Now playing
The Referees Alphabet
Chords
Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams
This one's just the same 3 chords played over and over again, execept the D which is
occasionaly slide up from a D flat chord(it just an extra detail that I haven transcribed,
I'm just saying incase your wondering, it doesn't make the utmost of differances)
Great and very (almost too) underratted band and one of their greatest songs
(note: the chord placings are approximate so are probably in the wrong place, but it's
easy enough to guess them as long as you know the chords)
(intros just the same chords for the verses: D, G, A)
DThe A is for my authority
GWhich many players seem to question,
AThinking they're somehow going to make me change my mind
DB is for babies
GWhich a lot of managers cry like
AAfter a decision has not gone their way
DC is for the continual criticism GI recieve from the touchline
AGet back in your technical area!
DD is for the dunderheads
GWho seem to think we have a conspiracy
AAgainst their particular team
DE is for the eery silence that echoes around the ground
GAfter I've booked the home teams player
AAnd it's obvious to everyone that he deserved it
DF is the farce into which most games would descend if we werent there
GThe G is for the gnarled face of someone whos on 90,000 a week
AAnd reckoned he should have had a throw in
DH is for handball
GWhich has to be intentional and very rarely is
AIf only people would study the rules more
DI is for innocence, pleaded by many a doe-eyed defender
GAfter they've just scythed down that tricky winger
AJ is for ju-jitsu, which i quite intend to display given a dark alley
DAnd some of the narky blerts ive encountered
GK is for the kissing of the badge
AHow ridiculous that looks 6 months later when they're at another club
DL is for lip reading, Gat which you don't need to be an expert
ATo see how odious some people are
DM is for the mistakes we sometimes make
GSurely a bit of controversy Ais part of the games appeal
DThe N, the N is for the numbskull who Gduring the boxing day game
Asks me what else Ai got for christmas besides my whistle
DAn afternoon with your wife mate
DThe O is for offside
GWhich many forwards tell me theAy simply could not have been
DThe P is for the penalty shootout
GGreat drama and Ano pressure on me
DQ is the quiet word i sometimes need to have
GWith some of the more fiery participants
AI usually choose the word 'pleat'
DR is for running backwards
GA difficult skill which the puAndits never seem to appreciate
DS is for the suggestion that i Gshould have awarded a card of some sort
ATo a player whos just been awarded a free kick
(mute the strings and strum)
Sorry i got all that wrong the S again
DOkay the S, the S is the suggestion that i should show a card to an opponent
GBy a player whos been awarded a free kick
AHe himself is more in danger of getting one for that
DT is for the 21 man brawl
GWhiuch is basically an embarrassing Ascene of pushing and shoving
DU is for the umpire which i sometimes wish I'd been instead
GYou never hear a cricket crAowd shouting whos the bastard in the hat
DThe V is for vitriol vilification vendetGta and volley of verbal abuse
ASome good bird noises there by the way
DW is for walter pidgeon
GWhos mr Griffiths in 'how green was my valley'
AI may have started to sound like during this song
D'where was the light i thought to see in your eye'
GHe says that to a young huw Aplayed by roddy McDowall
DThe X
GThe X represents the sarcastic kiss planted on my forehead by the swarthy
Apotugese center half
Whom i just dismissed
DThe Y is for Yate
GThe kind of town refAerees come from
DAnd the Z
GWell the Z could be for Zidane, AZico, Zola, Zubizaretta, Zoff
Even Zondervan
DBut is in fact for the zest with which we approach our work
GWithout this zest for the game we wouldn't become refs
AAnd without refs, well zero
DSee also Zatopek, Zeus
GAnd Zeal Monachorum
DI have a caravan there
GStatic naturally
A Detc...
(Wouldnt it be fun if the gave the ref a gun)
contiune the "D G A" until the end (although, if your like me when it comes to the end
you just press play and start it all again)
All chords in this song (3)
🎸 Tips from players
Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.
Chord Book
670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com
The Referees Alphabet
by Half Man Half Biscuit
Chords in this song · guitar
D
G
A
This one's just the same 3 chords played over and over again, execept the D which is
occasionaly slide up from a D flat chord(it just an extra detail that I haven transcribed,
I'm just saying incase your wondering, it doesn't make the utmost of differances)
Great and very (almost too) underratted band and one of their greatest songs
(note: the chord placings are approximate so are probably in the wrong place, but it's
easy enough to guess them as long as you know the chords)
(intros just the same chords for the verses: D, G, A)
D
The A is for my authority
G
Which many players seem to question,
A
Thinking they're somehow going to make me change my mind
D
B is for babies
G
Which a lot of managers cry like
A
After a decision has not gone their way
D G
C is for the continual criticism I recieve from the touchline
A
Get back in your technical area!
D
D is for the dunderheads
G
Who seem to think we have a conspiracy
A
Against their particular team
D
E is for the eery silence that echoes around the ground
G
After I've booked the home teams player
A
And it's obvious to everyone that he deserved it
D
F is the farce into which most games would descend if we werent there
G
The G is for the gnarled face of someone whos on 90,000 a week
A
And reckoned he should have had a throw in
D
H is for handball
G
Which has to be intentional and very rarely is
A
If only people would study the rules more
D
I is for innocence, pleaded by many a doe-eyed defender
G
After they've just scythed down that tricky winger
A
J is for ju-jitsu, which i quite intend to display given a dark alley
D
And some of the narky blerts ive encountered
G
K is for the kissing of the badge
A
How ridiculous that looks 6 months later when they're at another club
D G
L is for lip reading, at which you don't need to be an expert
A
To see how odious some people are
D
M is for the mistakes we sometimes make
G A
Surely a bit of controversy is part of the games appeal
D G
The N, the N is for the numbskull who during the boxing day game
A
Asks me what else i got for christmas besides my whistle
D
An afternoon with your wife mate
D
The O is for offside
G A
Which many forwards tell me they simply could not have been
D
The P is for the penalty shootout
G A
Great drama and no pressure on me
D
Q is the quiet word i sometimes need to have
G
With some of the more fiery participants
A
I usually choose the word 'pleat'
D
R is for running backwards
G A
A difficult skill which the pundits never seem to appreciate
D G
S is for the suggestion that i should have awarded a card of some sort
A
To a player whos just been awarded a free kick
(mute the strings and strum)
Sorry i got all that wrong the S again
D
Okay the S, the S is the suggestion that i should show a card to an opponent
G
By a player whos been awarded a free kick
A
He himself is more in danger of getting one for that
D
T is for the 21 man brawl
G A
Whiuch is basically an embarrassing scene of pushing and shoving
D
U is for the umpire which i sometimes wish I'd been instead
G A
You never hear a cricket crowd shouting whos the bastard in the hat
D G
The V is for vitriol vilification vendetta and volley of verbal abuse
A
Some good bird noises there by the way
D
W is for walter pidgeon
G
Whos mr Griffiths in 'how green was my valley'
A
I may have started to sound like during this song
D
'where was the light i thought to see in your eye'
G A
He says that to a young huw played by roddy McDowall
D
The X
G
The X represents the sarcastic kiss planted on my forehead by the swarthy
A
potugese center half
Whom i just dismissed
D
The Y is for Yate
G A
The kind of town referees come from
D
And the Z
G A
Well the Z could be for Zidane, Zico, Zola, Zubizaretta, Zoff
Even Zondervan
D
But is in fact for the zest with which we approach our work
G
Without this zest for the game we wouldn't become refs
A
And without refs, well zero
D
See also Zatopek, Zeus
G
And Zeal Monachorum
D
I have a caravan there
G
Static naturally
A D
etc...
(Wouldnt it be fun if the gave the ref a gun)
contiune the "D G A" until the end (although, if your like me when it comes to the end
you just press play and start it all again)
Get the free app — iPhone: The Chord Book on the App Store · Android: Free Chords on Google Play
Lyrics and compositions © their respective songwriters and publishers. Free for personal practice.
About The Referees Alphabet Chords by Half Man Half Biscuit
Learn how to play The Referees Alphabet by Half Man Half Biscuit with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Referees Alphabet chords”, “The Referees Alphabet guitar chords”, or “Half Man Half Biscuit The Referees Alphabet 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 The Referees Alphabet chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Referees Alphabet lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, A, B, C, E.
FAQ — The Referees Alphabet by Half Man Half Biscuit
How do I play "The Referees Alphabet" by Half Man Half Biscuit on guitar?
Open the free chords for "The Referees Alphabet" by Half Man Half Biscuit on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.
Are the chords for "The Referees Alphabet" by Half Man Half Biscuit free?
Yes. The chords for "The Referees Alphabet" by Half Man Half Biscuit are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.
Can I transpose "The Referees Alphabet" to a different key?
Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "The Referees Alphabet" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.
Can I see chord diagrams for "The Referees Alphabet"?
Yes. Tap any chord in "The Referees Alphabet" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.
Is "The Referees Alphabet" easy to play on guitar?
Many players learn "The Referees Alphabet" by Half Man Half Biscuit with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Half Man Half Biscuit below.
What key is "The Referees Alphabet" in?
The chords for "The Referees Alphabet" show the original chord names (including D, G, A, B, C, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.