"A Perfect Day" was written by Carrie Jacobs-Bond, one of the most prolific women songwriters of the 20th century.   This was all the more remarkable, since at the time she decided to begin a career as a songwriter in 1894 at the age of 32, songwriting was not viewed by society as a proper occupation for women.  Carrie came to it out of necessity.  She had been widowed, and was left with a young son to support and care for.  In addition, she was afflicted with bouts of crippling rheumatism, and so was unable find any other means of steady employment.  Through her own faith, hope, and determination, she overcame adversity and obstacles to build a music publishing empire.

 Carrie not only composed the music and wrote all her own lyrics, she also provided the paintings and artwork for the sheet music covers, which were considered works of art in and of themselves.  When her son grew up, he joined her in the publishing business as a partner, and "Carrie Jacobs-Bond & Sons", also known as "Bond House" became known world wide. 

Among her other  well-known songs are "I Love You Truly", "Just A-Wearying For You", "God Remembers When the World Forgets", and "Through the Years".   But it was "A Perfect Day" that catapulted her to fame, as it sold over 5 million copies of the sheet music, an astounding number in those days.  The song was used for everything from weddings to funerals.    During the first world war, the song became a sort of an anthem that was sung by soldiers to celebrate victories and most especially to celebrate the end of the war.   She had originally written the lyrics just as a poem, as a sort of thank-you for some friends who had invited her to dinner.  She composed them while dressing for the evening that night, and presented the poem as a kind of after-dinner toast.  She had forgotten about that poem until three months later while on vacation in California, the melody suddenly came to her, and it fit the words perfectly.

There are a few "accidentals" in this tune, which can be found out of D-A-d tuning by capo'ing at the 4th fret (key of A), and using both the 6 and the 6+ frets.  I have also provided a version of the tab in the key of D which uses the 1+ fret for those of you who would like to try that.  

The harmony part presented here is actually a transcription of a "cello obligato" part for the tune that was also composed by Carrie Bond. 

Enjoy!

In music and friendship,

--Tull

Here are the complete set of lyrics:

When you come to the end of a perfect day, and you sit alone with your thought
While the chimes ring out with a carol gay, for the joy that the day has brought
Do you think what the end of a perfect day, can mean to a tired heart
When the sun goes down with a flaming ray, and the dear friends have to part?
 

Well this is the end of a perfect day, near the end of a journey too;
But it leaves a thought that is big and strong, with a wish that is kind and true.
For memory has painted this perfect day with colors that never fade;
And we find, at the end of this perfect day, the soul of a friend we’ve made.

Here is a link to a YouTube video of the song being sung by Judith Durham, who was the lead singer for the Australian folk group "The Seekers" (best known for their 1968 hit "Georgy Girl").