Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day Chords & Tabs

 

Casimir Pulaski Day Chords & Tabs

Sufjan Stevens Chords & Tabs

Version: 6 Type: Tab

Casimir Pulaski Day Tab

   
After several listens to this song, I think I’ve got the picking pattern pretty close to how it sounds in the original recording. Pay close attention to the direction of the strumming, especially the upstroke on the second note in measures 2 and 4. Also, mute the 1st string (if necessary) when strumming the C, Am and G chords. 
If you’re having trouble playing it, try the easier version below, which still sounds alright.

CAPO: 1st fret

Main Riff:
  D                C                Am               G
  v   ^ v   ^ v ^  v   ^   v ^ v    v   ^     ^ v ^  v   ^   v ^ v ^
e|----2-2--—3-0-0-|----------------|----------------|----------------|
b|----3-3---3-3-3-|--------1-1-----|----------1-1-1-|--------3-3-3-3-|
g|----2-2---2-2-2-|--------0-0-----|----------2-2-2-|--------0-0-0-0-|
d|0---0-0---0-0-0-|----0h2-2-2-----|----0h2---2-2-2-|--------0-0-0-0-|
a|----------------|3-------3-3-2---|0---------0-0-0-|----0h2-2-2-2-2-|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|3-------3-3-3-3-|
v = Downstroke
^ = Upstroke

(Easier version)
  D                C                Am               G
  v   v ^   ^ v ^  v   v     ^ v    v   v     ^ v ^  v   v     ^ v ^
e|----2-2--—3-0-0-|----------0-----|----------0-0-0-|----------3-3-3-|
b|----3-3---3-0-0-|----------1-----|----------1-1-1-|----------3-3-3-|
g|----2-2---2-0-0-|----------0-----|----------2-2-2-|----------0-0-0-|
d|0---0-0---0-0-0-|----0h2---2-----|----0h2---2-2-2-|----------0-0-0-|
a|----------------|3---------3-2---|0---------0-0-0-|----0h2---2-2-2-|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|3---------3-3-3-|


Intro: Main Riff 2X
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/s/sufjan_stevens/casimir_pulaski_day_tab_ver_6.html ]
(Play main riff throughout entire song)
D                 C
Goldenrod and the 4H stone, 
    Am
the things I brought you, 
       G                 D                 C  Am  G
when I found out you had cancer of the bone 

Your father cried on the telephone, 
and he drove his car into the navy yard, 
just to prove that he was sorry 

In the morning, through the window shade, 
when the light pressed up against your shoulder blade, 
I could see what you were reading.

Oh the glory that the lord has made 
And the complications you could do without 
When I kissed you on the mouth 

Tuesday night at the bible study 
We lift our hands and pray over your body 
But nothing ever happens 

I remember at Michael's house 
In the living room when you kissed my neck 
And I almost touched your blouse 

In the morning at the top of the stairs 
When your father found out what we did that night 
And you told me you were scared 

Oh the glory when you ran outside 
With your shirt tucked in and your shoes untied 
And you told me not to follow you 

Sunday night when I cleaned the house 
I find the card where you wrote it out 
With the pictures of your mother 

On the floor at the great divide 
With my shirt tucked in and my shoes untied 
I am crying in the bathroom 

In the morning when you finally go 
And the nurse runs in with her head hung low 
And the cardinal hits the window 

In the morning in the winter shade 
On the first of March on the holiday 
I thought I saw you breathing 

Oh the glory that the lord has made 
And the complications when I see his face 
In the morning in the window 

Oh the glory when he took our place 
But he took my shoulders and he shook my face 
And he takes and he takes and he takes

Outro (oohs and ahhhs)