Sides by Justin Vernon Lyric and Guitar Chords

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

SIDES – Justin Vernon

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tabbed by:
Email: liam11111@hotmail.com

Tuning: EADGCD

Capo: 5th fret

Note: This is my interpretation of the chords he uses in the song. I’ve got the
1st and 2nd strings tuned down as it makes it sound closer to the recorded version
and easier on the fingers for beginners to!

Justin is well known to be experiment when it comes to guitar tunings (see Bon
Iver’s ‘Skinny love’ for example) so I might have fluked the right tuning.
And if not, then it’s pretty damn close! (to me anyhow). I’ll apologize in advance
for my haphazard way of writing chord tabs but hopefully you’ll understand the
gist of it if you listen to the song while practicing.

Please rate and give feedback!

Chords:

(using chords that closely resemble to equivalent in standard tuning)

C Am G Em F F# (for use in last chorus)

d|-0-| d|-0-| d|-0-| d|-0-| d|-0-| d|-x-|
C|-0-| C|-0-| C|-0-| C|-0-| C|-0-| C|-x-|
G|-0-| G|-2-| G|-0-| G|-0-| G|-2-| G|-2-|
D|-2-| D|-2-| D|-0-| D|-2-| D|-3-| D|-2-|
A|-3-| A|-0-| A|-2-| A|-2-| A|-3-| A|-0-|
E|---| E|---| E|-3-| E|-0-| E|-1-| E|-2-|

Intro:

(i’d advise listening to the intro seeing as i’m not sure how best to place these chords…)

Verse 1

So I heard it from a friend
That there was this guy that I should talk to
So you let me in
Old big doors underneath a crucifix statue
So I explained to you
I was having troubles getting through
And I was thinking of my end
It was just the sky I kept looking to You said:

Chorus

I’m on your side
I thanked you and I cried
I almost died

Verse 2

I was making strides
I was showing up every Sunday
But I was still confused
About the pain that had invaded me
And I’m still wondering
If my souls worth it to anybody
You assured me
That the congregation would hear me…They said

Chorus 2

We’re on your side,
There’s an unconditional kingdom
That stands up high
He let’s all believers in
Through the forgiveness of sins

Verse 3

So I explained to you what was the cause of my suffering
See it was a while ago
There was an alleyway and there was a group of men
And when they hurt me
They whispered that the gays had to pay
When they beat me
All of my worth was taken away
See I needed you
And you know another lords own way through
But I was unfolded
I believed there was something he could do
But you just hung your head
Told me it was the door I needed to be going to
“Son there’s just principles
I cannot be the one who helps you” You said:

Chorus 3:

I’m not your side
You’re probably paying for your sins
I don’t understand your kind
It isn’t mine….(pause)

Verse 4:

Father your cold hearts a smoking gun
Your cross ain’t no where I want to hang my hope from
There’s still something I half believe
And that’s why I’m leaving this world behind me
See my sexuality don’t have nothing to do with my integrity
When I get into that land
I’ll lead with the one who wears the crown He will say:

Chorus 4:

I’m on your side
The side that’s kind
Judge not what’s right
F# G (Downward strum from 6’th to 3rd string)
In time you’ll find you left