Lagu ini diawali dengan petikan cepat enam nada menurun bergaya mandolin pada senar tinggi E di fret ke-19, 17, 16, 14, 12, 9, 7, dan 5. Pada versi aslinya, bagian pembuka ini sebenarnya dimainkan menggunakan organ, dan melodi menurun tersebut dimainkan sebanyak dua kali.
Bagian Pertama
E – A
Heaven…is this heaven?
E – A
Heaven…is this heaven?
E – A – E
Heaven…is this heaven…where we are?
E – D – A – E
See them walking, if you dare, or if you call that walking
E – D – A – F#m – E
Stumble, stagger, fall and drag themselves along the streets of heaven
Bagian Kedua
E – A – E
Where is the blessed table to feed all who hunger on earth?
E – A – E
Welcomed and seated, each one is joyfully served
E – D – A – E
See them walking, if you dare, or if you call that walking
E – D – A – F#m – E
Stumble, stagger, fall and drag themselves along the streets of heaven
Bagian Ketiga
E – A – E
Where is the halo, that should glow ’round your face?
E – A – E
And where are the wings that should grow from your shoulders, pray show them to me?
D – A – E – A
Sobering sights I’ve seen in the City of Angels
E – D – A – E – F#m – E
have all been one rude awakening that was due to me in heaven.
(Ulangi bagian pembuka dengan melodi petikan menurun pada senar tinggi E)
Bagian Akhir
D – A – E – A
Sobering sights I’ve seen in the City of Angels
E – D – A – E – F#m – E
have all been one rude awakening that was due to me in heaven.
E – A – E
There would be heavenly music, I was convinced before…
E – A – E
A host of the dearly to meet me with hosannas sung at the door
E – D – A – E – A
But these sobering sights I’ve seen in the City of Angels
E – D – A – E – F#m – Em – E
have all been one rude awakening that was due to me in this city of fallen angels.
