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The Birthday

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THE IDLE RACE - "THE BIRTHDAY" (Track 03 from THE BIRTHDAY PARTY, 1968)
INTRO:    Gm    Cm[x2]
(Something like this):
D  -----3--2-----1--0--------  ]
A  -----------3--------1--3--  ]  [x2]
E  --3-----------------------  ]
VERSE:
GmShe had a birthday yCmesterday, she crGmied.Cm  
GmTook off her glasses, Cmlet her hair down, cGmriedCm.
    Gm...
D --------0--3--1--
A -----1-----------
E --3--------------
CHORUS:
EbShe told them all at wFork about the Bbday.Dm  
EbHow it is nFo-one came?
GmWo-oh Cmwoh, oh Cmwoh-Gmoh
(INTRO):    Gm    Cm[x2]
VERSE:
GmShe sent the inviCmtations to her frGmiendCms.
GmThey were too busy dCmoing other tGmhingCms.
    Gm...
D --------0--3--1--
A -----1-----------
E --3--------------
CHORUS:
EbShe told them all at wFork about the dBbay.Dm  
EbHow it is nFo-one came?
GmWo-oh Cmwoh, oh Cmwoh-Gmoh
(INTRO):    Gm    Cm[x2]
VERSE:
GmShe took the decorCmations from the wGmall.Cm  
GmWas it the ladder lCmoose that made her fGmall? Cm  
    Gm...
D --------0--3--1--
A -----1-----------
E --3--------------
CHORUS:
EbShe told them all at wFork about the dBbay.Dm  
EbHow it is nFo-one came?
GmWo-oh Cmwoh, oh Cmwoh-Gmoh
GmShe had a birthday yCmesterday, she crGmied.Cm  
(INTRO):  Gm  Cm  [x7]  fade out
J.W.H.

All chords in this song (6)

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The Birthday

by The Idle Race

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

THE IDLE RACE - "THE BIRTHDAY" (Track 03 from THE BIRTHDAY PARTY, 1968)

Gm Cm

INTRO: [x2]

(Something like this):

D -----3--2-----1--0-------- ]

A -----------3--------1--3-- ] [x2]

E --3----------------------- ]

VERSE:

Gm Cm Gm Cm

She had a birthday yesterday, she cried.

Gm Cm Gm Cm

Took off her glasses, let her hair down, cried.

Gm...

D --------0--3--1--

A -----1-----------

E --3--------------

CHORUS:

Eb F Bb Dm

She told them all at work about the day.

Eb F

How it is no-one came?

Gm Cm Cm Gm

Wo-oh woh, oh woh-oh

Gm Cm

(INTRO): [x2]

VERSE:

Gm Cm Gm Cm

She sent the invitations to her friends.

Gm Cm Gm Cm

They were too busy doing other things.

Gm...

D --------0--3--1--

A -----1-----------

E --3--------------

CHORUS:

Eb F Bb Dm

She told them all at work about the day.

Eb F

How it is no-one came?

Gm Cm Cm Gm

Wo-oh woh, oh woh-oh

Gm Cm

(INTRO): [x2]

VERSE:

Gm Cm Gm Cm

She took the decorations from the wall.

Gm Cm Gm Cm

Was it the ladder loose that made her fall?

Gm...

D --------0--3--1--

A -----1-----------

E --3--------------

CHORUS:

Eb F Bb Dm

She told them all at work about the day.

Eb F

How it is no-one came?

Gm Cm Cm Gm

Wo-oh woh, oh woh-oh

Gm Cm Gm Cm

She had a birthday yesterday, she cried.

(INTRO): Gm Cm [x7] fade out

J.W.H.

About The Birthday Chords by The Idle Race

Learn how to play The Birthday by The Idle Race with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Birthday chords”, “The Birthday guitar chords”, or “The Idle Race The Birthday 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 Birthday chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Birthday lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Gm, Cm, D, A, E, Eb.

FAQ — The Birthday by The Idle Race

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

Is "The Birthday" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Birthday" in?

The chords for "The Birthday" show the original chord names (including Gm, Cm, D, A, E, Eb). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.