Hotel Can't Afford Ya
View chords used in this chart
Hotel Can’t Afford Ya by Apologetix
Bm F#
From a dark desert highway, we pulled into the inn
A E
Rome called for a census, I was from Bethlehem
G D
Up above from a distance a star was giving me light
Em
My wife was heavy ‘cause her child was due
F#
We had to stop for the night
Bm F#
So I stood in the doorway of Bethlehem hotel
A E
And I was thinking to myself "I hope to heaven they'll give me some help"
G D
But they told us no-can-do and they sent me away
Em F#
"There's a place around the corner though where you both can stay"
G D
Welcome, but the hotel can't afford ya
Em Bm
Such a lovely place but we're out of space
G D
Ran out of room and the hotel can't afford ya
E F#
It's the time of year with the census here
Bm F#
My wife was definitely gifted, that's what the Lord's angel said
A E
She was about to have a baby boy while still virgin
G D
Spent the night in the barnyard, cheap slumlord's rent
Em F#
Some night to remember, some night to forget
Bm F#
So because of what happened I was grieving for my wife
A
E
I said "They probably haven't cleaned in here since B.C. 65"
G D
Animal voices were calling for straw and hay
Em F#
Keeping you up through the middle of the night just as if to say…
G D
Welcome, but the hotel can't afford ya
Em Bm
Such a lovely place, but we're out of space
G D
Holiday rush and the hotel can't afford ya
Em F#
What a nice surprise for your silent night
(Play next verse quieter)
Bm F#
He was born that evening and shepherds came that night
A E
And they said "We're all just visitors here of the Holy Christ"
G D
And in an donkey’s manger, they found the boy asleep
Em F#
They started getting teary eyed so they went back to their sheep
Bm F#
Last thing I remember there were wise men at the door
A E
They had a bunch of packages from the place they were before
G D
"We're late," said the wise men "We had problems Christmas Eve
Em F#
We've been checking out your shiny light all through the Middle East"
Tabbed by Brian Mehlman
How to play Hotel Can't Afford Ya
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is Bm. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.