Taking Alcatraz
View chords used in this chart
CAPO: 2nd FRET
Intro: D Dsus4 D Bm A G G D Dsus4 D
Verse:
D Dsus4 D
So Richard Oaks gave me a call
Bm A G
From San Francisco late in the fall
D Dsus4 D
He said it's going down
D
He said we're gonna take the island
Dsus4 D Dsus2 D
As a monument to the smallpox blankets
Bm
And the bureaucrats
A G
All you got to do is come along
G D Dsus4 D
You catch a bus tomorrow
G
And if we die there
D Dsus4 D
Well at least we'll make a choice
G
If we're fine there
A Asus2 A Asus2
We can tell the boys
Chorus:
A
That a line in the sand
G D Dsus4 D
Donâ??t matter you donâ??t care
A G
That a bird in the hand is worthless
D Dsus4 D
You're too scared
Instrumental: D Bm A G G D Dsus4 D
Verse:
D Dsus4 D
So clear my name and clear my throat
Bm A G
Find my voice and here we go again
D Dsus4 D
I need a place to stand
D Dsus2
I hear sirens down the street from the 3rd shift bar
D Bm A
I'm gonna park my car in the painted off place
G
Where the bikers park
D Dsus4 D
See what happens then
G
And if I die here
D Dsus4 D
Well at least I made a choice
G A Asus2 A Asus2
If I'm fine here just please tell the boys
Chorus:
A G
That a line in the sand donâ??t matter
Bm D Dsus4 D Dsus4
You dont care
A G
That a bird in the hand is worthless
Bm D
You're too scared
Verse:
D
My friends keep calling
Dsus2 D
I donâ??t pick up
D
I got nothing to say
Bm A G
That I canâ??t just make up anyway
D Dsus4 D
I've got all this shit to do
D A Asus4
I've turned you off on the radio
D Bm A
I turn around and it's in a TV show
G
I turn that off too
D Dsus4 D
I remember when I knew you
G
And if I'm fine here
D Dsus4 D
Well I made my choice
G
If I die here
A Asus2 A Asus2
Please just tell the boys
Chorus:
A G
That a line in the sand donâ??t matter
Bm D Dsus4 D
You don't care
A G
That a bird in the hand is worthless
Bm D Dsus4 D
You're too scared
OUTRO:
A G
That a line in the sand donâ??t matter
Bm D Dsus4 D
You don't care
A G
That a bird in the hand is worthless
Bm D
You're too scared
How to play Taking Alcatraz
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 D. 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.