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Transit

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Eminor

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Richard Shindell - Transit
[Intro]
B
[Verse 1]
B7The merge from the turnpike was murder, but it's never a cinch
It was Friday at five, and no one was giving an Cinch
They squeezed and they edged and they Dglared
CHalf of them clearly imDpaired by Crage or exhaustion
The rest were just touchy as B7hell
[Verse 2]
B7Somewhere near Paterson everything slowed to a crawl
The all-news station was thanking someone for the Ccall
It's a van from St. Agnes' cDhoir
There's a Cnun out there changing a tDire
By the Ctime they got by her, tempers were out of controB7l
[Verse 3]
AmSo they all hit the gas in a dash for position
CBobbing and weaving and flashing their high-beams
EmFlipping the bird and screaming obscenities
A Cwell-insured hoard, hell-bent on SaturdayB7  
[Verse 4]
B7And so they continued, west-bound and into the sun
Law and decorum constraining nary a Cone
By then it was devil-may-caDre
Not a Cone even vaguely awDare
That they had Ccome all the way to the Delaware Water GB7ap
[Verse 5]
AmBut how had it happened? They had all missed their exits
CHow had it happened? Was it some kind of vortex?
And Emin they all went, bumper to bumper
CFaster and faster, no sign of a trooper
And Gin they all went, like sheep to the slaughter
DBankers and carpenters and doctors and lawyers
And Emin they all went, families in minivans
CReagan Republicans, weekend militiamen
They Gfollowed the river, and rounded the bend
Between DMinsi and Tammany and into their destiny
EmLying in ambush, right there before them
The Cangry old sun right on the horizB7on
[Verse 6]
Sister Maria tightened the bolts of the spare
She said a quick prayer and put the old van into Cgear
Thank god that the traffic was liDght
If she Churried she might not be Dlate
For that Cevening's performance at the state penitentiaB7ry
[Verse 7]
AmShe entered the common room and there was her choir
CAltos and baritones, basses and tenors
EmCar thieves and crack dealers, mobsters and murderers
CHusbands and sons, fathers and brothers
And Gso it began in glorious harmony
DSoftly and tenderly calling for you and me
EmThe interstate crying way off in the distance
And the Csun going down through the bars of the prison
They Gpoured out their souls, they poured out their memories
DThey poured out their hopes for what's left of eternity
To Emsister Maria, her soul like a prism
CFor the light of forgiveness on all of their faces
[Outro]
B7

All chords in this song (7)

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Transit

by Richard Shindell

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Richard Shindell - Transit

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

The merge from the turnpike was murder, but it's never a cinch

It was Friday at five, and no one was giving an inch

They squeezed and they edged and they glared

C D C

Half of them clearly impaired by rage or exhaustion

The rest were just touchy as hell

[Verse 2]

Somewhere near Paterson everything slowed to a crawl

The all-news station was thanking someone for the call

It's a van from St. Agnes' choir

C D

There's a nun out there changing a tire

C B7

By the time they got by her, tempers were out of control

[Verse 3]

So they all hit the gas in a dash for position

Bobbing and weaving and flashing their high-beams

Flipping the bird and screaming obscenities

C B7

A well-insured hoard, hell-bent on Saturday

[Verse 4]

And so they continued, west-bound and into the sun

Law and decorum constraining nary a one

By then it was devil-may-care

C D

Not a one even vaguely aware

C B7

That they had come all the way to the Delaware Water Gap

[Verse 5]

But how had it happened? They had all missed their exits

How had it happened? Was it some kind of vortex?

And in they all went, bumper to bumper

Faster and faster, no sign of a trooper

And in they all went, like sheep to the slaughter

Bankers and carpenters and doctors and lawyers

And in they all went, families in minivans

Reagan Republicans, weekend militiamen

They followed the river, and rounded the bend

Between Minsi and Tammany and into their destiny

Lying in ambush, right there before them

C B7

The angry old sun right on the horizon

[Verse 6]

Sister Maria tightened the bolts of the spare

She said a quick prayer and put the old van into gear

Thank god that the traffic was light

C D

If she hurried she might not be late

C B7

For that evening's performance at the state penitentiary

[Verse 7]

She entered the common room and there was her choir

Altos and baritones, basses and tenors

Car thieves and crack dealers, mobsters and murderers

Husbands and sons, fathers and brothers

And so it began in glorious harmony

Softly and tenderly calling for you and me

The interstate crying way off in the distance

And the sun going down through the bars of the prison

They poured out their souls, they poured out their memories

They poured out their hopes for what's left of eternity

To sister Maria, her soul like a prism

For the light of forgiveness on all of their faces

[Outro]

About Transit Chords by Richard Shindell

Learn how to play Transit by Richard Shindell with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Transit chords”, “Transit guitar chords”, or “Richard Shindell Transit chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Transit chords and for experienced players who want accurate Transit lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include B, B7, C, D, Am, Em.

FAQ — Transit by Richard Shindell

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What key is "Transit" in?

The chords for "Transit" show the original chord names (including B, B7, C, D, Am, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.