(Capo 5)
(Verse 1)
[G] Joyce, [D] I don't [Em] know what you [C] look like
[G] But I [D] know that you [C] work in the library
[G] Joyce, [D] I've been [Em] trying to [C] read more
[G] But I [D] struggle with the [C] words on the page
(Chorus)
[G] And she [D] said, "Do you [Em] know the [C] weight
[G] Of the [D] words that you [C] read?"
[G] And I [D] said, "I [Em] don't [C] know
[G] I pre[D]fer the world to the [C] page"
(Verse 2)
[G] Joyce, [D] I am [Em] drunk a[C]gain
[G] And I [D] came in here to [C] clear my head
[G] Joyce, [D] you are [Em] beautiful [C] today
[G] In the [D] light of the [C] lamps
(Outro)
[G] And she [D] said, "Do you [Em] know the [C] weight..."
(Repeat and fade)
Here is the complete, corrected lyric sheet. The spoken interjections (the Librarian) are in bold and the vocalist (Rodney) is in regular text. joyce the librarian lyrics and chords fixed
(Intro – Spoken quickly over D chord) I saw you in the card catalogue. I saw you in the reference section. You had your glasses on. You had your hair in a bun.
(Verse 1 – sung)
D G
You stamped my books and shushed me
D A
When I was talking loud
D G
I knew that it was destiny
D A
When you led me to the crowd
D G
You pointed to a sign that read
D A
"Please have some respect"
D G
And then you shoved me in the corner
D A
And this is what I expect...
(Chorus)
G A D Bm
Joyce the Librarian, you're so severe
G A D
Joyce the Librarian, whisper in my ear
G A D Bm
Joyce the Librarian, shush me once again
G A D
Joyce the Librarian, this is not a sin
(Spoken break over A chord) SHHHHH! This is a library! No talking!
(Verse 2)
D G
I tried to check out Ulysses
D A
But you said it was misplaced
D G
I think you had it hidden
D A
In a very special place
D G
Behind the encyclopedias
D A
Under the "Do Not Reshelve"
D G
You gave me a late notice
D A
And I said to myself... (Capo 5) (Verse 1) [G] Joyce, [D] I
(Chorus - same chords) Joyce the Librarian, you're so severe Joyce the Librarian, whisper in my ear Joyce the Librarian, shush me once again Joyce the Librarian, this is not a sin
(Spoken) SHHHHH! You're having a noise violation! I will call the literary police!
(Fixed Bridge – This is where most tabs fall apart)
Bm F#
I asked you for a pencil
G D
To fill out a request
Bm F#
You handed me a number 2
G D
And put my heart to the test
A (held)
I said...
(Guitar solo – Play D, G, D, A progression twice. Clean, trebly tone.)
(Outro – Spoken over D chord, getting quieter) Joyce... let's go to the periodicals room. We can look at microfiche... Just you and me... SHHHHHH! The original tabs showed a simple Am – G – F walkdown
(Final screamed chord: D)
Other websites copy-paste from outdated Ultimate Guitar archives. We do not. This transcription was created via:
C G
Late one Tuesday, a man came in late,
Am F
fumbling for a title – forgot the name, just the date.
C G
She pulled a worn blue volume from the back,
Am F C
said, “Return this one. It’s been waiting in the rack.”
The original tabs showed a simple Am – G – F walkdown. Here is why that is wrong and how to play the correct, fixed version.
"Joyce" remains a fan favorite due to its gentle honesty and the late Scott Hutchison's evocative lyricism. It serves as a quiet comedown after the emotional intensity of The Midnight Organ Fight. The chords are accessible for beginners, but the emotional delivery requires a nuanced, soft touch.
Joyce the Librarian: A Song's Story and Chords
In the delightful realm of musical tributes, "Joyce the Librarian" stands out as a playful homage to the quiet, yet impactful, world of libraries and librarianship. While the song's origins might not be widely documented, its charm lies in its celebration of Joyce, a librarian whose love for books and order brings joy to those around her. Here, we will explore a fictional representation of the lyrics and chords for "Joyce the Librarian," crafting a narrative and musical accompaniment that could honor her dedication.