People Get Ready

(Curtis Mayfield original version)

Words & Music:

Curtis Mayfield

(originally tabbed in Db/F# by AWR)

 

Curtis Mayfield used an open F# tuning (F# A# C# F# A# F#) and capoed it at the 7^th fret to play this song in its original Db.  I've transposed it to D/Eb just for ease.  For an easier version, don't play the second guitar break and play the whole song in D.

 

INTRO: [w/wordless vocal improv, play 2x]

D [3 beats]  Bm [5 beats]  G/A [3 beats]  D [5 beats]

 

D          Bm               G/A     D

People get ready, there's a train a-comin'.

    D             Bm               G/A     D

You don't need no baggage, you just get on board.

        D       Bm                G/A     D

All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'.

F#m           Em               G         D

Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord.

 

Guitar break #1:

        (D )     (Bm)        (Em)    (D6)

         v       v   v   v     v       v   v   v

        -5/7\5---------------|-----------------------

        -5/7\5---------------|-------------------10--

        -----------7---------|-7h9p7-----------7--7--

        -----------9---7---7-|-9-----9-------9-9--9--

        -----------9---9-9---|-7-------10----9-------

        ---------------------|------------10---------

 

People get ready for the train to Jordan.

It's picking up passengers from coast to coast.

Faith is the key, open the doors and board 'em.

There's hope for all among those loved the most.

 

Guitar break #2 (w/key change to D):

 (D)  (Bm)         (G)        (D)      (Eb)  (Cm)       (Ab/Eb) (Eb)

 v   v   v   v     v     v    v   v     v   v   v   v     v   v   v   v

-----------------|---------------------|-----------------|-----------------

-7h8-7-----------|---------------7-----|-7h8-7-----------|-3-3---3---------

-7---7-7---------|--7--7--7--7-9-7-----|-7---7-7---------|-4-4---2-----2---

-7-----9---9-7-9-|-7h9-9-7h9-7-7-----4-|-7-----9---9-7-9-|-5-5---4---4-----

-5-----9---------|--10---------7-5-----|-4-----9---------|-5-5---5---------

-----------------|---------------------|-----------------|-----------------

 

Eb             Cm  Ab/Bb                   Eb

There ain't no room----- for the hopeless sinner.

Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own

Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner

           Gm         Fm                Ab          Eb

For there's no hiding place against the Kingdom's throne

 

[repeat verse 1 in Eb]

 

So, people get ready, there's a train a comin'

You don't need no baggage, you just get on board

All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'

Gm            Fm               [n.c.]          D  Bm  G/A  D6/9

Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord.