Yvelheim Entrance | Yindex | © 1999-2008
Music by Joss Whedon and Jed Whedon
Lyrics transcription from IMaekGaemz.com
(with slight corrections by Joe Levy)
Music transcribed by Joe Levy (with thanks to Moses Lei for the G# half-dim7 correction)
While the repetition of melody in the verses makes it easy to learn this song, it can also lead you into a couple of traps. For example, the first verse is heavy on the Bm; the second and third mostly use the D instead. Yet, Dr. Horrible sings the same melody over each.
The line "On the rise" is sung differently in *each* of its four instances, so be careful not to just repeat it! (The following disregards the eighth-note transition notes which are present in each change.) In the first verse, "rise" has a measure on D, drops to B for a measure, then drops to F# for a measure. In the second verse, it stays on D for only two beats, then quickly drops to B for a measure and a half. In the third verse, Penny sings it like Dr. Horrible did in the first verse, but without the final drop to F#; just a measure each on D and B. At the same time, Dr. Horrible's "rise" starts on B (dropping *down* from "the") for a measure, then drops to F# for a measure.
When singing Penny's part, make sure you practice the syncopation at the end. ("And it's plain to see / rapture inside of me") It's very tempting to sing those bits with Dr. Horrible, instead of after him.
Standard tuning. Key of Bm.
I play this on capo 2 to make the chords easier, and because some of the
voicings sound better that way. On the other hand, with no capo,
you can replace the 5 (at the asterisk) with a 0 on the E string, which is
easier and more natural to play. Your call.
Special note: The "E9/G#" (422432) near the end of each verse ("Inside of me") is my interpretation. The note E, while prominent, only appears in the vocals; the remaining notes of the chord (G#, B, D, F#) constitute a G# half-dimininished seventh (424432). It sounds just fine as E/G# (422454), if you like. (And there are lots of other ways to voice these chords.) The arpeggiated parts are simple; only the Bm has a variation:
Bm: (played as Am on capo 2) *
|-------2-----------2-----------2-----------2-----
|-----3---3-------3---3-------3---3---5-3-----3---
|---4-------4---4-------4---4-------4-----4-----4-
|-4-----------4-----------4-----------------------
|-------------------------------------------------
|-------------------------------------------------
Em: (played as Dm on capo 2)
|-------3-----
|-----5---5---
|---4-------4-
|-2-----------
|-------------
|-------------
F#m: (played as Em on capo 2) (xx4222 is easier, if you prefer.)
|-------5-----
|-----7---7---
|---6-------6-
|-4-----------
|-------------
|-------------
A: (played as G (barred) on capo 2)
|-------5-----
|-----5---5---
|---6-------6-
|-7-----------
|-------------
|-------------
[Dr. Horrible:]
Bm
Any dolt with half a brain can see that humankind has gone insane
To the point where I don't know if I'll upset the status quo
If I throw poison in the water main.
Em Bm Em Bm
Listen close to everybody's heart, and hear that breaking sound
Em Bm F#m A
Hopes and dreams are shattering apart, and crashing to the ground
[Start strumming.]
Bm G Bm A G
I cannot believe my eyes: How the world's filled with filth and lies
Bm A E9/G# G Bm
But it's plain to see: Evil inside of me is on the rise.
[Arpeggiate that Bm, then resume strumming.]
[Penny:]
D
Look around: We're living with the lost and found
Just when you feel you've almost drowned, you find yourself on solid ground
Em Bm Em Bm
And you believe there's good in everybody's heart; keep it safe and sound
Em Bm F#m A
With hope, you can do your part to turn a life around
D G D A G
I cannot believe my eyes: Is the world finally growing wise?
Bm A E9/G# G Bm
'Cause it seems to me, some kind of harmony is on the rise
[Dr. Horrible (duet part):]
D
Anyone with half a brain could spend their whole life howling in pain
'Cause the dark is everywhere and Penny doesn't seem to care that
Soon the dark in me is all that will remain
Em Bm Em Bm
Listen close to everybody's heart, and hear that breaking sound
Em Bm F#m A
Hopes and dreams are shattering apart, and crashing to the ground
D G D A G
I cannot believe my eyes: How the world's filled with filth and lies
Bm A E9/G# G Bm
But it's plain to see: Evil inside of me is on the rise
[Penny (duet):]
D
Take it slow. He looks at me and seems to know
The things that I'm afraid to show, and suddenly I feel this glow
Em Bm Em Bm
And I believe there's good in everybody's heart; keep it safe and sound
Em Bm F#m A
With hope you can do your part to turn a life around
D G D A G
I cannot believe my eyes: how the world's finally growing wise
Bm A E9/G# G Bm
And it's plain to see: Rapture inside of me is on the rise