There's Something You Can Do - Chords, Lyrics and Origins
Origins
This is one of my original songs. It was written at a time when, on one important front at least, life was taking a backward turn, and it seemed that I wouldn't be able to recapture former glories. However, the relationship at the centre of life held steady, and the very simple message of the song is that loyal human relationships are not just a consolation, but the very thing that makes existence worthwhile.
Philosohpising apart, I play the D chord that appears in each line of the verse in a slightly strange position - take a standard C chord, slide the whole thing up two frets and then put your little finger on the 5th fret of the top E string (the note you fret is an A). It's probably actually a form of Dsus4. For the C that appears twice in each verse, I keep my third finger on the bass G (6th string, 3rd fret), put my 2nd finger on the middle E (4th string, second fret), my 1st finger on the C above that (2nd string, 1st fret) and my little finger on the high G (1st string, 3rd fret). Give it a go - these chords will give you a nice unresolved sound.
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Chords
G C D C
When my world breaks down,
G C D C
When it falls apart,
G C D C
And I'm left alone,
G C D C
Back here at the start,
C G Dsus4 D
Then there's nothing you can do,
C G
Except hold my hand
C D G C G C
And love me like you do.
Bridge
C G Am7 G
Although my day is done and my battle lost,
C G C D C
I have a precious jewel beyond any cost.
G
Though the world is upside down
Am7 G
And sweet luck departs,
C G C D G
You make of silence sound to fill an empty heart.
G C G C
Lyrics
When my world breaks down,
When it falls apart
And I’m left alone,
Back here at the start,
Then there’s nothing you can do,
Except hold my hand and love me like you do.
The ticker tape parade
Passed on years ago;
Now the memories fade
Of this old hero,
And there’s nothing you can do
Except hold my hand and love me like you do.
Although my day is done and my battle lost,
I have a precious Jewell beyond any cost.
Though the world is upside-down and sweet luck departs,
You make of silence sound to fill an empty heart.
When I come home at night
Full of deep despair
And I can’t see the light
Shining anywhere
Then there’s something you can do:
You can hold my hand and love me like you do.
Copyright © Peter Webster 2007