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Request: Southern Cross by Stephen Stills

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(@bojomofrow)
Active Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 3
Topic starter  

Much of the internet shows an A G D progession for this song. It is probably right if I could figure out the strumming. At the end of most lines, there is a change in pitch I cannot seem to work out. Any thoughts?


   
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(@deaconblues)
New Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 4
 

On the C chord at the end of each line - hammer on the A string (0h2), then hit the open G string and strum the chord once more.

The strumming pattern (while singing) is the hardest part of this song - I've been trying to get it for 6 months.

Good luck


   
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(@deaconblues)
New Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 4
 

Should have mentioned I play this in C (GCF progression)

DeaconBlues


   
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(@jonnyt)
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Joined: 22 years ago
Posts: 336
 

Tabbed by me from the original recording in the original key. Sometimes I like to mute the strings inbetween strums if there's no vocal line.


SOUTHERN CROSS – Steven Stills (from the Crosby, Still & Nash
(Key of D) album “Daylight Again” - 1982)

INTRO 2X: | A ' G ' D ' ' A | (all down strokes except final D)

VERSE 1: (follow the intro pattern except at the end of lines 6 & 8)
A G D A
GOT OUT OF TOWN, ON A BOAT, GOING TO SOUTHERN ISLANDS
A G D A
SAILING A REACH, BE-FORE A FOLLOWING SEA
A G D A
SHE WAS MAKIN' FOR THE TRADES, ON THE OUTSIDE
A G D A
AND THE DOWNHILL RUN, TO PAPEETE BAY (* = single strum)
A G D A
OFF THE WIND, ON THIS HEADING LIE_ THE MARQUESAS
A G D* G* A* (let ring)
WE GOT EIGHTY FEET OF WATERLINE, NICELY MAKING WAY
A G D A
IN A NOISY BAR IN AVALON, I TRIED TO CALL YOU
A G D* G* A
BUT ON A MIDNIGHT WATCH I REALIZED, WHY TWICE YOU RAN A-WAY

CHORUS: (“THINK ABOUT”)
G D G A G
THINK ABOUT HOW MANY TIMES, I HAVE FA-ALLEN
D G A G
SPIRITS ARE USING ME, LARGER VOICES CA-ALLEN'
D G A
WHAT HEAVEN BROUGHT YOU AND ME, CANNOT BE FORGOT__OTTEN
(I HAVE BEEN AROUND THE WORLD)
D G A
I HAVE BEEN ARO___OUND_ THE WORLD (LOOKING)
D G A
LOOKING FOR THAT WOMAN-GIRL (WHO KNOWS SHE KNOWS)
D G A ' '' mute NC INTRO RIFF 2X
WHO KNOWS LOVE CAN ENDURE, AND YOU KNOW IT WILL

VERSE 2: (follow the intro pattern except at the end of lines 6 & 8)
A G D A
WHEN YOU SEE THE SOUTHERN CROSS FOR THE FIRST TIME
A G D A
YOU UNDERSTAND NOW WHY YOU CAME THIS WAY (* = single strum)
A G D A
'CAUSE THE TRUTH YOU MIGHT BE RUNNING FROM IS SO SMALL
A G D* G* A ' '' mute
BUT IT'S AS BIG AS THE PROMISE, THE PROMISE OF A COMIN' DAY
NC A G D A
SO I'M SAILING FOR TOMORROW, MY DREAMS ARE A DYING
A G D* G* A* mute
AND MY LOVE IS AN ANCHOR TIED TO YOU, TIED WITH A SILVER CHAIN
NC A G D A
I HAVE MY SHIP, AND ALL HER FLAGS ARE A FLYIN'
A G D* G* A
SHE IS ALL THAT I HAVE LEFT, AND MUSIC IS HER NAME

CHORUS: (“THINK ABOUT”)
G D G A G
THINK ABOUT HOW MANY TIMES, I HAVE FA-ALLEN
D G A G
SPIRITS ARE USING ME, LARGER VOICES CA-ALLEN'
D G A
WHAT HEAVEN BROUGHT YOU AND ME, CANNOT BE FORGOT__OTTEN
(I HAVE BEEN AROUND THE WORLD)
D G A
I HAVE BEEN ARO___OUND_ THE WORLD (LOOKING)
D G A
LOOKING FOR THAT WOMAN-GIRL (WHO KNOWS SHE KNOWS)
D G A ' '' mute NC INTRO RIFF 1X
WHO KNOWS LOVE CAN ENDURE, AND YOU KNOW IT WILL
INTRO RIFF 1X
AND YOU KNOW__ IT WILL

SOLO CHORD PROGRESSION: INTRO RIFF 2X

VERSE 3: (follow the intro pattern / * = single strum)
A G D A
SO WE CHEATED AND WE LIED, AND WE TESTED
A G D A
AND WE NEVER FAILED TO FAIL, IT WAS THE EASIEST THING TO DO
A G D A
YOU WILL SUR-VIVE, BEING BESTED
A G D* G* A*
SOMEBODY FINE, WILL COME ALONG MAKE ME FOR-GET ABOUT LOVING YOU

OUTTRO: NC INTRO RIFF 2X
AT THE SOUTHERN CROSS

E doesn't = MC2, E = Fb

Music "Theory"? "It's not just a theory, it's the way it is!"

Jonny T.


   
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(@anonymous)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 8184
 

Well Done Jonny,
I am looking forward to giving this one a go.


   
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(@boudreau)
Eminent Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 22
 

Thanks for the tab on this one. I love the song but never gave it any thought to playing until I saw this post. Great job.

Denis


   
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(@bojomofrow)
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Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 3
Topic starter  

Hey guys thanks for all of your input. Johnny, what is your take on the pitch change at the end of a line?


   
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(@jonnyt)
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Joined: 22 years ago
Posts: 336
 

I'm not sure what you mean when you say "pitch change" and at the end of what line?

There are some single strums as indicated by the "*" but the song stays in the same key throughout. I tabbed this out myself using Transkriber software and the original recording from the "Daylight Again" album. Every song has it's own little nuances, and if I can capture that then I will perform it that way making it sound more like the original. But I've also been known to make changes for any number of reasons... but did not do that here with "Southern Cross".

Ask me again in a different and more detailed way and maybe I can answer your question.

Thanks for your interest.

E doesn't = MC2, E = Fb

Music "Theory"? "It's not just a theory, it's the way it is!"

Jonny T.


   
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(@bojomofrow)
Active Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 3
Topic starter  

I too am listening to the Daylight Again album. At the end of many lines (the intro for example) there are four beats strummed in succession.

The first is D, the last is A. It sounds like most of the time the third beat is muted, but right after the D the pitch drops. It is very distinct and completes the hook. Any ideas as to what is going on there? Or am I just hearing things (I'm not counting this theory out just yet)?


   
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(@jonnyt)
Reputable Member
Joined: 22 years ago
Posts: 336
 

In the intro I hear some vocal backing and congas.

At the end of some of the verse and chorus lines I hear fills... sometimes keyboards, sometimes electic guitar, sometimes acoustic guitar.

But it's hard to hold that A chord and let it ring and play a fill at the same time, if you are playing solo. Now if you have somebody else, then something in the Key of D could be played.

I might go back and look into is somemore, but it won't be this week.

Good luck to ya!

E doesn't = MC2, E = Fb

Music "Theory"? "It's not just a theory, it's the way it is!"

Jonny T.


   
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 shug
(@shug)
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Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 168
 

Great song! I also play the A-G-D-A progression. I too have struggled with the ending of the lines. Sometimes, I just opt to replace the D strum with a D(downstroke)-Dsus2(upstoke)-D ,(downstroke)strum followed immediatey by the A. It's not exactly like the album either, but it's easy (just lift and replace middle finger) and it gives a little flavor to the song. Also, usually I end the song on an A7 (x02020) chord just to give it a little edge.

"Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."


   
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