Tuning: E A D G B E

Authors Notes: I felt that the other versions of this song were a little off, mainly because they lacked C#m and G#m chords. Play it through and let me know what you think! The Introduction and Bridge sections are slightly simplified with the E and G#m chords. It sounds like 3 or 4 chords are played after the B in quick succession, however the E and G#m chords complement these chords well so the E and G#m chords are the only ones needed. [Intro] |C#m B E C#m B G#m | x4

^C#m ^B ^G#m He seemed no different from the rest ^C#m ^B ^E Just a healthy normal boy ^C#m ^B ^G#m His mama always did her best ^C#m ^B ^E And he was his daddy's pride and joy

^C#m ^B ^G#mHe learned to walk and talk on time ^C#m ^B ^EBut never cared much to be held ^C#m ^B ^G#mAnd steadily he would decline ^C#m ^B ^EInto his solitary shell.

^BAs a boy, he was cons^Aidered somewhat ^Eodd. ^BKept to himself most of the tim^Ae. ^E ^BHe would daydream in and ^Aout of his own w^Eorld, But in ^Aevery other way, he was ^Bfine.

He's a ^EMonday morning lunatic Dis^Bturbed from time to time. ^ALost within himself In his ^Esolitary ^Bshell.

^ETemporary catatonic ^BMadman on occasion ^AWhen will he break out Of his ^Esolitary ^Bshell? ^E

[Bridge] |C#m B E C#m B G#m | x2

^C#m ^B ^G#mHe struggled to get through his day ^C#m ^B ^EHe was helplessly behind ^C#m ^B ^G#mHe poured himself onto the page ^C#m ^B ^EWriting for hours at a time.

^BAs a man, he was a danger t^Ao himself.^E ^BFearful and sad most of the^A time. ^E ^BHe was drifting in and out ^Aof sanity.^E But in ^Aevery other way, he was ^Bfine.

He's a ^EMonday morning lunatic Dis^Bturbed from time to time Lo^Ast within himself In his ^Esolitary ^Bshell

^EA momentary maniac with ^Bcasual delusions. ^AWhen will he be let out Of his ^Esolitary ^Bshell?

(After the end of the lyrics there is an instrumental part played)

Dream Theater - Solitary shell