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Basil

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Aminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Key: A Minor
Time: 6/8 with single 3/8 bars
CAPO: No
C/G..........................332010  
Dm/A.........................[x00231]
Fmaj7........................133210  
D9/F#........................[2x0210]
Bm7b5........................[x2323x]
|  C|  E7|  Am| % |
|  Am| % |
            (Am)               C/G      F  Dm/A  
My Saturday job pays six and six down
A copy boy at the ChrFonicle
Five cigarAmettes and two sC/Gilver half crFownsDm/A  
Meeting Vince at Mark TFoney’s in townDm/A  
Boy, do we Fget aroundAm  
            (Am)                C/G      F  Dm  
Basil sits there on the table for subs
But not a part of the BrFi-nylon club
Ancient blue swAmeater, too C/Gold for the jFob
Bored Dmout of his mind
With the CFolins and Bobs
I’m a jack and a lC/GadFmaj7  
And I’m up for the wCorldFmaj7  
And I’ve kissed a GCateshead gFirlAm  
   (Am)                          C/G      F  Dm  
He calls for a copy boy, grumpy as hell
Poets have to Feat as well
What he wouldn’t gAmive just to wCalk out todFayDm  
To have time to thFink about timeDm  
And young love thrFown away
I’m a jack and a lCadFmaj7  
And I’m up for the wCorldFmaj7  
And I’ve kissed a GCateshead gFirl
StFarlings swarming a clCoudE7  
Over GrAmainger Street
Over the blFack church
DmOver the BlCack GateE7  
                (Am)
And the shadowy Keep
|  Am|   D9/F#|   Bm7b5|  E7|
|   F| % |  C|  E7|
|  Am| % |
                     (Am)
He peers through his wire rims
At the fC/Gish and chip wFordsDm  
He’s supposed to dish Fup and forget
His drudgery nAmow has become Cslightly blFurred
By Dmone of his Players untipped Fcigarettes
Bury all jCoyFmaj7  
Put the poems in sCacksFmaj7  
And bury me hCere with the hFacks
|  Am|  Am7| % |  Am|
                  (Am)
In the summer the fair
Will stretch C/Gover the MFoor
LDm/Aovers will lie and make Fout in the park
Basil puts Amon his old dC/Guffel and scFarfDm/A  
And goes out intFo the dark
|  C|  Fmaj7|  C|  Fmaj7|
|  C|  F| % |
|  F|

All chords in this song (11)

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Basil

by Mark Knopfler

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C/G

Dm/A

Fmaj7

D9/F#

Bm7b5

Am7

Key: A Minor

Time: 6/8 with single 3/8 bars

CAPO: No

332010

C/G..........................

Dm/A.........................[x00231]

133210

Fmaj7........................

D9/F#........................[2x0210]

Bm7b5........................[x2323x]

C E7 Am

| | | | % |

| | % |

Am C/G F Dm/A

()

My Saturday job pays six and six down

A copy boy at the Chronicle

Am C/G F Dm/A

Five cigarettes and two silver half crowns

F Dm/A

Meeting Vince at Mark Toney’s in town

F Am

Boy, do we get around

Am C/G F Dm

()

Basil sits there on the table for subs

But not a part of the Bri-nylon club

Am C/G F

Ancient blue sweater, too old for the job

Bored out of his mind

With the Colins and Bobs

C/G Fmaj7

I’m a jack and a lad

C Fmaj7

And I’m up for the world

C F Am

And I’ve kissed a Gateshead girl

Am C/G F Dm

()

He calls for a copy boy, grumpy as hell

Poets have to eat as well

Am C F Dm

What he wouldn’t give just to walk out today

F Dm

To have time to think about time

And young love thrown away

C Fmaj7

I’m a jack and a lad

C Fmaj7

And I’m up for the world

C F

And I’ve kissed a Gateshead girl

F C E7

Starlings swarming a cloud

Over Grainger Street

Over the black church

Dm C E7

Over the Black Gate

()

And the shadowy Keep

Am D9/F# Bm7b5 E7

| | | | |

F C E7

| | % | | |

| | % |

()

He peers through his wire rims

C/G F Dm

At the fish and chip words

He’s supposed to dish up and forget

Am C F

His drudgery now has become slightly blurred

Dm F

By one of his Players untipped cigarettes

C Fmaj7

Bury all joy

C Fmaj7

Put the poems in sacks

C F

And bury me here with the hacks

Am Am7 Am

| | | % | |

()

In the summer the fair

C/G F

Will stretch over the Moor

Dm/A F

Lovers will lie and make out in the park

Am C/G F Dm/A

Basil puts on his old duffel and scarf

And goes out into the dark

C Fmaj7 C Fmaj7

| | | | |

C F

| | | % |

| |

About Basil Chords by Mark Knopfler

Learn how to play Basil by Mark Knopfler with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Basil chords”, “Basil guitar chords”, or “Mark Knopfler Basil 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 Basil chords and for experienced players who want accurate Basil lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, C/G, Dm/A, D9/F, C, E7.

FAQ — Basil by Mark Knopfler

How do I play "Basil" by Mark Knopfler on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Basil" to a different key?

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Can I see chord diagrams for "Basil"?

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Is "Basil" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Basil" in?

The chords for "Basil" show the original chord names (including A, C/G, Dm/A, D9/F, C, E7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.