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Date: Sun, 23 Nov 1997 21:25:45 PST
From: Darryl Kechnie
Subject: Chords: Tea and Sympathy - by Jars of Clay
Chords: "Tea and Sympathy" - by Jars of Clay
words and music by Dan Haseltine, Mark Hudson, Greg Wells
[ISRC US-ES2-97-00093]
copyright 1997 Bridge Buliding Music/Pogostick Music (BMI), both adm. by
Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., MCA Music Publishing, a div. of
Universal Studios, Inc./Beef Puppet Music (ASCAP)/IRS Music/Greg Wells
Music (BMI). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
As transcribed by: Jamie Ball, and Darryl Kechnie
submitted by: Darryl Kechnie
I know how to play almost every Jars song exactly how they play it, so
feel free to email me. isaiahrain@hotmail.com, IsaiahRain@aol.com
"Tea and Sympathy" - by Jars of Clay
Verse 1:
G G/F Em7 G
Fare thee well, Trade in all our words for tea and sympathy
G/F Em7 Em
Wonder why we tried for things could never be
A7sus* A7 Em D Cadd9 D/G*
Play our hearts lament like an unrehearsed symphony
Verse 2: (same as above)
Not intent, To leave this castle full of empty rooms
Our love the captive in the tower never rescued
And all the victory songs Seemed to be playing out of tune
Chorus:
D Bm* F#m11
'Cause it's not the way That is has to be
G D
Don't trade our love for tea and sympathy, no
Bm* Am7 Em
No, it's not the way That it has to be
Verse 3: (KEY CHANGE)
Asus2 G Dsus/F# Asus2
You begin, All your words fall to the ground and break like china cups
G Dsus/F# F#m11
And the waitress grabs a broom and tries to sweep them up
Bsus* B7sus* F#m11 E D
I reach for my tea, slowly drink in
Chorus: (same as above except for last line)
'Cause it's not the way
That is has to be
Don't trade our love for tea and sympathy, no
Am7
And it's not the way, That is has to be
G A7sus* A7
Don't trade our love for tea and sympathy
musical bridge:
D - Cadd9 - Cadd9/Bb - Cadd9
D - Cadd9 - Cadd9/Bb
Verse 4: (same as V1)
Fare thee well, The words the bagger leaves that fill my head
I could taste the bitterness and call the waitress instead
'Cause she holds the answer, smiles and asks one teaspoon or two
[repeat chorus 2x]
(2nd time, repeat ending to 2nd chorus)
Outro:
D
Don't trade us for tea and sympathy
Cadd9
[echo]
Cadd9/Bb
Don't trade us for tea and sympathy
A7sus A7
We can work it out
D
Don't trade us for tea and sympathy
Cadd9
[echo]
Cadd9/Bb
Don't trade us for tea and sympathy
A7sus A7
We can work out
D/F# - Cadd9 - Cadd9/Bb -
A7sus A7 D
We can work out
The Chords: (EADGBE)
G
(3x0033)
G/F
(1x0033)
Em7
(022033)
Em
(022000)
A7sus*
(x02030)
A7
(x02020)
D
(xx0232)
Cadd9
(x3xo33)
D/G*
(xxx032)
Bm*
(x24430)
F#mll
(x44200)
Bsus*
(x24400)
B7sus*
(x24200)
Cadd9/Bb
(x1x033)
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Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
|
No Picture
Dark Lead Player |
#1 by Dark Avenger at Nov 17, 1972 at 9:20 PM EST |
| has anyone thought of this song talkin about a relationship with god and in this relationship the person has been goin thro a bad time and god mad at god and said some bad things and is tryin to make up? | |
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Jeremy Average |
#2 by Jeremy Rees at Aug 30, 1987 at 5:31 PM EST |
| The "tea" in this song refers to things said between two people who love each other. Some of the words are harsh and misunderstood, and "fall to the floor and break like china cups", whereas some of them are calmly and carefully spoken, "slowly dr[u]nk in". The waitress tries to clean up the broken words, and later offers sugar. They taste the "bitterness" of the words spoken, and the waitress offers sugar to sweeten the "tea" -- meaning they need to "sweeten" the words. This all might sound silly, but they've put a lot of analogies into the song. The waitress represents a kind of common sense -- trying to fix the mistake of using harsh words, and trying to find better words to use. The tea represents the words being spoken, and the bag of leaves represents those not yet said (not yet mixed). | |
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Cocoboi Average |
#3 by Cocoboi Sisouphone at Sep 11, 1988 at 5:04 AM EST |
| doesnt sound that way, i think this is a more people-related song rather than the usual God-related ones jarzzy usually play. :) | |
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No Picture
mark Badass |
#4 by mark at Jun 24, 1991 at 11:03 AM EST |
| Fantastic analysis, marchesa. That's exactly how I see it, and was just about to mention something as it just wasn't being said. And in a lesser detailed sort of way, "don't trade us for tea and sympathy; we can work it out" simply says -- don't leave, (leaving = heartbreak = depression = needing of friends = 'tea and sympathy') we can work it out (thus avoiding the whole mess). But I prefer the more analogy-rich analysis, personally. ;) 1 | |
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john Average |
#5 by john ross at Nov 30, 1991 at 5:56 AM EST |
| Sorry, but I disagree with japhy on a few of the major points. The repetative lyric "don't trade our love for tea and sympathy" tells me that instead of working out problems with her significant other, the woman the song is addressed to is seeking consolation and sypathy from third parties, like family, friends, and perhaps even the waitress (all symbolized by the tea). | |
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No Picture
Kyle Rhythm Player |
#6 by Kyle Robinson at Jun 17, 1993 at 5:57 PM EST |
| way to go japhy, i understand it so much better. thanks! | |
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No Picture
That cool mate Average |
#7 by That cool mate named Juan Carlos at Sep 26, 1995 at 9:52 AM EST |
| Reminds me of a good friend. (8(') | |
|
No Picture
† The Jester † Average |
#8 by † The Jester † at Dec 15, 1995 at 10:40 PM EST |
| i have to disagree because in england, the term for "tea and sympathy" usually refers to a casual act between friends or family to those that need mere company during a time of trial or sadness... tea and sympathy refers to that time spent together, a casual get-to-gether when one is giving sympathy to the one who is heartbroken. this song is staged at a place exactly where you might go for tea and sympathy- a restaurant, and the waitress is someone who's very experienced with other people walking in doing just that- having casual conversation with one person giving sympathy while the other is heartbroken. what the singer is trying to suggest is that he doesn't want their love to grow into the type of relationship where they only meet to talk of trivial things, conversations where the girl speaks of meaningless things- that's why her words fall to the floor like china cups...there's just no substance in them and they're love has faded into some friendship with casual conversation... it's like when you break up with someone you really love, and afterwards, your relationship sometimes ends up being bland, "bitter", and all the things you've said in the past, all the dreams and "castles" you've planned were left unattained. in the end, he's pleading to save their love...their relationship, for something more passionate and real than just bland casual friendship with empty words and sympathetic gestures. he reassures her "we can work it out" meaning to continue their romantic relationship and not trading it in for some 'hey, how you doing these days' type relationships... | |
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No Picture
Samer Average |
#9 by Samer Zouein at Mar 17, 1996 at 1:09 PM EST |
| this song is about miscommunication and how it kills true love, what we could have have. And tea and sympathy symbolizes how when we are depressed or heartbroken or sick, tea is supposed to be like a remedy and of course you get sympathy from your friends and people. | |
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No Picture
Chris Rhythm Player |
#10 by Chris Marcoux at Jan 13, 2001 at 10:54 PM EST |
| now i understand. Ü | |
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Cian Average |
#11 by Cian Ormond at Apr 7, 2001 at 7:28 PM EST |
| Reminds me of a good friend. (8(') | |
|
No Picture
pharaoh shane Rhythm Player |
#12 by pharaoh shane at Nov 18, 2001 at 7:29 PM EST |
| has anyone thought of this song talkin about a relationship with god and in this relationship the person has been goin thro a bad time and god mad at god and said some bad things and is tryin to make up? | |
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No Picture
KETcH Average |
#13 by KETcH UP at Apr 30, 2003 at 1:16 AM EST |
| whoa, japhy. Right on. How on earth did you know all that?? | |
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Kay Wanna Be |
#14 by Kay Grøtbekklien at Sep 25, 2005 at 12:25 PM EST |
| ok you guys, this is a tough one. i have no clue on this one, i've known this song forever, but i've never figured it out. so please help me out! | |
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