Ticket to The Stars

 

Written by John Stewart

 

'Ticket to the Stars' (AKA 'Home from the Stars') is a song most of us love.  There are forces to guide us.  This version is from the outstanding “Punch the Big Guy” CD, published in Europe by Line Records, 1987.  The song makes its first appearance as “Home from the Stars” on the “Secret Tape ´86” Homecoming cassette, re-issued as a double CD with “Secret Tapes II” under the title “Secret Tapes CD”, Neon Dreams, 2002.  This version is also on a compilation CD, combining material from “Secret Tapes ´86 with songs from “Trio Years” (“New Frontier”, NEC 1988).

Both Art and Charlie have seen John play it in the key of D with a capo on the third fret.  That´s also the way we have done it, works with both versions.  Last not least, there´s a live version on “Way Too Much Fun! Live at McCabe´s June & December 99”, Neon Dreams, 2000. 

Art Faller sent his version to Charlie Woodward and me.  It needed very little polishing.

 

  

(A)  (G) (hold)  (A)  (G) (hold)  (A)  (G) (hold)  (A)  (G) (hold)

(Single notes on high E-string: F#-G-F#--A)

(D, quick-changing F# and G bass-notes)

Oh, (D/F#)there is a train,

And it (G)runs by my (A)room,

And it (D/F#)wakes me up in the (G)middle of the night

At the (G/B)arc of the rising (A)moon.

It says "Do you (D/F#)know who you are?

Do you (G)know where you're (A)going?

(D/F#) Will you sur(G)vive, yeah

In the (G/B)fire when the wind is (A)blowing?"

 

Ah, there is a (D/F#)train,

And it (G)runs by my (A)room,

And the (D/F#)train is called re(G)ality,

And it's (G/A)coming way too (A)soon…

(accentuate high notes C#-D-E-D)

 

Oh, way too (Bm)soon for a (F#m)guy

Who is (G)living (A)on the (D)lies,

(G)Looking for the (D)short cuts

And the (G)secrets (E)to sur(A)vive…(G)   (A)

 

And there are (D/F#)forces to guide you,

(G)Spirits be(A)side you,

(D/F#)Rivers to (G)ride you

(A)Home to the (D)stars.

And there are (D/F#)forces to guide you,

(G)Spirits be(A)side you,

(D/F#)Rivers to (G)ride you

(A)Home to the (G)stars

(A)  (G)  (A)  (G)  (A)  (G)  (A)

 

And (D/F#)there is a voice,

(G)Shouting in my (A)head,

And (D/F#)there is a voice

That is (G)singing there in(A)stead,

And there is a (D)choice,

Ah, to (G)which one will I (A)listen?

For the (D/F#)one the road is (G)long and hard,

For the (G/A)other, yeah, the road will (A)glisten.

(Accentuate high notes: C#-D-E-C#-B-A)

 

And (D/F#)not a day goes by

(G)I don't think I'm (A)crazy,

And (D/F#)not a day goes by

When the (G)answers don't seem (A)hazy.

Some(D/F#)times I'm lost and I'm (G)down and out,

But (G/B)then I'm lost and (A)lazy.

But if (D/F#)I were lost in the (G) middle of the light

You (G/A)know it would surely (A)save me.

 

Be (Bm)saved and this (F#m)guy

Who is (G)living (A)on the (D)lies,

(G)Looking for the (D)short cuts

And the (G)secrets (E)to sur(A)vive…(G)  (A)

 

And there are (D/F#)forces to guide you,

(G)Spirits be(A)side you,

(D/F#)Rivers to (G)ride you

(A)Home to the (D)stars.

And there are (D/F#)forces to guide you,

(G)Spirits be(A)side you,

(D/F#)Rivers to (G)ride you

(A)Home to the (G)stars.

(A)  (G)  (A)  (G)  (A)  (G)  (A)

 

And there are (D/F#)forces to guide you,

(G)Spirits be(A)side you,

And (D/F#)rivers to (G)ride you

(A)Home to the (D)stars.

And there are (D/F#)forces to guide you,

And (G)spirits be(A)side you,

(D/F#)Rivers to (G)ride you

(A)Home to the (G)stars.  (A)  (G)  (A)

 

Believing in the (G)stars,  (A)  (G)  (A)

And living in the (G)stars,  (A)  (G)  (A)

And dying in the (G)stars,  (A)  (G)

Ho(A)me to the stars…(G)  (A)

 

Get your ticket to the (G)stars,  (A)

Get your ticket to the (G)stars,  (A)

Get your ticket to the (G)stars,  (A)

Get your ticket to the (G)stars,  (A)

Get your ticket to the (G)stars…(A)

 

© John Stewart, All Rights Reserved

 

Art Faller, Charlie Woodward & janhauenstein@gmx.de

(The trio)