Chords for Best of Times by SAGE FRANCIS

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_ _ _ I spent a long and lonely trip but I'm glad I took it because it was well worth it.
I got to read a couple books and do some research before I reached my verdict.
Never thought that I was perfect.
Always thought that I had a [G#m] purpose.
I used to wonder if I'd live to see my first kiss.
_ [C#m] The most difficult thing that I did was recite my own words at a service.
[A] Realizing the person I was addressing probably [C#m] wasn't looking down from [A] heaven.
Or cooking up something in a hell's kitchen.
Trying to listen in or eavesdrop from some other dimension.
It was self-serving just like this is.
[E] Conveniently religious on Easter Sunday and on Christmas the television went from being a babysitter to a mistress.
_ [G#m] Technology made it easy for us [B] to stay in touch while keeping a distance.
So we just stay distant and never touch.
Now all we do is text too much.
[C#m] I don't remember much from my youth.
Maybe my memory is repressed or I just spent too much time wondering if I'd live to have sex.
Found [A] in love for the first time in fourth grade, but I didn't have the courage to talk to her.
In eighth grade
I wrote the note and slipped it in somebody else's locker.
[E] Considered killing myself because of that.
It was a big deal.
It was a blown cover.
It was over for me.
My goose was cooked.
Stick a fork in me.
The jig is up.
[G#m] Blew my chances.
The rest is history.
[E] Our future was torn asunder.
[B] It became abundantly clear.
I was only brought here to suffer.
At [C#m] least I didn't include my name.
Thankfully I wrote the whole note in code and it had ten layers of scotch tape safety seal making it impossible to open.
[A] Plus it was set to self-destruct.
Whoever read it probably died laughing.
I wonder if they lived long enough [D#] to realize what happened.
A year later [E] came to understand
I wasn't love that I was feeling for her.
I had someone else to obsess over.
I was older.
I was very mature.
[G#m] I forged my time signature while [B] practicing my parents autograph because I was failing math.
Disconnected [G#m] the phone when I thought the teacher would call my [C#m] home.
Checked the mailbox twice a day.
The end of a long dirt road.
Seemed open a couple envelopes like [C#] I was in private detective mode.
[A] If you snoop around long enough for something in particular
you're guaranteed to find it.
For better or worse, that's how I learned it's best to just keep some things [D#] private.
_ _ [B] [E] Was the best of times. _ _ _ _ _
Was the end of [C#m] times.
_ _ _ [E] _
Was the best of times.
Was the end [A] of times.
Was the best of times.
Was the end [E] of times.
Best of times.
The end of times.
I was always on deck.
I was next [A] in line.
An only child with a pen and pad writing a list of things I could never [D#] have.
Walls in my house were paper [C#m] thin.
Prescribables seemed to get [E] deafening.
My memory served me correctly and made it a point to avoid and forget some [B] things.
Proudly to keep from being [C#m] embarrassed.
Never meant to upset or get briefed.
My [E] parents kept my secrets, hidden my talents.
In my head,
never run to the mattress.
Therapy couldn't break me.
Never learned a word that would ensure safety.
[A] So I spoke softly.
And I tiptoed off and the door to my room was like a big old [E] coffin.
The way that it creaked when I closed it shut.
Anxiety's peak when it opened [A] up.
As if everything that I was thinking would be exposed.
I still sleep fully [B] clothed. _
It was [A] the best of times.
_ _ [E] _ _
_ _ _ _ _ [B] It was beautiful.
It was brutal.
[A] It was cruel.
It was business as [E] usual.
Heaven.
It was hell.
Used to wonder if I lived to see 12.
When I did, I figured that I was immortal.
Love to dance but couldn't make it to the formal.
[A] Couldn't bear watching my imaginary girlfriend bust a move with any of the dudes.
[E] Toned up, was talking about a wild thing that was still caught up with some child [A] things.
Scared of a God who couldn't spare to ride.
It was clearly a brimstone of fire [B] things. Iro-maniac.
[A] Kleptomaniac.
Couldn't explain my desire to [E] steal that fire.
Now I add it to my rider.
Like please don't, please don't throw me in a [B] patch of briar.
It was the [A] best of times.
_ _ _ [E] _
It was the end of times.
The school counselor was clueless.
Cause I never skipped classes.
Perfect attendance.
Imperfect [A] accent.
Speech impediment.
They could never really fix.
And I fake bad eyesight so I could wear [E] glasses.
Consider doing something that would cripple me.
Wanted a wheelchair.
Wanted the [A] sympathy.
Wanted straight D's.
So then came braces.
Four years of ped gear helped me [B] change faces.
It was the [A] best of times.
_ [E] It was the end of times.
_ _ _ [B] Now I wonder if I'll live to see marriage.
[A] Wonder if I'll live long enough to have kids.
[E] Wonder if I'll live to see my kids have kids.
If I do, I'ma tell them how it is.
But don't listen when they tell you that these be your best years.
Don't let anyone protect [A] your ears.
It's best that you hear what they don't want you to [E] hear.
Better to have pressure from peers [E] than not have fear.
Fear won't give you chest hair.
Spicy food won't make you [A] curl.
When you think you got it all figured out and then everything [E] collapses.
Trust me, dear.
This about the end of the world. _ _ _ _ _ _ _
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[Gm] _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
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