There are plenty of sad songs about love. There are plenty of clever songs about everyday jobs. But only The Weakerthans—and their brilliant frontman John K. Samson—could write a song that is simultaneously a heart-wrenching character study, a love letter to public libraries, and a masterclass in quiet, jangly indie rock.
C G Joyce the librarian, I know the names Am F Of the books you read, the periodical games C G The way you push your glasses up sometimes Dm G And alphabetize the overdues in your mind This is where the song gets devastating. The chords change slightly—moving to Em and F with more feeling. Note: The "ooh ooh" part is just humming the melody over the same chords. joyce the librarian - lyrics and chords
Happy playing, and shhh...
So grab your acoustic guitar, put the capo on the 2nd fret, and play this one quietly. Just try not to fall in love with a librarian by the end of the chorus. Check out our other breakdowns of The Weakerthans songs like "Left and Leaving" and "A Plea from a Cat Named Virtute." There are plenty of sad songs about love
"Joyce the Librarian" is a short, sharp punch of longing. It tells the story of a patron who is desperately, pathetically in love with a librarian. He doesn't check out books; he checks out presence . He watches her stamp due dates and reshelve returns, romanticizing the mundane until it breaks him. Samson—could write a song that is simultaneously a