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Ben Franklins Song

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[Intro]
G  C  G  C
[Verse 1]
ElecGtricity, yeah you can all thank me
Took some liCghtning, a kite, and a fat brass kAmey
And they’re Bmputting up street lights in gay CParis
You’re Amwelcome from oDur young nGationC  
I’m the oGnly American the French wanna see
They cCall me a genius, I can’t disagAmree
They have Bmguns, they have funds, they can set us Cfree
InAmvest in mDy reputGation
[Chorus 1]
And do you Amknow who the fuck I am?
Yeah do you Cknow who the fuck I am?
Do you Amknow who the fuck I am?
I am CPoor-Richard's-Almanack-writing Benjamin fucking FrankGlinC  
[Verse 2]
I said Gearly to bed, bitches, early to rise
They mCake a man healthy, wealthy and wAmise
And Bmsoldiers are fighting for freedom, they have no Csupplies
So diAmplomacy hDappens at niGght
John GAdams debates at the gates of Versailles
Ay, he whCines and berates and awaits a repAmly
As BmI stay up late with a succulent breast or a Cthigh
Alright, diAmplomacy hDappens at niGght
[Chorus 2]
And do you Amknow who the fuck I am?
Yeah do you Cknow who the fuck I am?
Do you Amknow who the fuck I am?
I am Cseventy-six-and-I’ll-still-kick-your-ass fucking FrankGlin
[Bridge]
EmOne pain that lingers, the hitch in my Cstride
Is my Emson back at home who I could not gCuide
Who Bmsits alone in a prison cell on the wrong Cside
AmStands against oDur young naGtionC  
[Verse 3]
So I Gplay my ambassador part with pride
I am kCnown in the world, and the world is wAmide
To my Bmchildren, my sins may be magnified, but I'Cd
Do it Amall again, Dno hesiGtation
[Chorus 3]
And do you Amknow who the fuck I am?
Yeah do you Cknow who the fuck I am?
Do you Amknow who the fuck I am?
                                                         C(Am)
I am Poor-Richard's-Almanack-writing Benjamin fucking Franklin
[Outro]
(Do you Amknow who the fuck I am?) who the fuck I am?
(Do you Cknow who the fuck I am?) who the fuck I am?
(Do you Amknow who the fuck I am?)
I am CPoor-Richard's-Almanack-writing, Ampolymath, bifocal-wearing
EmHarp and glass harmonica-playing BbBenjamin fucking FrankGlin

All chords in this song (7)

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Ben Franklins Song

by The Decemberists

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

G C G C

[Verse 1]

Electricity, yeah you can all thank me

C Am

Took some lightning, a kite, and a fat brass key

Bm C

And they’re putting up street lights in gay Paris

Am D G C

You’re welcome from our young nation

I’m the only American the French wanna see

C Am

They call me a genius, I can’t disagree

Bm C

They have guns, they have funds, they can set us free

Am D G

Invest in my reputation

[Chorus 1]

And do you know who the fuck I am?

Yeah do you know who the fuck I am?

Do you know who the fuck I am?

C G C

I am Poor-Richard's-Almanack-writing Benjamin fucking Franklin

[Verse 2]

I said early to bed, bitches, early to rise

C Am

They make a man healthy, wealthy and wise

Bm C

And soldiers are fighting for freedom, they have no supplies

Am D G

So diplomacy happens at night

John Adams debates at the gates of Versailles

C Am

Ay, he whines and berates and awaits a reply

Bm C

As I stay up late with a succulent breast or a thigh

Am D G

Alright, diplomacy happens at night

[Chorus 2]

And do you know who the fuck I am?

Yeah do you know who the fuck I am?

Do you know who the fuck I am?

C G

I am seventy-six-and-I’ll-still-kick-your-ass fucking Franklin

[Bridge]

Em C

One pain that lingers, the hitch in my stride

Em C

Is my son back at home who I could not guide

Bm C

Who sits alone in a prison cell on the wrong side

Am D G C

Stands against our young nation

[Verse 3]

So I play my ambassador part with pride

C Am

I am known in the world, and the world is wide

Bm C

To my children, my sins may be magnified, but I'd

Am D G

Do it all again, no hesitation

[Chorus 3]

And do you know who the fuck I am?

Yeah do you know who the fuck I am?

Do you know who the fuck I am?

C Am

()

I am Poor-Richard's-Almanack-writing Benjamin fucking Franklin

[Outro]

(Do you know who the fuck I am?) who the fuck I am?

(Do you know who the fuck I am?)

C Am

I am Poor-Richard's-Almanack-writing, polymath, bifocal-wearing

Em Bb G

Harp and glass harmonica-playing Benjamin fucking Franklin

About Ben Franklins Song Chords by The Decemberists

Learn how to play Ben Franklins Song by The Decemberists with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Ben Franklins Song chords”, “Ben Franklins Song guitar chords”, or “The Decemberists Ben Franklins Song 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 Ben Franklins Song chords and for experienced players who want accurate Ben Franklins Song lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, Am, Bm, D, Em.

FAQ — Ben Franklins Song by The Decemberists

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