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The Close Shave

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Dmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Verse 1]
Come Dgather round you diggers who Gwork the goldfields rDare,
It's Dof a trick was Gplayed on me which caused me to deAspair, 
I Dcame to town the other day me pGrecious gold to tArade, 
'Twas Dthere I met a Gpretty maid, who dAid my heart beDtray. 
[Chorus]
Her Glips were red as Droses, her eyes a deep sky Ablue, 
Her Dhair as yellow Gas the gold, she sAtole from me and Dyou.
[Verse 2]
We Dwent into a public house and Gthere we did imDbibe, 
In Dwhiskey and strong Gporter, and dreadful stuff beAsides, 
It's Dthen she asked me up to bed, to Gwhich I did aAgree, 
But Dtruth to tell I fGell asleep, beAfore she earned her Dfee. 
[Chorus]
Her Glips were red as Droses, her eyes a deep sky Ablue, 
Her Dhair as yellow Gas the gold, she sAtole from me and Dyou.
[Verse 3]
When DI awoke next morning, no Gtrousers could I Dfind, 
But Dscattered all aGround the room were women's clothes so Afine. 
My Djacket, shoes and gold had gone, and aGll that's left beAhind,
Is a Dwoman's dress, a Gyellow wig and a sAhaving kit, not Dmine.
[Chorus]
Her Glips were red as Droses, her eyes a deep sky Ablue, 
Her Dhair as yellow Gas the gold, she sAtole from me and Dyou.
[Verse 4]
Why Ddid she need the wig? Why Gdid she need to Dshave? 
It's Dthen the truth it Gstruck me, in a fit of blinding rAage. 
My Dpretty maid's a man I cried, Gthanks be I fell aAsleep, 
I'd Drather lose a Gbag of gold, than Awake up with that Dcreep. 
[Chorus]
Her Glips were red as Droses, her eyes a deep sky Ablue, 
Her Dhair as yellow Gas the gold, she sAtole from me and Dyou.
[Verse 5]
To Dventure in the street again, I Gcautiously inDclined, 
I Dhad a shave, put Gon the wig, and wore the dress so Afine, 
And Das I walked along the street, a Gdigger gave a Awink. 
I Dthought of all the Ggold he had, and oAffered him a Ddrink. 
[Chorus]
Her Glips were red as Droses, her eyes a deep sky Ablue, 
Her Dhair as yellow Gas the gold, she sAtole from me and Dyou.
[Verse 6]
Now Dyou may think it sinful, oh Gyou may think it Dbold, 
To Dtake advantage Gof the lads who struggle for the Agold. 
It's Deasy putting on a dress and Gdrinking whiskey Aneat, 
But Dleave your shaving Gkit behind when Athey are fast Dasleep.
[Chorus]
Her Glips were red as Droses, her eyes a deep sky Ablue, 
Her Dhair as yellow Gas the gold, she sAtole from me and Dyou.

All chords in this song (3)

Open

XXO232

Major chord - Happy, bright sound

✕ Mute Open Press

Skill · find home

D major

This chord is home. When a line ends, land here.

The Close Shave

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The Close Shave

by Andy Irvine

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

D G D

Come gather round you diggers who work the goldfields rare,

D G A

It's of a trick was played on me which caused me to despair,

D G A

I came to town the other day me precious gold to trade,

D G A D

'Twas there I met a pretty maid, who did my heart betray.

[Chorus]

G D A

Her lips were red as roses, her eyes a deep sky blue,

D G A D

Her hair as yellow as the gold, she stole from me and you.

[Verse 2]

D G D

We went into a public house and there we did imbibe,

D G A

In whiskey and strong porter, and dreadful stuff besides,

D G A

It's then she asked me up to bed, to which I did agree,

D G A D

But truth to tell I fell asleep, before she earned her fee.

[Chorus]

G D A

Her lips were red as roses, her eyes a deep sky blue,

D G A D

Her hair as yellow as the gold, she stole from me and you.

[Verse 3]

D G D

When I awoke next morning, no trousers could I find,

D G A

But scattered all around the room were women's clothes so fine.

D G A

My jacket, shoes and gold had gone, and all that's left behind,

D G A D

Is a woman's dress, a yellow wig and a shaving kit, not mine.

[Chorus]

G D A

Her lips were red as roses, her eyes a deep sky blue,

D G A D

Her hair as yellow as the gold, she stole from me and you.

[Verse 4]

D G D

Why did she need the wig? Why did she need to shave?

D G A

It's then the truth it struck me, in a fit of blinding rage.

D G A

My pretty maid's a man I cried, thanks be I fell asleep,

D G A D

I'd rather lose a bag of gold, than wake up with that creep.

[Chorus]

G D A

Her lips were red as roses, her eyes a deep sky blue,

D G A D

Her hair as yellow as the gold, she stole from me and you.

[Verse 5]

D G D

To venture in the street again, I cautiously inclined,

D G A

I had a shave, put on the wig, and wore the dress so fine,

D G A

And as I walked along the street, a digger gave a wink.

D G A D

I thought of all the gold he had, and offered him a drink.

[Chorus]

G D A

Her lips were red as roses, her eyes a deep sky blue,

D G A D

Her hair as yellow as the gold, she stole from me and you.

[Verse 6]

D G D

Now you may think it sinful, oh you may think it bold,

D G A

To take advantage of the lads who struggle for the gold.

D G A

It's easy putting on a dress and drinking whiskey neat,

D G A D

But leave your shaving kit behind when they are fast asleep.

[Chorus]

G D A

Her lips were red as roses, her eyes a deep sky blue,

D G A D

Her hair as yellow as the gold, she stole from me and you.

About The Close Shave Chords by Andy Irvine

Learn how to play The Close Shave by Andy Irvine with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Close Shave chords”, “The Close Shave guitar chords”, or “Andy Irvine The Close Shave 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 Close Shave chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Close Shave lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, A.

FAQ — The Close Shave by Andy Irvine

How do I play "The Close Shave" by Andy Irvine on guitar?

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Are the chords for "The Close Shave" by Andy Irvine free?

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Can I transpose "The Close Shave" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Close Shave"?

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

Is "The Close Shave" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Close Shave" by Andy Irvine with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Andy Irvine below.

What key is "The Close Shave" in?

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