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The Joke

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Eminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Islands - The Joke
Standard Tuning 
Capo 3 (transpose +3 for no capo)
[Intro]
Em Em Em Em C Am
Em Em Em Em D C
Em Em Em Em C Am
Em Em Em Em D C
Em Em Em Em
[Verse 1]
EmThis isn't a dream don't know why you don't care
EmSee your face in a photograph, you say you weren't there
You saCy, "I wasn't therAme,"
You say, "I wasn't therEme."
EmThis is a storm and this is the warning
EmThis is a war and this is it forming
CStill feels like no one Amcares
Still feels like no one Emcares
[Pre-chorus]
CAnything you wanna keep
BOtherwise go back to sD#leepEm  
[Chorus]
EmThere's some Bmthings we don't Cwant to Amsee
WhilEme the world Bmburns we Cwarm our Amfeet
GOld men in Embed by ten, the Cjoke's on Amme
EmNothing left Bmnow but a Cmemory
Em Em Em Em C Am
Em Em Em Em D C
Em Em
[Verse 2]
EmShot by the pig with the badge and the gun
EmKilled by an elephant, and not just the one
CMaybe we should burn it Amdown
We should burn you Emdown
EmPoor little pharmacy who lit in a fire
EmMister commissioner why don't you retire?
We're gonna Cburn it Amdown
We're gonna burn it all Emdown
[Pre-chorus]
CAnything you wanna keep
BOtherwise go back to sD#leepEm  
[Chorus 2]
EmThere's some Bmthings we don't Cwant to Amsee
WhilEme the world Bmburns we Cwarm our Amfeet
GOld men in Embed by ten, the Cjoke's on Amme
EmThere's some Bmthings we don't Cwant to Amsee
WhilEme the world Bmburns we Cwarm our Amfeet
GOld men in Embed by ten, the Cjoke's on Amme
EmNothing Bmbut a Cmemory
[Guitar Solo] (must be tabbed, this is a rhythm part)
Em Em Em Am
Em Em Em Am
Em Em Em Am
Em Em Em Am
[Outro]
Em Bm C Am
Em Bm C Am
Em Bm C Am
Em Bm C Am
Em C Em C Em C Em C
Em C Em C Em C Em C
Em

All chords in this song (8)

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The Joke

by Islands

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 3 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Islands - The Joke

Standard Tuning

Capo 3 (transpose +3 for no capo)

[Intro]

Em Em Em Em C Am

Em Em Em Em D C

Em Em Em Em C Am

Em Em Em Em D C

Em Em Em Em

[Verse 1]

This isn't a dream don't know why you don't care

See your face in a photograph, you say you weren't there

C Am

You say, "I wasn't there,"

You say, "I wasn't there."

This is a storm and this is the warning

This is a war and this is it forming

C Am

Still feels like no one cares

[Pre-chorus]

Anything you wanna keep

B D# Em

Otherwise go back to sleep

[Chorus]

Em Bm C Am

There's some things we don't want to see

Em Bm C Am

While the world burns we warm our feet

G Em C Am

Old men in bed by ten, the joke's on me

Em Bm C

Nothing left now but a memory

Em Em Em Em C Am

Em Em Em Em D C

Em Em

[Verse 2]

Shot by the pig with the badge and the gun

Killed by an elephant, and not just the one

C Am

Maybe we should burn it down

We should burn you down

Poor little pharmacy who lit in a fire

Mister commissioner why don't you retire?

C Am

We're gonna burn it down

We're gonna burn it all down

[Pre-chorus]

Anything you wanna keep

B D# Em

Otherwise go back to sleep

[Chorus 2]

Em Bm C Am

There's some things we don't want to see

Em Bm C Am

While the world burns we warm our feet

G Em C Am

Old men in bed by ten, the joke's on me

Em Bm C Am

There's some things we don't want to see

Em Bm C Am

While the world burns we warm our feet

G Em C Am

Old men in bed by ten, the joke's on me

Em Bm C

Nothing but a memory

[Guitar Solo] (must be tabbed, this is a rhythm part)

Em Em Em Am

[Outro]

Em Bm C Am

Em C Em C Em C Em C

About The Joke Chords by Islands

Learn how to play The Joke by Islands with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Joke chords”, “The Joke guitar chords”, or “Islands The Joke 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 Joke chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Joke lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, C, Am, D, B, D#.

FAQ — The Joke by Islands

How do I play "The Joke" by Islands on guitar?

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Can I transpose "The Joke" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Joke"?

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

Is "The Joke" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "The Joke" in?

The chords for "The Joke" show the original chord names (including Em, C, Am, D, B, D#). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.