Under Heavy Fire

Written by John Stewart

‘Under Heavy Fire’ is a song I first heard listening to John´s live CD “Way Too Much Fun – Live at McCabe´s June & December 99”, Neon Dreams, 2000. The version below is from that record.

It´s an older song, early 80s, really. There´s a studio version on “Wires From the Bunker”, released in America by Appleseed Recordings and in Europe by Wrasse (both 2000), a fine CD with 18 songs from that time.

I thought I´d write something about the nature of the song, but why should I, when I can quote John instead? From the “Wires” booklet, p. 4, John Stewart Song Notes: Under Heavy Fire : “One of the many songs that came out of pressure to find a new record deal after coming off a big hit like Gold in 1979. It´s a form of hypnotic rockers that I´ve always loved to write.”

Charlie Woodward proved to be a real spoilsport when he sent us his version. We a l w a y s find a little something when we send songs to each other, a bass run, a wrong chord, a missed Major 7. Repeat, a l w a y s. Not so this time. Fie, Charlie, don´t do that again. (grudgingly:) Good job!

Chords used

EX--------------

B------------3--

G---------------

D---------------

A-------2-------

E------------3--

D7 no3

Ex--------------

B------------3--

G------2--------

D---------------

A------------3--

Ex--------------

Bmin +5

Ex--------------

B-------------3-

G---------------

D---------------

A------2--------

Ex--------------

C9 short

Ex---------------

B-------------3--

G----------------

D--------2-------

A-------------3--

Ex---------------

(G) (D) (C) (G) (C)(D)(G)

(G5) (D) (C) (G) (C)(D)(G)

Oh, pretty mama, won't you (D)rock me in the morning

´Cause I'm (C)under heavy (G)fire from the (C)guns a(D)long the (G)way?

Oh, pretty mama, won't you (D)take it as a warning

´Cause I'm (C)under heavy (G)fire from the (C)guns a(D)long the (G)way?

(G5) (D) (C) (G) (C)(D)(G)

Oh, pretty mama, won't you (D)rock me on the wire,

´Cause I'm (C)under heavy (G)fire from the (C)guns a(D)long the (G)way?

And (G5)oh, pretty mama, don't you (D)see it's getting higher

And I'm (C)under heavy (G)fire from the (C)guns a(D)long the (G)way?

And (D)oh, don't they (C)make a wicked (G)sound?

(A)Rock me pretty mama till it (D)all comes down.

And (C9)oh,(Bmin +5) I'm spread-(D)eagled on the (Em)ground,

(A)Rock me, pretty mama, till the wind turns (D)´round. (D7 no 3) (B min +5) (D)

(G5) (D) (C) (G) (C) (D) (G)

And (D)oh, don't they (C)make a wicked (G)sound?

(A)Rock me, pretty mama, till it (D)all comes down.

And (C9)oh,(Bm+5) I'm spread-(D)eagled on the (Em)ground,

(A)Rock me, pretty mama, till the wind turns (D)´round. (D7 no 3) (Bmin +5) (D)

And (G5)oh, pretty mama, won't you (D)rock me in the morning (C) (G)

From the (C)guns a(D)long the (G)way?

And (G5)oh, pretty mama, won't you (D)take it as a warning (C) (G)

From the (C)guns a(D)long the (G)way?

I'm under heavy (D)fire from the (C)guns a(D)long the (G)way,

I'm (G5)under heavy (D)fire from the (C)guns a(D)long the (G)way.

Charlie Woodward, Art Faller & janhauenstein@gmx.de

1/2003