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Torch Committee by Josh Ritter
Torch Committee
Tuning:E A D G B E
Capo:5th fret
[Intro]
Em Em
[Verse 1]
Em
Good evening, may we say again
G
How pleased we are that you've come in
Am
The day was long, your bed was soft
C
Still there's some names we're crossing off
Em
It says here by your file you
G
Have been so loyal, brave, and true
Am
We need not fret, you need not fear
C
And so we come to why you're here
[Interlude]
Em G
C Am
[Verse 2]
Em
The torch committee now confirms
G
The truth of rumors lately heard
Am
That there come monsters in our midst
C
Well-disguised and carefully hid
Em
Anywhere and anyone
G
The root of every evil done
Am
But you will help us root them out
C
The torch committee has no doubt
[Interlude]
Em G
C Am
[Verse 3]
Em
We see your hands and legs are tied
G
In clearest breach of by-law five
Am
And left here in this little room
C
In clearest breach of by-law two
Em
And though you know that we take pains
G
The process of the law remains
Am
All technicalities aside
C
You'll see our hands are also tied
[Interlude]
Em G
C Am
[Verse 4]
Em
For us, the job brings only pain
G
To see you naked in these chains
Am
To see you naked where you stand
C
Where so many others have
Em
Imagine how it feels each day
G
To send so many men a way
Am
But see we've got a job and we
C
Must dot each "i" and cross each "t"
[Interlude]
Em G
C Am
[Verse 5]
Em
Something's horribly amiss
G
How else could you be on our list
Am
Still we all know directive twelve
C
All those so named must prove themselves
Em
To hungry mob and angry crowd
G
Young men making families proud
Am
By means not meant for light of day
C
We wish there was a softer way
[Interlude]
Em G
C Am
[Verse 6]
Em
Wait, suppose that we untie
G
Your hands to sign upon this line
Am
To pledge that you have always been
C
A patriot and citizen
Em
Please ignore the legalese
G
Lawyers (am I right?) now see
Am
Why we're so happy that you came
C
Appendix three and list of names
[Interlude]
Em G
C Am
[Verse 7]
Em
Pardon us but we can't help
G
But laugh, if you could see yourself
Am
Relax, it's always strange to see
C
The names on each appendix three
Em
Brothers, fathers, sons, and wives
G
The ones with whom you've shared your life
Am
Mothers, daughters, sisters, friends
C
Patriots and citizens
Em
Children playing in the street
G
Strangers whom you chance to meet
Am
The God to whom you chance to pray
C
The girl with whom you choose to stay
[Verse 8]
Em
We know the monsters, know their names
G
By which they go and which they've changed
Am
And every whisper that we've heard
C
We've read their poison, every word
Em
How we wish that we could say
G
That each of them will walk away
Am
But sadly it's the awful truth
C
It's them or us, it's them or you
[Interlude]
Em G
C Am
Em G
C Am
[Verse 9]
Em
So put your finger to the names
G
The only cure for fear is blame
Am
In doing so, you're doing good
C
There's many called who never would
Em
Who stuck by what they thought was right
G
Who disappeared by dark of night
Am
Who disappeared into the breeze
C
Left no family left to grieve
[Interlude]
Em G
C Am
[Verse 10]
Em
There, now see, that wasn't bad
G
As you leave, you can be glad
Am
That you have done your little part
C
To fight the monsters in the dark
Em
But have a care, the night is cold
G
Take a torch before you go
Am
And we will keep you safe and warm
C
That's what the torch committee's for
[Outro]
Em G C Am
Em G C Am
Em G C Am
Em G C Am
Em G Em C
Em G C Am
Em G C Am
Em G C Am
Em G C Am
Em
*Just to keep the verses straight without following line-for-line*
Good evening, may we say again
The torch committee now confirms
We see your hands and legs are tied
For us, the job brings only pain
Something's horribly amiss
Wait, suppose that we untie
Pardon us but we can't help
We know the monsters, know their names
So put your finger to the names
There, now see, that wasn't bad
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