THE DEAD MILKMEN
If I Had A Gun

from Soul Rotation

Tabbed by: Ben Gladdle (moose9377@hotmail.com)


Pretty easy, but one of my favourite tunes from Soul Rotation.
And I've even done the solos (ok, there's only one really, they're
both the same) for you! How nice am I?


Verse:
-----

Short sharp chords (don't let ring... staccato if that means
anything to you) on the off beat. Like so... Bass is shown as
the single notes.
     Bm              G       Bm
E----2---2---2---2---3---3---2---2--
B----3---3---3---3---3---3---3---3--
G----4---4---4---4---4---4---4---4--
D----4---4---4---4---5---5---4---4--
A--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2---5---5-2-2-2-2--
E------------------3-3-3-3----------

Pretty easy to get the hang of really, just listen to the record.
BTW, the intro is just the same rhythm etc, but just with Bm.


Chorus:
------

G                      Bm
If I ..........  had a gun
G          Bm
If I had a gun
D        G             D
If I ..........  had a gun
G          D
If I had a gun
G          Bm
If I had a gun

There's some different strumming here, but again, just listen along and
it should be pretty easy to follow. However, if you still need help, mail
me.


Solo:
----

OK. There are two solos, one that starts at 1:11, and another at the end
of the song which starts at 2:07. However, they are note-for-note the same,
so here we go... For all the pull-offs at the start, I guess you could just
hammer back on to the 7, but it sounds better if you start each one with a
distinct picked note. The chords above the tab are what should be played in
the background (if you've got another guitarist).

   Bm                               G       Bm
B-------------------------------------------------
G--7p6-7p6-7p6-7p6-7p6-7p6-7p6-7p6--7--6----------
D-----------------------------------------9-9-----

   Bm                               G       D
B-------------------------------------------7---
G--7p6-7p6-7p6-7p6-7p6-7p6-7p6-7p6--7--6--------
D-----------------------------------------9-----

   G     Bm    G       Bm    G       Bm   G            A
B--8-7---7-------------7-------------7-------------|------  Last bit
G------9---7---7-9-7-6---7---7-9-7-6----7-6--4-----|------  only on 1st
D----------------------------------------------5---|-/-7--  time through

The solos do end differently, though. On the 1st time through,
end it as shown above. Second time round, end it (and the song)
with a single Bm chord.

Lyrics and song structure follow below, if you need it.


Lyrics:
------

verse:
Would I be amused?
Would you be impressed?
If I had the power
To put a hole into your chest?
When the kids are crying
And the welfare check's been spen
Would I rob a liquor store
To get some money for the rent?

chorus:
If I had a gun?  (x5)

verse:
Would I start smoking Marlboros?
Would I stop smoking Kents?
Would I gain some new respect?
Would I gain some confidence?
Would I suddenly go crazy
And shoot my family
And see myself years later
On some crime show on TV

chorus:
If I had a gun?  (x5)

solo:

verse:
Would I wear it in a holster?
Would I keep it concealed?
Would I put it on the table
Everytime that I'm misdealed?
When I hear a nearby gunshot
When I'm up at night alone
Would I feel a little safer
Here in my urban home

chorus:
If I had a gun?  (x5)

solo:

End on Bm.


From the Dead Milkmen Guitar Tab Project
http://dmtabs.deadmilkmen.com/