]
Em F C F
"I won't be long__, don't worry about me
Dm7 C Am
I'll be home before dark
Em F C F
I'll be alright and you'll be fine without me
Dm7 C
I'll be home before dark"

[Instrumental]
Am Em F C F Dm7 C (2x)

[Verse 3]
G C
My daughter looks like him they say
F G
To me she looks like mama
C F G
I see an eagle shadow in her eyes
C
Last night, on her birthday
F G
We blew the candles out together
C F G
I wonder will she take me by surprise
Am
When she says, "Mama

[Chorus]
Em F C F
I won't be long__, don't worry about me
Dm7 C Am
I'll be home before dark
Em F C F
I'll be alright and you'll be fine without me
Dm7 C F
I'll be home before dark
Dm7 C
I'll be home before dark"

==================================================================

Track 11 - Strangers Again

[Verse 1]
D A
Long before we ever touched
Bm A
Long before we knew too much
Bm A D
I wish we were strangers again

[Verse 2]
A
Long before we ever kissed
Bm A D
Long before I ever missed you
Bm A D
I wish we were strangers again

[Verse 3]
A
I want yesterday to come back again
Bm
Nothing is as simple as I once knew
A
Why can't everything be the way it was
Bm A
Before the day that I lost you?

[Verse 4]

I want yesterday to come back again
Bm
Nothing is as simple as I once knew
A
Why can't everything be the way it was
Bm A
Before the day that I lost you?

[Verse 5]
D A
Long before the afterglow
Bm A
Long before our tears fell slow
Bm A
I wish we were strangers
Bm A
I wish we were strangers
Bm A D
I wish we were strangers again

==================================================================

Track 12 - Secret Harbor

[Intro]
C F Bb C

[Verse 1]
Em C
I slipped into your harbour, past the pirate ships
F G F
The lights were low, my sails were down
Em C
The seal of sacred silence was on my lips
F G F
I prayed the storms were weathered now

[Verse 2]
Em C
I climbed aboard at midnight, the sky was black
F G F
The gamble lost, the tables turned
Em C
And even in the darkness I heard you laugh
F G F C
And wept as all my bridges burned

[Chorus]
F C
There is a secret harbour somewhere north
F C
A place where ships are not in flames
F C
A cove of beauty hidden from your eyes
Am
A place where no one knows your name

[Verse 3]
Bm G
You said how can you be so innocent
C D C
You were my demon all the while
Bm G
I saw the skull and crossbones on your mast
C D C
The predator behind the smile

[Verse 4]
Em C
I cursed you as the wind blew through my sails
F G F
I loved you till the moonlight drowned
Em C
I sought you through the streets and waterways
F G F C
My calling for you still resounds

[Chorus]
F C
There is a secret harbour somewhere north
F C
A place where ships are not in flames
F C
A cove of beauty hidden from your eyes
Am
A place where no one knows your name

[Bridge]
Dm7 Em F
You wooed me with your wicked smile that night
Em Eb
And then you promised me the moon
Gm
I saw it floating in the waters deep
Eb D
And then it disappeared too soon

[Verse 5]
Em C
I sailed out of your harbour, through the rising tide
F G F
My memories were filled with pain
Em C
I drifted towards the sunrise, lost in fog
F G F
Your echo had me wrapped in chains

[Verse 6]
Em C
Your promises were drifting like men who'd drowned
F G F
The bitter water beckoned me
Em C
I wrapped the shadows round me once again
F G F C
And sailed through storms that set me free (set me free), set me free

[Chorus]
F C
There is a secret harbour somewhere north
F C
A place where ships are not in flames
F C
A cove of beauty hidden from your eyes
Am C
A place where no one knows your name

[Chorus]
F C
There is a secret harbour somewhere north
F C
A place where ships are not in flames
F C
A cove of beauty hidden from your eyes
Am Dm7
A place where no one knows your name

[Outro]
G Dm7
I washed my face in falling rain
G Am F Am
And swore that I'd find love again_______

==================================================================