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From: schn0170@maroon.tc.umn.edu


HOW CAN I HELP YOU SAY GOODBYE
(by Burton Banks Collins & Karen Good Taylor)
(performed by Patty Loveless)
-----------------------------
[Each chord is half a measure, except two measures joined by a hyphen
 (e.g., "C - C/E") are a half measure _total_.]

Am7  G/B  C  C   Am7  G/B  C  C
[intro]

D                  G            F   F
Through the back window of our '59 wagon
  C                       C             Gsus      G
I watched my best friend Jamie slipping further away
D         G           F          F
I kept on waving till I couldn't see her
    C                  C           F  -   G        C
And through my tears I asked again why we couldn't stay
F              F        Gsus           G
Mama whispered softly, time will ease your pain
F               F               Gsus          G
Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same

              C          C          G        C
And she said, how can I help you to say goodbye
     C        C             Gsus     G
It's okay to hurt, and it's okay to cry
F           G             C - C/E   F   F
Come let me hold you, and I will try
C/G       Am7      Gsus   G
How can I help you         to say goodbye

Am7(4)  G/B  C  C    Am7(4)  G/B  C  C
[instrumental]

I sat on our bed, he packed his suitcase
I held a picture of our wedding day
His hands were trembling, we both were crying
He kissed me gently, and then he quickly walked away
I called up Mama, she said, time will ease your pain
Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same

And she said, how can I help you to say goodbye
It's okay to hurt, and it's okay to cry
Come let me hold you, and I will try
How can I help you to say goodbye

Am7(4)  G/B   C   C    Am7(4)  G/B   C   C
[instrumental; lots of strings]
Am7    G/B    F - G/F    F    F - G/F    F
[instrumental; strings]
Gsus   Gsus   G   G
[instrumental; strings and an acoustic guitar riff]

Sitting with Mama, alone in her bedroom
She opened her eyes, and then squeezed my hand
She said, I have to go now, my time here is over
And with her final words she tried to help me understand
Mama whispered softly, time will ease your pain
Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same

And she said, how can I help you to say goodbye
It's okay to hurt, and it's okay to cry
Come let me hold you, and I will try
How can I help you to say goodbye

Am7(4)  G/B  C  C
[instrumental; play 4 times and end on C.]