G She knows the Dewey Decimal Cadd9 Like the back of her own hand G Her passion is incredible Cadd9 Though few people understand Em D She’s got a novel in her desk Cadd9 G A story grand and picturesque
Asus2 Closing time comes running fast E Bsus4 She locks the doors and turns the key E Asus2 The young man walks into the mist E Bsus4 E A fading ghost of memory C#m G#m She packs her bag and takes her coat A E And steps into the chilly air F#m A Another chapter ends today F#m Bsus4 B With no one really knowing she was there
Verse 1: She works at the reference desk All day, all night She's got a catalog of bruised feelings And a shelf of desperate requiems
(Lyrics as transcribed from performance by Richard Stilgoe and Peter Skellern) joyce the librarian lyrics and chords fixed
Chorus: C - G - Am - D Oh, Joyce the librarian, with glasses on her face C - G - Am - D Finding love among the shelves, in a quiet, secret place C - G - Am - D Fiction, non-fiction, it's all the same C - G - Am - D Joyce the librarian, with a love that's not tamed
The correct chords for this song aren't as readily available as the lyrics. The guitar part on the original recording is a very understated, strummed acoustic, but it serves as the perfect canvas for this storytelling piece. While there is no officially published sheet music, the most widely accepted and accurate version for guitar is as follows.
Down, down-up, down-up, down (repeat)
For a gentle, acoustic rendition that might fit the serene atmosphere of a library:
[G] The lights go out at nine, she locks up the heavy door, [Am] [F] Steps into the rain, she don't look back anymore. [C] [G] [C] Counting mine, oh, Joyce, counting mine. [C] [G] [C] (Single Strum) Counting mine, oh, Joyce, counting mine. Pro-Tips for Nailing This Song
Chorus: Joyce, Joyce, the librarian so fine, Keeping the books in line. With a whisper and a gentle hand, She guides us through the land. G She knows the Dewey Decimal Cadd9 Like
Upbeat, folky strumming. Suggested Chords: G, C, D (or G, C, D7)
Oh, [C] Joyce the librarian, [G] keeping up the quiet[D] Living in a world of books, a [G] solitary riot[C] Shushing all the noisy kids, [G] filing up the [Em] shelves[Am] We were reading chapters we could [D] never read ourselves [G]
F C Oh, Joyce the Librarian, G Am hush now, hear the pages turn. F C She’ll find the answer if you ask it right, G C then disappear between the fiction and the light. Down, down-up, down-up, down (repeat) For a gentle,
Finding the Right Chords for "Joyce the Librarian" "Joyce the Librarian" is a beloved indie-folk storytelling song known for its clever narrative, nostalgic melody, and acoustic warmth. For guitarists and ukulele players, finding accurate chord charts online can be frustrating. Many user-submitted tabs contain inverted chords or incorrect bass notes that ruin the song's gentle flow.