Ben Gibbard - This Place Is A Prison

from ben gibbard’s live performance of the song he wrote for the postal service .

chords : Em G D C Dsus4
– – – x – – – – x – – – – x – – – – x – – – – x – – – |
– – – 0 – – – – 3 – – – – 3 – – – – 1 – – – – 3 – – – |
– – – 0 – – – – 0 – – – – 2 – – – – 0 – – – – 0 – – – |
– – – 2 – – – – 0 – – – – 0 – – – – 2 – – – – 4 – – – |
– – – 2 – – – – 2 – – – – 0 – – – – 3 – – – – 5 – – – |
– – – 0 – – – – 3 – – – – x – – – – 3 – – – – 5 – – – |

near the end he walks from C to em; to do this , incorporate picking the low C note
[ a string , 3rd fret ] , to the B right under it [ a string , 2nd fret ] , and then G
[ low E string , 3rd fret ] into your strumming , followed by Em , with a strong accent
on the open E . it isn’t required but it sounds really nice the way it follows the
vocals , and gives the song somewhat of a signature sound .

intro : Em – G

Em G
this place is a prison
Em G
and these people aren’t your friends
Em G
inhaling thrills through twenty dollar bills
D
as the tumblers are drained
C
and then flooded again and again

Dsus4 – Em – G x2

Em G
there’s guards at the on ramps
Em G
armed to the teeth
Em
and you may case the grounds
G
from the cascades to puget sound
D
but you are not permitted to leave

C Dsus4
i know there’s a big world out there
Em G
like the one that i saw on the screen
C Dsus4
in my living room late last night
Em C
it was almost too bright to see
Dsus4
and i know that it’s not a party
Em C
if it happens every night
Dsus4
pretending there’s glamour and candelabra
Em
as you’re drinking by candlelight

Em – Dsus4 –

C walk – to – Em Dsus4
what does it take to get a drink in this place?
C Em
what does it take , how long must i wait?

[ repeat to end ]