the Mountain Goats Wiki

I've watched John play this song a lot;  this is a pretty close estimation of how he does it.
-miranda

Riff for between verses:
        !
-2--2-223203--3-3-33x-x-0-
-3--3-333300--0-0-002-3-2-
-2--2-222200--0-0-002-2-2-
----------00--0-0-002-2-2-
----------02--2-2-220-0-0-
----------03--3-3-33------

G to A Riff:

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

The main chord progression for verses is D, Bm, G, A
Strum D twice, then strum rapidly with all strings muted
Strum Bm twice, strum muted like above
Strum G twice, then play the G to A riff
Strum A once more, then strum muted again

This strumming pattern is used everywhere except where specifically noted.
Watch a performance video on youtube to help get your strum timing perfect.

    D               Bm             G                         A
you roared into the driveway of our southwestern ranch-style house
     D       Bm   G                  A
on a new kawasaki, chrome yellow and black
                 D          Bm  G
fresh out of the showroom.
                A
our house faced west,
       D          Bm   G                  A
so the big orange sun, positioned at your back,

(Start strumming chords regularly)
    G                  A
lit up your magnificent silhouette.
        D
how much better?
                    G
how much better can my life get?

(Go back to two strums per chord, with muting afterwards)
    D                    A
900 cubic centimeters of raw whining power.
D                                G
no outstanding warrants for my arrest.
     D          A
whoa-whoa. whoa whoa.

the pirate's life for me.

Between-verses riff    x 3

D Bm G A (standard pattern with muting) x2

D                       Bm    G                       A
i hopped on back of the bike, wrapped my arms around you.
D             Bm  G            A
and i sank my face into your hair.
D                    Bm        G            A
and then i inhaled as deeply as i possibly could.
             D        Bm               G           A
you were as sweet and delicious as the warm desert air.

(Start strumming chords regularly)
         G                      A
and you pointed your headlamp toward the horizon,
            D                           G
we were the one thing in the galaxy god didn't have his eyes on.

(Go back to two strums per chord, with muting afterwards)
D           A
900 cc's of raw whining power,
D                              G
no outstanding warrants for my arrest.
              D
hi diddle dee dee.
    A
god damn!

the pirate's life for me!

Between verses riff x2

Main chord progression once more