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The Centurion

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Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

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Tuning = Standard
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CAPO 2nd FRET
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VERSE 1 - No Chord
I was born in Nineteen-hundred, Victoria was queen 
The first of seven children, only three made sweet sixteen 
It was hard but it was happy, it was roses around the door 
'Till we all saluted father, as he went of to the war 
I was tea boy in the factory the day the news arrived 
Making mother one more widow, but together we survived 
Now the century's near over, I've watched it wax and wane
And as I recall it all in all, it's a life I'd live again 
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VERSE 2
At 18 I was courting, Mary filled my heart with Cpride 
Twenty saw us Dmarried, stepping out there side by Gside 
The work was never easy, but we did it day by Cday 
Saving ha'pennies and Dfarthings 'til we'd ten pounds put aGway 
Then the Cslump took jobs and Gsavings, I Chad a lot of Gtime 
So I Clearned the old mouth Gorgan, "Buddy, Fcan you spare a Ddime
Now the Gcentury's near over, I've watched it wax and Cwane 
And as DI recall it all in all, it's a life I'd live aGgain D  G  
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VERSE 3
Two sons fast a-growing, Nineteen-twenty-Cfive
Mary Dwanted so a daughter, but her health it didn't Gthrive 
She died that distant summer, but our daughter made it Cthrough 
UnDtil the influenza took her at the age of Gtwo 
In the CThirties I was Gbusy, like all Cother folk deGprived 
Picking Ccoal from off the Gslagheaps, my two Fsons and me surDvived 
Now the Gcentury's near over, I've watched it wax and Cwane 
And as DI recall it all in all, it's a life I'd live aGgain D  G  
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VERSE 4
Thirty-six and I met Lucy, we were married in the Cspring 
The Dboys were new apprenticed and we didn't fear a Gthing
It was hard but it was happy, it was roses around the Cdoor 
'Til we Dboth saluted my sons as they went off to the Gwar
And I Clost one in the Gnavy, a Cconvoy in the GMed 
Once aCgain for king and Gcountry, our name Fnumbered with the Ddead 
Now the Gcentury's near over, I've watched it wax and Cwane 
And as DI recall it all in all, it's a life I'd live aGgain D  G  
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VERSE 5
The other lad was lucky, and in Nineteen-forty-Cfive
Me and DLucy lit a candle, giving thanks he was aGlive 
I turned Fifty then and wondered what the future held in Cstore 
I'd Dwork on to the pension if we all avoided Gwar 
Soon my Cson walked down the Gaisle with a Csweet girl as his Gbride 
And she Cmade me think of GMary as she Fstood there by his Dside 
Now the Gcentury's near over, I've watched it wax and Cwane 
And as DI recall it all in all, it's a life I'd live aGgain D  G  
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VERSE 6
I retired in the 60's, the bungalow downCtown 
Did the Dgardening with Lucy 'til the years just wore her Gdown 
I lost her then with sorrow, but remember her with Cjoy
And I'll Dtake her flowers tomorrow when I go there with the Gboy 
For he Cis a fine great-Ggrandson, wears his Ccap the wrong way Ground 
And what CI bought with a Gfarthing, seems to Fcost this kid a Dpound 
And he Gasks me have I really, really lived the centuCry 
And I Dwink and whisper ‘nearly’, and that's good enough for Gme 
The first of seven children, only three made sweet sixteenG  
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OUTRO
G
C  D    G
C  D    G
C  D    G

All chords in this song (4)

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The Centurion

by Harvey Andrews

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

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Tuning = Standard

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CAPO 2nd FRET

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VERSE 1 - No Chord

I was born in Nineteen-hundred, Victoria was queen

The first of seven children, only three made sweet sixteen

It was hard but it was happy, it was roses around the door

'Till we all saluted father, as he went of to the war

I was tea boy in the factory the day the news arrived

Making mother one more widow, but together we survived

Now the century's near over, I've watched it wax and wane

And as I recall it all in all, it's a life I'd live again

---------------------------

VERSE 2

At 18 I was courting, Mary filled my heart with pride

D G

Twenty saw us married, stepping out there side by side

The work was never easy, but we did it day by day

D G

Saving ha'pennies and farthings 'til we'd ten pounds put away

C G C G

Then the slump took jobs and savings, I had a lot of time

C G F D

So I learned the old mouth organ, "Buddy, can you spare a dime

G C

Now the century's near over, I've watched it wax and wane

D G D G

And as I recall it all in all, it's a life I'd live again

---------------------------

VERSE 3

Two sons fast a-growing, Nineteen-twenty-five

D G

Mary wanted so a daughter, but her health it didn't thrive

She died that distant summer, but our daughter made it through

D G

Until the influenza took her at the age of two

C G C G

In the Thirties I was busy, like all other folk deprived

C G F D

Picking coal from off the slagheaps, my two sons and me survived

G C

Now the century's near over, I've watched it wax and wane

D G D G

And as I recall it all in all, it's a life I'd live again

---------------------------

VERSE 4

Thirty-six and I met Lucy, we were married in the spring

D G

The boys were new apprenticed and we didn't fear a thing

It was hard but it was happy, it was roses around the door

D G

'Til we both saluted my sons as they went off to the war

C G C G

And I lost one in the navy, a convoy in the Med

C G F D

Once again for king and country, our name numbered with the dead

G C

Now the century's near over, I've watched it wax and wane

D G D G

And as I recall it all in all, it's a life I'd live again

---------------------------

VERSE 5

The other lad was lucky, and in Nineteen-forty-five

D G

Me and Lucy lit a candle, giving thanks he was alive

I turned Fifty then and wondered what the future held in store

D G

I'd work on to the pension if we all avoided war

C G C G

Soon my son walked down the aisle with a sweet girl as his bride

C G F D

And she made me think of Mary as she stood there by his side

G C

Now the century's near over, I've watched it wax and wane

D G D G

And as I recall it all in all, it's a life I'd live again

---------------------------

VERSE 6

I retired in the 60's, the bungalow downtown

D G

Did the gardening with Lucy 'til the years just wore her down

I lost her then with sorrow, but remember her with joy

D G

And I'll take her flowers tomorrow when I go there with the boy

C G C G

For he is a fine great-grandson, wears his cap the wrong way round

C G F D

And what I bought with a farthing, seems to cost this kid a pound

G C

And he asks me have I really, really lived the century

D G

And I wink and whisper ‘nearly’, and that's good enough for me

The first of seven children, only three made sweet sixteen

---------------------------

OUTRO

C D G

About The Centurion Chords by Harvey Andrews

Learn how to play The Centurion by Harvey Andrews with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Centurion chords”, “The Centurion guitar chords”, or “Harvey Andrews The Centurion 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 Centurion chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Centurion lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, D, G, F.

FAQ — The Centurion by Harvey Andrews

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