Logo for GuitarTabsExplorer
Watching My Life Go By Tab by Michael Hedges

Watching My Life Go By tab by Michael Hedges

Guitar Tab

WATCHING MY LIFE GO BY
by Michael Hedges 1981

Tuning: DADGCC

🏷Legend:
! = left hand reaches under neck and vigorously slaps guitar body like
it's a bongo drum!

This tune is in 5/8 TIME  Michael kept a kind of eighth note grace note
strum pattern throughout this tune. Notes Tabbed out below are more or
less Accents, but this is my first tab, so there are grace notes that I didn't put in
here, but if you know the tune, you'll know what to do...

* WHEN YOU OPEN THIS MAKE SURE IT WRAPS TO WINDOW AND NOT RULER.
UNSURE? GO TO THE 62ND CHARACHTER OF EACH LINE OF TABLATURE AND DO A HARD RETURN [HIT
ENTER] IT WILL LINE UP PROPERLY ...
🎸
Accuracy Rating: - Votes: -
Forte [WITH PASSION]

--------------2----2----2------------------------------2----2----2------|
--------------2----2----2------------------------------2----2----2------|
--------------2----2----2------------------------------2----2----2------|
-0--0--0---------------------------0--0--0------------------------------|
-4--4--4---------------------------4--4--4------------------------------|
-4--4--4---------------------------4--4--4------------------------------|

--------------2----2----2------------------------------2----2----2------|
--------------2----2----2------------------------------2----2----2------|
--------------2----2----2------------------------------2----2----2------|
-0--0--0---------------------------0--0--0------------------------------|
-4--4--4---------------------------4--4--4------------------------------|
-4--4--4---------------------------4--4--4------------------------------|

---------5--5--5-------7--7--7--------8--8--8---------10-10-10-----------|
---------5--5--5-------7--7--7-------10-10-10---------12-12-12-----------|
---------5--5--5-------7--7--7--------8--8--8---------10-10-10-----------|
--5--5--5-------7--7--7--------8--8--8---------10-10-10------------------|
--5--5--5-------7--7--7--------8--8--8---------10-10-10------------------|
--5--5--5-------7--7--7-------10-10-10---------12-12-12------------------|

! !
-------------0----------0----------------------H5-----------------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------H4-----------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------------H5-----------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|

! !
-------------0----------0----------------------H5-----------------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------H4-----------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------------H5-----------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|

pianoforte [lightly with grace and energy, LET IT BREATHE]
[and keep 16ths going on the top 2 strings as shown vaguely below]

Everyone sees their life a different way __________________________

---0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|
---0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|
---5----------------4-----------------0-----------------0----------------|
---7----------------5-----------------7-----------------5----------------|
---X----------------X-----------------8-----------------7----------------|
---X----------------X-----------------X-----------------X----------------|

Saviors even come on different days

---------2--2--2----------------2--2--2---------------------------------|
---------0--0--0----------------0--0--0---------------------------------|
---------3--3--3----------------3--3--3---------------------------------|
--0-0-0----------------0-0-0--------------------------------------------|
--3-3-3----------------3-3-3--------------------------------------------|
--3-3-3----------------3-3-3--------------------------------------------|

---------2--2--2----------------2--2--2---------------------------------|
---------0--0--0----------------0--0--0---------------------------------|
---------3--3--3----------------3--3--3---------------------------------|
--0-0-0----------------0-0-0--------------------------------------------|
--3-3-3----------------3-3-3--------------------------------------------|
--3-3-3----------------3-3-3--------------------------------------------|

Bleeding his colors into several shades

----------------3----3----3------------------------3----3----3-----------|
----------------0----0----0------------------------0----0----0-----------|
---0--0--0------------------------0--0--0--------------------------------|
---3--3--3------------------------3--3--3--------------------------------|
---0--0--0------------------------0--0--0--------------------------------|
---3--3--3------------------------3--3--3--------------------------------|

----------------0----0----0------------------------0----0----0-----------|
----------------3----3----3------------------------3----3----3-----------|
---0--0--0------------------------0--0--0--------------------------------|
---3--3--3------------------------3--3--3--------------------------------|
---0--0--0------------------------0--0--0--------------------------------|
---3--3--3------------------------3--3--3--------------------------------|

Forte [stronger]

But I am a prisoner caught in the flesh, red-handed

-------5---------------0-------------------------------------------------|
-------0---------------0-------------------------------------------------|
-------0---------------0-------------------------------------------------|
-------5---------------0-------------------------------------------------|
-------X---------------8-------------------------------------------------|
-------5---------------8-------------------------------------------------|

Watching my life go by

-------------0----------0-----------------------0--------------0---------|
-------------0----------0-----------------------0--------------0---------|
-------------0----------0-----------------------0--------------0---------|
--12--12--12-------0-0--------(0)-12--12--12--------------0-0------------|
--0---0---0--------0-0--------(0)-0---0---0---------------0-0------------|
--12--12--12-------0-0--------(0)-12--12--12--------------0-0------------|
slides up to 12th fret from open string.

-------------0----------0-----------------------0--------------0---------|
-------------0----------0-----------------------0--------------0---------|
-------------0----------0-----------------------0--------------0---------|
--12--12--12-------0-0--------(0)-12--12--12--------------0-0------------|
--0---0---0--------0-0--------(0)-0---0---0---------------0-0------------|
--12--12--12-------0-0--------(0)-12--12--12--------------0-0------------|

I'm watching my life go by

------------------0----0----0----------------0----0----0-----------------|
------------------0----0----0----------------0----0----0-----------------|
------------------0----0----0----------------0----0----0-----------------|
-------9--9--9-------------------9--9--9---------------------------------|
-------7--7--7-------------------7--7--7---------------------------------|
-------7--7--7-------------------7--7--7---------------------------------|

------------------0----0----0----------------0----0----0-----------------|
------------------0----0----0----------------0----0----0-----------------|
------------------0----0----0----------------0----0----0-----------------|
-------9--9--9-------------------9--9--9---------------------------------|
-------7--7--7-------------------7--7--7---------------------------------|
-------7--7--7-------------------7--7--7---------------------------------|
GLISS

Watching my life go by
! !
-------------0----------0----------------------H5-----------------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------H4-----------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------------H5-----------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|

-------------0----------0----------------------H5-----------------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------H4-----------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------------H5-----------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|

Nobody knows how close ... "together" means
---0--------------------------0-------------0---------------0-----------|
---0--------------------------0-------------0---------------0-----------|
---5--------------------------4-------------0---------------0-----------|
---7--------------------------5-------------7---------------5-----------|
---X--------------------------X-------------8---------------7-----------|
---X--------------------------X-------------X---------------X-----------|

Love is a race we run at different speeds
---------2--2--2----------------2--2--2---------------------------------|
---------0--0--0----------------0--0--0---------------------------------|
---------3--3--3----------------3--3--3---------------------------------|
--0-0-0----------------0-0-0--------------------------------------------|
--3-3-3----------------3-3-3--------------------------------------------|
--3-3-3----------------3-3-3--------------------------------------------|

---------2--2--2----------------2--2--2---------------------------------|
---------0--0--0----------------0--0--0---------------------------------|
---------3--3--3----------------3--3--3---------------------------------|
--0-0-0----------------0-0-0--------------------------------------------|
--3-3-3----------------3-3-3--------------------------------------------|
--3-3-3----------------3-3-3--------------------------------------------|

Pacing ourselves to deal with different needs

----------------3----3----3------------------------3----3----3-----------|
----------------0----0----0------------------------0----0----0-----------|
---0--0--0------------------------0--0--0--------------------------------|
---3--3--3------------------------3--3--3--------------------------------|
---0--0--0------------------------0--0--0--------------------------------|
---3--3--3------------------------3--3--3--------------------------------|

----------------0----0----0------------------------0----0----0-----------|
----------------3----3----3------------------------3----3----3-----------|
---0--0--0------------------------0--0--0--------------------------------|
---3--3--3------------------------3--3--3--------------------------------|
---0--0--0------------------------0--0--0--------------------------------|
---3--3--3------------------------3--3--3--------------------------------|

But I am a spectator caught in a crowd of laughter
-------5---------------0-------------------------------------------------|
-------0---------------0-------------------------------------------------|
-------0---------------0-------------------------------------------------|
-------5---------------0-------------------------------------------------|
-------X---------------8-------------------------------------------------|
-------5---------------8-------------------------------------------------|

Watching my life go by
-------------0----------0-----------------------0--------------0---------|
-------------0----------0-----------------------0--------------0---------|
-------------0----------0-----------------------0--------------0---------|
--12--12--12-------0-0--------(0)-12--12--12--------------0-0------------|
--0---0---0--------0-0--------(0)-0---0---0---------------0-0------------|
--12--12--12-------0-0--------(0)-12--12--12--------------0-0------------|

-------------0----------0-----------------------0--------------0---------|
-------------0----------0-----------------------0--------------0---------|
-------------0----------0-----------------------0--------------0---------|
--12--12--12-------0-0--------(0)-12--12--12--------------0-0------------|
--0---0---0--------0-0--------(0)-0---0---0---------------0-0------------|
--12--12--12-------0-0--------(0)-12--12--12--------------0-0------------|

I'm watching my life go by
------------------0----0----0----------------0----0----0-----------------|
------------------0----0----0----------------0----0----0-----------------|
------------------0----0----0----------------0----0----0-----------------|
-------9--9--9-------------------9--9--9---------------------------------|
-------7--7--7-------------------7--7--7---------------------------------|
-------7--7--7-------------------7--7--7---------------------------------|

------------------0----0----0----------------0----0----0-----------------|
------------------0----0----0----------------0----0----0-----------------|
------------------0----0----0----------------0----0----0-----------------|
-------9--9--9-------------------9--9--9---------------------------------|
-------7--7--7-------------------7--7--7---------------------------------|
-------7--7--7-------------------7--7--7---------------------------------|
GLISS
~~~crescendo>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Watching my life go by
-------------0----------0----------------------H5-----------------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------H4-----------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------------H5-----------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|

-------------0----------0----------------------H5-----------------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------H4-----------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------------H5-----------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|

Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee deet deet
--------------2----2----2------------------------------2----2----2------|
--------------2----2----2------------------------------2----2----2------|
--------------2----2----2------------------------------2----2----2------|
-0--0--0---------------------------0--0--0------------------------------|
-4--4--4---------------------------4--4--4------------------------------|
-4--4--4---------------------------4--4--4------------------------------|

Dee Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
--------------2----2----2------------------------------2----2----2------|
--------------2----2----2------------------------------2----2----2------|
--------------2----2----2------------------------------2----2----2------|
-0--0--0---------------------------0--0--0------------------------------|
-4--4--4---------------------------4--4--4------------------------------|
-4--4--4---------------------------4--4--4------------------------------|

Dweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Daa
Dweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
---------5--5--5-------7--7--7--------8--8--8---------10-10-10-----------|
---------5--5--5-------7--7--7-------10-10-10---------12-12-12-----------|
---------5--5--5-------7--7--7--------8--8--8---------10-10-10-----------|
--5--5--5-------7--7--7--------8--8--8---------10-10-10------------------|
--5--5--5-------7--7--7--------8--8--8---------10-10-10------------------|
--5--5--5-------7--7--7-------10-10-10---------12-12-12------------------|

eeeeeeeee Ah - dah - daaaaaahhhhh
! !
-------------0----------0----------------------H5-----------------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------H4-----------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------------H5-----------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|

! !
-------------0----------0----------------------H5-----------------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------H4-----------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------------H5-----------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|

[same as verses above]

Somebody help me find my way back down
There's nobody left for me to lap around
Everyone's breaking past my speed of sound
I am a dictator I keep my soul surrounded
Watching my life, Waaah - tching my life, Watching my life ....

I'm watching my life go by

Watching my life go by

[ending]
I'm watching my life go by-------------------------

-----------------0----0----0----------------------------0----0----0-----|
-----------------0----0----0----------------------------0----0----0-----|
-----------------0----0----0----------------------------0----0----0-----|
----7--7--7----------------------------7--7--7--------------------------|
----7--7--7----------------------------7--7--7--------------------------|
----7--7--7----------------------------7--7--7--------------------------|

--yyyyy-----------------------------------------------------------I'm---

-----------------0----0----0----------------------------0----0----0-----|
-----------------0----0----0----------------------------0----0----0-----|
-----------------0----0----0----------------------------0----0----0-----|
----7--7--7----------------------------7--7--7--------------------------|
----7--7--7----------------------------7--7--7--------------------------|
----7--7--7----------------------------7--7--7--------------------------|
~~~crescendo>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>

Watching my life!

----0---0---0---0-------------------------------------------------------|
----0---0---0---0-------------------------------------------------------|
----0---0---0---0-------------------------------------------------------|
----0---0---0---0-------------------------------------------------------|
----0---0---0---0-------------------------------------------------------|
----0---0---0---0-------------------------------------------------------|

************************************************** **********************

Alternative harmonics [the entire harmonics part]

! !
-------------0----------0----------------------H5-----------------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------H4-----------------|
-------------0----------0----------------------------------H5-----------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|

! !
-------------X----------X-----------------------------------------------|
-------------X----------X-----------------------------------------------|
-------------0----------0-------------------------H5--------------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0--------------H4--------------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0--------------------H5--------|
--0---0---0-----0-0----------(0)-0---0---0------------------------------|

Your last visited songs

Michael Hedges tabs for Watching my life go by

What is this?

Learn how to play "Watching My Life Go By" by Michael Hedges with our easy-to-follow guide. Build confidence, sharpen your technique, and enjoy playing guitar.

Who Is This Page For?

This guitar tabs tutorial for "Watching My Life Go By" by Michael Hedges is crafted for all musicians players ready to learn and grow. Whether you're just starting or refining your skills, this guide meets you where you are.

Why This Page Is Perfect for You

No matter your skill level, this page is a valuable resource for improving your guitar tab playing.

What You Will Gain

By using our guitar tabs, you’ll not only learn to play "Watching My Life Go By" by Michael Hedges with accuracy and style, but you'll also elevate your overall musicianship. Explore our full archive of guitar tabs for more songs, skills, and inspiration.

Find guitar tabs and chords

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

×