Respectable

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Don McLean
Respectable transcribed by Alex Ceserani
Em G C D
Ah, it aint so easy is it? you almost lost your place.
G Am C D
And perhaps youre wondering how youre going to cope with your disgrace.
G Am C D
Well your wealth is well established and your friends were never few,
G
And all the things they told you of youre finding to be true.
Am C D
Well if truth can free the guilty while the innocent must die,
G Am C D G
()
Then I respect, respect, respect the coldest lie.
Em G C D
And you talk of human justice while you drive on fancy wheels.
G Am C D
And you push them to their limit just to see how nice it feels.
G Am C D
Well it doesnt really matter if shes living or shes dead,
G
You just drive away forgetting that your bumpers dipped in red.
Am C D
Well if thats the kind of justice that our hall of justice claims,
G Am C D G
()
Then I respect, respect, respect old jesse james.
Em G C D
And most cordially they caught you and they asked you to obey.
G Am C D
And they threw you into prison, just in case you could not pay.
G Am C D
Well King Arthur jousted Lancelot, who stole away his wife;
G
And your lawyers jousted with the court to save your precious life.
Am C D
Well if living is what matters though you lie with every breath,
G Am C D G
()
Then I respect, respect, the ones we put to death.
Em G C D
And you won your case most easily and soon you will be free.
G Am C D
But there will be a million more who lose their liberty.
G Am C D
Not because of what they did, but what they did not do:
G
They did not pay a lawyer or a judge to see them through.
Am C D
Why, they had no friends to call on and they could not raise their bail.
G Am C D G
()
Well if winning is what matters, I respect the ones who fail.

Respectable chords and lyrics

Free chords for Respectable by Don McLean. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

Don McLean
Respectable                transcribed by Alex Ceserani

Respectable Chords by Don McLean

Learn how to play Respectable by Don McLean with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Respectable chords”, “Respectable guitar chords”, or “Don McLean Respectable chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Respectable chords and for experienced players who want accurate Respectable lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, G, C, D, Am.

Frequently asked questions about Respectable

How do I play "Respectable" by Don McLean on guitar?

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Yes. Tap any chord in "Respectable" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Respectable" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Respectable" in?

The chords for "Respectable" show the original chord names (including Em, G, C, D, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.