U2: Seconds from War
transcribed by eric schaaf ([email protected])

this song is probably tuned down a half—step (Eb, Ab, Db, Gb) like the rest
of the album but can simply be played starting at the Db in standard tuning 

main bass line:

G——————————————————————————————
D———————4——————4——————4————————
A———4—6————4—6————4—6———4—6————
E——————————————————————————————

It takes a second to say goodbye,
Say goodbye.
It takes a second to say goodbye,
Say goodbye, say bye bye where are you going 
to now?

Lightning flashes acrosee the sky,
From east to west you do or die.
Like a theif in the night 
You see the world by candlelight.

second bass line: play twice in each interlude 
then revert back to the main bass line

G————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
D———————4——————4——————4——————4———————————————————————————————
A———4—6————4—6————4—6————4—6————4—2————4—2————4—2————4—2—————
E———————————————————————————————————2——————2——————2——————2———

In an apartment on Times Square,
You can assemble them anywhere.
Held to ransom, hell to pay,
A revolution every day.
U.S.S.R., D.D.R., London, New York, Peking.
It's the puppets, it's the puppets who pull the 
strings.

(second bass line)

Say goodbye, say goodbye,
Say goodbye, say goodbye,

(excerpt from "soldier Girls")

It takes a second to say goodbye,
Push the button and pull the plug, say goodbye.

(second bass line)  

They're doing the atomic bomb,
Do they know where the dance comes from?
Yes they're doing the atomic bomb,
They want to sing along.
Say goodbye, say goodbye.

About U2

U2 are a rock band from Dublin, Ireland. The group consists of Bono (vocals and guitar), The Edge (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums and percussion).

How to Read Bass Tabs

Bass tablature (tabs) is an easy way to learn songs without needing to read traditional sheet music. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the symbols and techniques commonly found in tabs:

1. The Basics

Strings and Frets:
Each line in a tab represents a string on your bass:
- The top line is the highest-pitched string (G on a 4-string bass).
- The bottom line is the lowest-pitched string (E on a 4-string bass).
Numbers on the lines indicate which fret to press. For example:
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------------------|
A|---3---------------|
E|-------------------|
            
```
This means you play the 3rd fret on the A string.

2. Common Techniques

Hammer-On (h):
Play the first note by picking it, then press down on a higher fret with another finger without picking again.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------5h7---------|
            
```
Pull-Off (p):
Pluck a note and then "pull off" your finger to let a lower fret ring.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------7p5---------|
            
```
Slide (/ or \):
Move your finger up (/) or down (\) the fretboard while maintaining pressure.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------5/7---------|
            
```

3. Advanced Techniques

Bend (b): Push the string up or down to raise the pitch. Example: G|-------7b9---------|
Vibrato (~): Shake the string slightly after playing a note to create a vibrating sound. Example: G|-------7~----------|
Muted Notes (x): Rest your finger lightly on the string without pressing a fret and pluck for a percussive "click" sound.

4. Rhythm and Timing

Tabs don’t always indicate timing, so listen to the song while reading the tab. Wider spaces between numbers mean longer pauses, while closer numbers indicate quicker notes.

5. Slap and Pop

Slap (s): Strike the string with the side of your thumb for a percussive sound.
Pop (p): Pull the string away from the fretboard and let it snap back.

Practice Makes Perfect

Tabs are a great tool to learn songs, but mastering the techniques takes practice. Listen carefully to the original track and play along to lock in the rhythm. Don’t rush — smooth, accurate playing is more important than speed. Happy jamming! 🎸

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U2 — Seconds bass tabs