heres the intro to the song which is on a ukelele but it sounds alot cooler like this.
it's just C, Em, Am over b, and then B.it's another way to play it for tabs it's:
----0----------0------------0-------------3----------------------------|
---1--1------0---0--------1---0---------3---3--------------------------|
--0----0---0-------0----2-------0-----0-------0------------------------|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
3--------2------------0-------------2----------------------------------|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
C Em Am/b B
YOu just repeat these two cords to complete the second guitar part in the intro also
have fun
Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
|
No Picture
Tom Average |
#1 by Tom Ott at Sep 27, 2007 at 4:26 AM EST |
| "the wisdoms in the trees not the glass windows" ^^i love that line! i think jacks saying we should all take time to stop and just smell the roses...and not get too caught up on moving so fast and just going thru the motions..we should take time to experience life..and just "put the moment on hold"..it seems like a lot of jacks songs are about slowing down life.. | |
|
No Picture
nick Average |
#2 by nick coffeen at Sep 27, 2007 at 6:38 PM EST |
| "the wisdom's in the trees, not the glass windows." You can't expierience life if your only looking at it from a distance, you have to get off the train and expierience it for yourself. | |
|
No Picture
cody Average |
#3 by cody jay at Sep 27, 2007 at 11:00 PM EST |
| this song is so relaxing its awesome | |
|
No Picture
ruthuger Average |
#4 by ruthuger nixon at Sep 28, 2007 at 3:34 PM EST |
| ""the wisdoms in the trees not the glass windows" ^^i love that line! i think jacks saying we should all take time to stop and just smell the roses...and not get too caught up on moving so fast and just going thru the motions..we should take time to experience life..and just "put the moment on hold"..it seems like a lot of jacks songs are about slowing down life.. " -BeachBumHippie You, sir, win. This is certainly the deeper thematic message the song emotes. "in his thicker than water dvd jack tells that they were on a train, i dont remember if it was to a gig or to a new sport to surf, and they passed by this really cool, small looking town in the country. he wrote this song on the train wishing it would break down and they could explore that interesting town and take a break from the work." -hank wisner Yes, I saw this, too. You can definitely gather that this was the inspiration from the lyrics, as well. And I shall reiterate, the most important line in the song, as many before have mentioned prior. "The wisdom's in the trees, not the glass windows." This line is much more important than I first thought it was. It should be a mantra for Western life...a balancing mantra--a metaphorical yin to our culture's yang. The wisdom does lie within nature; not what human's have built, culturally or substantively. We have always been inspired by it, not the other way around. We must celebrate what we have by experiencing it: the use of the cliche of stopping and smelling the roses is absolutely perfect here. Because it is the inspiration and the provider for our lives, we must protect and celebrate it...and look to it for further inspiration. The Gaia mechanism has not stopped persisting since recorded history and civilized society began. It continues to be thrown out of its natural state of balance by this energy that we exude. We have to slow down our own lives to give it a chance to reclaim its natural state of balance...to filter out the toxins and waste we have left behind. If we do, the Earth shall reward us 10 fold for our efforts. More directly to what he speaks to in the song, society will benefit, as well, from this model. Having knowledge and technology is much different than having cultural wisdom. We are still a young country (USA), and we have much to learn. In my humble opinion, life is not about grinding yourself into the ground the fastest. Rather, it's as much about experiencing, celebrating, and protecting the provided resources as it is about transforming them in a progressive manner. Some words to chew on... 1 2 Next | |
|
No Picture
rikiscorner Average |
#5 by rikiscorner at Sep 29, 2007 at 11:53 AM EST |
| Great tune from the new disk...this song is just about stopping and looking around to enjoy your surroundings and enjoying the moment. We are on the "train" of life and everything is just passing us by, so sometimes we need to just stop and take a look around. | |
|
No Picture
Jaime Lead Player |
#6 by Jaime Rosenberg at Sep 30, 2007 at 1:22 AM EST |
| every song can be about a relationship, i just hope that one day, people will understand a widescape of lyrics to finally be able to stop referring everything to a damned break-up gone sad. grr. pretty much, jack is says the same thing in most of songs. if you all haven't noticed, he's a very nature- driven man. he says things from his heart, he doesn't try to create something that isn't there. all of his songs are simple and precise while eloquent just the same. he wants to be free and happy and he wants to be able to appreciate whats around him. in one way or another, he says that/intends that. ps. doesnt anyone thing beaches and mj when they hear his songs? | |
|
No Picture
ryan Lead Player |
#7 by ryan harney at Sep 30, 2007 at 11:13 AM EST |
| You seem pretty intelligent, Spellchamp. Your user name is pretty ironic, seeing as how you mispelled a fourth of the words in your comment. Great song. I also think that it can be interpreted to be about a relationship that has you locked down. | |
|
No Picture
PUNX UNITE Average |
#8 by PUNX UNITE at Sep 30, 2007 at 6:02 PM EST |
| actually, in an interview jack says its about just what it sounds like, he wrote it on a train on his way from one gig to another, and just wanted the train to break down so they would miss the next show and he could just get a break... and you can tell from listening to any other song by jack that the furthest thing from this songs meaning is wanting to leave his wife... i'm sorry, i just wouldnt want people to think that is the meaning of this song, for jacks sake anyway | |
|
No Picture
nathan Average |
#9 by nathan rhodes at Oct 1, 2007 at 2:14 AM EST |
| For it's it's just about stopping every now and then to smell the roses, and just enjoy what you have in life. I know this song was a lot more literal for Jack, because he was on a train in France, and just wanted to have look around. I love the idea of just egtting a chance to have everything stop for a moment, letting you relax and enjoy what's going on around you. | |
|
No Picture
Sir Average |
#10 by Sir Taco at Oct 1, 2007 at 3:21 AM EST |
| I first heard this song on the Handsome Boy Modeling School CD and loved it there, and when i heard it on this CD with the guitar and the ukulele just made me even more excited about Jack Johnson. I agree with everyone else that this song is about taking the time to slow down and take a look around because it will be gone soon. | |
|
No Picture
matt Wanna Be |
#11 by matt sims at Oct 1, 2007 at 11:37 PM EST |
| okay... so the person who added this song doesnt know the lyrics very well. here they are for real: I hope this old train breaks down Then I could take a walk around See what there is to see Time is just a melody With all the people in the street Walking as fast as their feet can take them I just roll through town And though my window's got a view Well the frame I'm looking through Seems to have no concern for now so for now I I need this here old train to breakdown Oh please just let me please breakdown Well this engine screams out loud Centipede gonna crawl westbound So I don't even make a sound Because it's gonna sting me when I leave this town And all the people in the street That I'll never meet If these trakcs don't bend somehow And I got no time that I got to get To where I don't need to be so I I need this here old train to breakdown Oh please just let me please breadown I want to break on down But I cant stop now Let me break on down But you can't stop nothing if you got no control Of the thoughts in your mind that you kept and you know That you don't know nothing but you don't need to know The wisdom's in the trees not the glass windows You can't stop wishing if you don't let fo Of the things that you find and you lose and you know You keep on rolling, put the moment on hold Because the frame's too bright, put the blinds down low I need this here old train to breakdown Oh please just let me please breakdown I got to break on down But I can't stop now | |
|
No Picture
Ryan Sutherland Rhythm Player |
#12 by Ryan Sutherland at Oct 2, 2007 at 1:35 AM EST |
| If you've seen his recent DVD he explains the meaning of the song. While touring in Europe they were on a train to their next show which was a back-to-back one. Jack said the scenary was so beautiful and everything looked so amazing that he just wished the train would breakdown so he could stop and just walk around. He was tired of touring and wanted to just be able to do that. | |
|
No Picture
Remi Average |
#13 by Remi Frenette at Oct 2, 2007 at 3:15 AM EST |
| Seriously. You have to be stretching it to think this is about a relationship. Not every song has to be about a breakup. The guy is literally saying he is on a train.. probably headed somewhere for business.. and since he appreciates the fact that life isn't just about making money and being busy (The wisdom is in the trees) he is hoping for the train to break down so he could get off and walk around and see various things. Experience life. | |
|
No Picture
Brandon Average |
#14 by Brandon Pennick at Oct 2, 2007 at 5:09 AM EST |
| in his thicker than water dvd jack tells that they were on a train, i dont remember if it was to a gig or to a new sport to surf, and they passed by this really cool, small looking town in the country. he wrote this song on the train wishing it would break down and they could explore that interesting town and take a break from the work. | |
|
No Picture
♥Safety P Wanna Be |
#15 by ♥Safety Pin=Safety First♥ at Oct 2, 2007 at 10:28 AM EST |
| This is probably my favorite song by Jack Johnson. I love it. :] | |
|
No Picture
Nathan Average |
#16 by Nathan Delvecchio at Oct 2, 2007 at 11:50 AM EST |
| I agree with snarkfeathers it doesn't really matter what he intended it to mean, not in this situation atleast. It is alot more about what a person gets from the song in themselves. Why do you think it asks "what does this song mean to you?" above your comment box. I love LETIGREBABE151 interpreation of what the song is about. I know that Jack has said that it isn't, and many have been quick to jump to his defence in his love for his wife (which I thought was really sweet) but people forget that you don't have to write just about experiences in your own life, some people write about other peoples lives. Plus it could have been a previous reletionship he was talking about anyway. I love what Jack says it is really about too, that he is honest, and doesn't try to sound like "oh yeah I love this, I never get tired, I never just wish for a break" it makes him seem more human, if you get what I mean. I guess, I like to think it can be about all the different things people have said they connected with it, it is about what ever you want it to be about, when it comes down to it, I think that is what music is really about. | |
|
No Picture
Tim Rhythm Player |
#17 by Tim Sears at Oct 2, 2007 at 3:21 PM EST |
| yep jack_is_love is right... its on his dvd | |
|
No Picture
George Average |
#18 by George Player at Oct 3, 2007 at 12:03 AM EST |
| BEST SONG! both with handsome boy and by himself. In Between Dreams in my opinion is a great cd. It blends a little too much but every few songs there is a fresh sound and its just beautiful. I think that this song is amazing and shouldve been his single along with sitting,waiting,wishing. Better Together should have also. | |
|
No Picture
Sam Wanna Be |
#19 by Sam Payne at Oct 3, 2007 at 6:20 AM EST |
| How humble of Jack! A guy as famous and successful as he is, to use the train between gigs instead of a private tour bus or - even worse - a private jet. Gotta admire that. | |
|
No Picture
caleb Wanna Be |
#20 by caleb at Oct 4, 2007 at 2:27 AM EST |
| WOW, LETIGREBABE151, i love your interpretation! i don't know if it's what jack meant but who cares! I think if i were a great artist like jack i would understand that people are going to draw their own interpretations and i would just hope that everyone could get something meaningful and useful out of a song instead of wanting to force my exact meaning on everybody! The point is, if it means something to you, and if it helps you, then that is more important than what the artist originally wrote it about...and i thing the great artists would agree that they would rather keep their personal lives personal and let fans find their own meanings! | |
|
No Picture
Mark Average |
#21 by Mark Neishtadt at Oct 4, 2007 at 6:22 AM EST |
| The way Jack Johnson sings it just makes me realize how quickly life spins out of control...and by the time you realize you're going too fast, all you can do is beg for something to go wrong and force it all to come to a halt, hence the chorus: "I need this old train to breakdown"... | |
|
No Picture
Jake Wanna Be |
#22 by Jake Fugate at Oct 4, 2007 at 7:50 AM EST |
| this is kinda how life goes, people never stop and take a look around at whats around them, this is jack trying to get people to realize that they have to live in the present | |
|
No Picture
Rens Wanna Be |
#23 by Rens van den Braak at Oct 4, 2007 at 1:21 PM EST |
| All is good when you listen to this song. I don't agree with the comment that was previously made about this song being about a relationship, It's about a guy who obviously appreciates the good times in life. He's on a train and just wants it to stop so he can explore and adventure. This is just how I am, I just wish people could just chill and not be so stressed. take some time and smell the flower once in a while. | |
|
No Picture
TK Average |
#24 by TK at Oct 6, 2007 at 10:53 PM EST |
| I find a totaly different meaning to this and even though i know that it is prolly about what Nonsterp says it is about my idea could still kinda work bere with me here....ok i think it is about a relationshit that hes in and he loves the person he with but for some reason or another the relationship needs to end like in the part where it says "i hope this old train breaks down then i could take a walk around and see what there is to see " he could be saying i want to take a break and see whos out there cuz we have been together so long...then "and though my windows got a view well the frame i'm looking through seems to have no concern for me now" he could be saying that his window has a view of so many other girls that are beautiful and that he could have but he chooses to only look at the girl hes with but sadly she doesnt see him in the same way anymore and its like shes lost intrest in their relationship..so he says i need this old train (relationshipt) to break down and hes says "please" just let me break down because he does love the person and if it does end the please is supposed to signify that he wants out on good terms as friends so that there is always a way back in..."this engine screams out loud saying the beat gonna crawl westbound so i don't even make a sound cause it's gunna sting me" this part the engine screams out loud could be that the relationship is a reck and everyone can see it even him but he loves the girl so much he knows if he ends it he will end up hurt so he doesnt want it to end as much as he knows it needs too..."and all the people in the street that i'll never get to meet if these tracks don't bend somehow " here hes saying hes been with her so long that they have never had a chance to meet anyone else and he thinks they should "bend the tracks" (explore) new people to see if he and his girl are really what eachother want in a person.. and the whole last vers does it for me "but you can't stop nothing if you got no control of the thoughts in your mind that you kept in," becuase even though hes asking for the relationship to break down hes saying he cant make it happen on his onwn cuz he doesnt have that kind of control cuz all the thoughts in his mind are telling him not only that it needs to end but how much he loves his girl..."you can't stop wishing if you don't let go but things that you find and you lose, and you know you keep on rolling" see here he cant stop wishing for the relationship to get better if he cant find the things that they had in the begining that made it so strong and he knows this but he keeps looking and keeps "rolling" on in the relationship any ways.."put the moment on hold the frames too bright so put the blinds down low" then when they find a great moment in the relationship when they are both so in love with eachother and happy he holds on to that moment as a reason not to get out of the bad relationship untill the thought of leaving is just to hard "the frames too bright" so he "pulls the blinds down" and ignores their problems which just puts him right back where he started...wishing for it all to end..thats just what i got from it but im really weird and it could be cuz i was kind of going through this kind of situation myslef and i'm stilll pulling my blinds down? | |
|
No Picture
inaki Wanna Be |
#25 by inaki laris at Oct 6, 2007 at 11:11 PM EST |
| ya u retards how cud it be about a relationship or a deep metaphorical meaning of life????? u hear sum of his udder songs HE SAYS WOT HE MEANS!!!!!!!!!!!!...fucking asswipes | |
Top 7 Jack Johnson Guitar Tabs
Popular Guitar Tabs