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Tripwire

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Emajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

F#m sounds better with this fingering:
e ---2---
B ---2---
G ---2---
D ---x----
A ---x-----
E ---x-----
Intro:  E   C#m   F#m  B7  
EJust because you don’t speak the laC#mnguage
F#mDoesn’t mean that you can’t understandB7  
EJust because you don’t speak the laC#mnguage
F#mDoesn’t mean that you can’t understandB7  
EThe twist in the script of the insultC#m  
F#mScrawled on the back of your handB7  
ETorn from the pages of scriptureC#m  
F#mSprayed on the wall in the fB7rays of a flag
EKisses forbidden on lipsC#m  
F#mAnd all of your fine clothes worn into B7rags
ETripwire, tripC#mwire, tripF#mwire, tripB7wire
EThere’s a tripwire
C#mTripwire, F#mtripwire, tB7ripwire
EDon’t open the door ‘cause theyC#m’re coming
F#mDon’t open the door ‘cause thB7ey’re here
EAbove there’s an ominous hummingC#m  
F#mBelow there’s a murmur of prayerB7  
ETorn from the pages of scandalC#m  
F#mSprayed on a wall in the frays of B7the flag
EKisses forbidden on lipsC#m  
F#mand all of your fine clothes blown into B7rags
ETripwire, tripC#mwire, tripF#mwire, tripB7wire
EThere’s a tripwire
C#mTripwire, F#mtripwire, tB7ripwire
EThere’s a cross in the line there’s a circus
EThere’s a voice that you might overhear
EThere’s a lens making the picture perfect
EThey say you have nothing to fear
ETorn from the pages of pamphletsC#m  
F#mThrown in the air like confettB7i in church
EFar, far away there’s a targetC#m  
F#mand the sound of an army just startinB7g to march
ETripwire, tripC#mwire, tripF#mwire, tripB7wire
EThere’s a tripwire
C#mTripwire, F#mtripwire, tB7ripwire
EJust because I don’t read the lC#manguage
F#mDoesn’t mean that I'm blinB7d to the threat
EThough I thought there was more to forgivenessC#m  
F#mThan all we conveniently forgetB7  
ETorn from the pages of historyC#m  
F#mRepeated again and again anB7d again
EYou’re either for or against uC#ms
F#mand that is how the hatred B7begins
(repeat 2 or 3 times and fade, or play twice and finish with an E)
ETripwire, tripC#mwire, tripF#mwire, tripB7wire
EThere’s a tripwire
C#mTripwire, F#mtripwire, tB7ripwire

All chords in this song (4)

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Tripwire

by Elvis Costello

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

F#m

F#m sounds better with this fingering:

e ---2---

B ---2---

G ---2---

D ---x----

A ---x-----

E ---x-----

E C#m F#m B7

Intro:

E C#m

Just because you don’t speak the language

F#m B7

Doesn’t mean that you can’t understand

E C#m

Just because you don’t speak the language

F#m B7

Doesn’t mean that you can’t understand

E C#m

The twist in the script of the insult

F#m B7

Scrawled on the back of your hand

E C#m

Torn from the pages of scripture

F#m B7

Sprayed on the wall in the frays of a flag

E C#m

Kisses forbidden on lips

F#m B7

And all of your fine clothes worn into rags

E C#m F#m B7

Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire, tripwire

There’s a tripwire

C#m F#m B7

Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire

E C#m

Don’t open the door ‘cause they’re coming

F#m B7

Don’t open the door ‘cause they’re here

E C#m

Above there’s an ominous humming

F#m B7

Below there’s a murmur of prayer

E C#m

Torn from the pages of scandal

F#m B7

Sprayed on a wall in the frays of the flag

E C#m

Kisses forbidden on lips

F#m B7

and all of your fine clothes blown into rags

E C#m F#m B7

Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire, tripwire

There’s a tripwire

C#m F#m B7

Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire

There’s a cross in the line there’s a circus

There’s a voice that you might overhear

There’s a lens making the picture perfect

They say you have nothing to fear

E C#m

Torn from the pages of pamphlets

F#m B7

Thrown in the air like confetti in church

E C#m

Far, far away there’s a target

F#m B7

and the sound of an army just starting to march

E C#m F#m B7

Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire, tripwire

There’s a tripwire

C#m F#m B7

Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire

E C#m

Just because I don’t read the language

F#m B7

Doesn’t mean that I'm blind to the threat

E C#m

Though I thought there was more to forgiveness

F#m B7

Than all we conveniently forget

E C#m

Torn from the pages of history

F#m B7

Repeated again and again and again

E C#m

You’re either for or against us

F#m B7

and that is how the hatred begins

(repeat 2 or 3 times and fade, or play twice and finish with an E)

E C#m F#m B7

Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire, tripwire

There’s a tripwire

C#m F#m B7

Tripwire, tripwire, tripwire

About Tripwire Chords by Elvis Costello

Learn how to play Tripwire by Elvis Costello with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Tripwire chords”, “Tripwire guitar chords”, or “Elvis Costello Tripwire 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 Tripwire chords and for experienced players who want accurate Tripwire lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F#m, B, G, D, A, E.

FAQ — Tripwire by Elvis Costello

How do I play "Tripwire" by Elvis Costello on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Tripwire" by Elvis Costello free?

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Can I transpose "Tripwire" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Tripwire" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Tripwire"?

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

Is "Tripwire" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Tripwire" by Elvis Costello with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Elvis Costello below.

What key is "Tripwire" in?

The chords for "Tripwire" show the original chord names (including F#m, B, G, D, A, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.