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Forty Years

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Aminor

90BPM

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(On the 40th anniversary of the end of World War II)
[Verse 1]
EHere in BerlBin - Epeople line uCp to get GinC  G  
To Ewait for the Bend - Eliving in Cglorious GsinC  G  
ThEey've looked arBound - Eand now there is nCo looking baGckC  G  
To when Erivers ran rBed - Enow it's the sCky that grows bGlackC  G  
ShEadows are cBast as Etwo giants roam ovCer the eGarthC  G  
WEe light a mBatch - buEt what is that liCttle flame wGorthC  G  
[Chorus 1]
OAnce aF#mllies dDanced and sEang
But it was fAortBy yCears DagEo
E  B  E  C  G  C   G
[Verse 2]
EHere in DB.C. E- they talk about 'ECuro-diGsease'C  G  
AEnd how the FBrench Eare always so dCamn hard to pGleaseC  G  
MEotions are paBssed Ein Brussels but Cno one agrGeesC  G  
AEnd no one walks tBall E- but no-one gets dCown on their GkneesC  G  
[Chorus 2]
AOnce aF#mllies laDughed and dErank
But it was fAortBy Cyears aDgoE  
E  B  E  C  G  C  G
[Verse 3]
EWhere I come fBrom
EThey don't like ACmericans mGuchC  G  
EThey think they're so lBoud, Eso tasteless, and sCo out of tGouchC  G  
EStiff upper lBips Eare curled into pCermanent snGeersC  G  
ESelf-satisfBied
EAwaiting the nCext forty yGearsC  G  
[Chorus 3]
AOnce aF#mllies crDied and cEheered
But it was AforBty yCears DagEo
[Instrumental Outro]
  E    B    E    C   G    C    G[repeat anb fade]

All chords in this song (7)

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Forty Years

by Joe Jackson

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

(On the 40th anniversary of the end of World War II)

[Verse 1]

E B E C G C G

Here in Berlin - people line up to get in

E B E C G C G

To wait for the end - living in glorious sin

E B E C G C G

They've looked around - and now there is no looking back

E B E C G C G

To when rivers ran red - now it's the sky that grows black

E B E C G C G

Shadows are cast as two giants roam over the earth

E B E C G C G

We light a match - but what is that little flame worth

[Chorus 1]

A F#m D E

Once allies danced and sang

A B C D E

But it was forty years ago

E B E C G C G

[Verse 2]

E B E C G C G

Here in D.C. - they talk about 'Euro-disease'

E B E C G C G

And how the French are always so damn hard to please

E B E C G C G

Motions are passed in Brussels but no one agrees

E B E C G C G

And no one walks tall - but no-one gets down on their knees

[Chorus 2]

A F#m D E

Once allies laughed and drank

A B C D E

But it was forty years ago

E B E C G C G

[Verse 3]

E B

Where I come from

E C G C G

They don't like Americans much

E B E C G C G

They think they're so loud, so tasteless, and so out of touch

E B E C G C G

Stiff upper lips are curled into permanent sneers

E B

Self-satisfied

E C G C G

Awaiting the next forty years

[Chorus 3]

A F#m D E

Once allies cried and cheered

A B C D E

But it was forty years ago

[Instrumental Outro]

E B E C G C G

[repeat anb fade]

About Forty Years Chords by Joe Jackson

Learn how to play Forty Years by Joe Jackson with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Forty Years chords”, “Forty Years guitar chords”, or “Joe Jackson Forty Years 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 Forty Years chords and for experienced players who want accurate Forty Years lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, B, C, G, A, F#m.

FAQ — Forty Years by Joe Jackson

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The chords for "Forty Years" show the original chord names (including E, B, C, G, A, F#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.