Grace of Rain

 

Written by John Stewart

 

‘Grace of Rain’ is on the “Secret Tapes CD”, Neon Dreams, 2002 (the song was originally published on a Homecoming Records limited release cassette, “Secret Tapes 2”, on both the US- and the UK-release).  Live versions on “Neon Beach – John Stewart Live 1990”, Line Records CD, 1991, and on “Deep in the Neon – John Stewart Live at McCabe´s”, Homecoming Records CD, 1991. 

This is a strange and mighty song and there are many ways to interpret it for sure.  I won´t try.  More than a few memorable lines, and excellent playing.  I like the song much better now than when I first heard it.  Repeated listening (and now playing) may have the same effect for you.  Sounds good strummed, picked in a more conventional way and, of course, with the very rhythmic accompaniment John gave it.

 

 

Capo 2nd fret

 

(Em) (C) (Em) (C) (Em) (C) (Em) (C) (hold)

 

It's been a long, long (C)journey (D)

Down the river through the (Em)night.

It's been a long, long (C)journey, (D)

You were not in (G)sight.

It's been a long, long (C)journey, (D)

Now I want to touch the (Em)light.

(C) (Em) (C) (hold)

 

Was momentary (C)madness (D)

That I should let you (Em)go,

Momentary (C)madness (D)

To call and tell you (G)so,

Momentary (C)madness (D)

Can be a lifetime, don't you (Em)know.

(C) (Em) (C) (hold)

 

Still I'm a be(C)liever (D) in the mystery (Em)train,

I am a re(C)ceiver (D) in the mark of (Em)Cain.

I am a be(C)liever (D) in a grace of (G)rain,

I am a be(C)liever (D)(hold) in a grace of (Em)rain.

(Cj7) (Em) (Cj7) (hold)

 

The faithless heart's a (C)sailor, (D)

Who´s blowing in the (Em)sails,

Believing he is (C)moving (D)

As if the wind had (G)failed.

The faithless heart's a (C)sailor, (D)

Who´s blowing in the (Em)sails.

(C) (Em) (C) (hold)

 

I'm a man without (C)ritual, (D)

I'm a man without de(Em)sire.

A man without (C)ritual (D)

Who's looking all the (G)time,

Still a man without (C)ritual (D)

Is always out of (Em)line.

(C) (Em) (C) (hold)

 

Still I'm a be(C)liever (D) in the mystery (Em)train,

I am a re(C)ceiver (D) in the mark of (Em)Cain.

I am a be(C)liever (D) in a grace of (G)rain,

I am a be(C)liever (D)(hold) in a grace of (Em)rain.

(C) (Em) (C) (hold)

 

Still I'm a be(C)liever (D) in the grace of (Em)rain,

Oh, I am a be(C)liever (D) in the grace of (Em)rain,

Oh, I am a be(C)liever (D) in a grace of (Em)rain,

Grace of (Cj7)rain, grace of (Em)rain, grace of (Cj7)rain,

Still I´m a be(Em)liever, I´m a be(Cj7)liever, a be(Em)liever,

Grace of (Cj7)rain, grace of (Em)rain.(Cj7) (Em) (Cj7) (Em)

 

© John Stewart, All Rights Reserved

 

Charlie Woodward, janhauenstein@gmx.de & Art Faller

 

December 2004