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Pidgin English

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Pidgin English
By Elvis Costello
From the album: Imperial Bedroom
INTRO:
D D7 G D D7 G
DThere's a young girl with her D7old man who's Gtoo sick to Dmention
She'll be Dturning twenty seD7ven as she Gdraws her widow's Dpension
But he Dcouldn't catch a D7common cold he Gcouldn't get arresDted
Too Dterrified to D7answer back
Too Gtired to have resD7isted
GMany hands make Clight work
ShortGhand makes life easy
When he's out on Cnight work
Make Gsure no one sees me
It Dall ends up in a slanging match with body talk and bruises
A A7change is better than a rest
Silly beggars can't be choosers
CHORUS:
GOne of a thousand pities you can't Dcategorize
There are Gten comAmandments of Bmlove
GWhen will you Drealise
There are ten commandments of love
AI believe, I trust, I promise, I Gwish love's just a Emthrowaway Em7kiss
DIn this Pidgin English
If you're so wise use your lips and your eyes
Take it to the bridge she Csighs
DYou go cheep cheep D7cheep between bullsG-eyes and Dbluster
DStiff as your poD7ker face
GKeener than musDtard
From your Down back D7yard to the Gland of exDotica
From the Dtruth socD7iety to neurGotic eroD7tica
GSilence is golCden
Money talks Gdiamonds and ermine
There's a Gword in CSpanish
ItaGlian and German
In Dsign language, morse code, semaphore and gibberish
Have A7you forgotten how to say it
In your Pidgin English?
(chorus)
DPS I love you
(and so on . . . )

All chords in this song (9)

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Pidgin English

by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Em7

Pidgin English

By Elvis Costello

From the album: Imperial Bedroom

INTRO:

D D7 G D D7 G

D D7 G D

There's a young girl with her old man who's too sick to mention

D D7 G D

She'll be turning twenty seven as she draws her widow's pension

D D7 G D

But he couldn't catch a common cold he couldn't get arrested

D D7

Too terrified to answer back

G D7

Too tired to have resisted

G C

Many hands make light work

Shorthand makes life easy

When he's out on night work

Make sure no one sees me

It all ends up in a slanging match with body talk and bruises

A change is better than a rest

Silly beggars can't be choosers

CHORUS:

G D

One of a thousand pities you can't categorize

G A Bm

There are ten commandments of love

G D

When will you realise

There are ten commandments of love

A G Em Em7

I believe, I trust, I promise, I wish love's just a throwaway kiss

In this Pidgin English

If you're so wise use your lips and your eyes

Take it to the bridge she sighs

D D7 G D

You go cheep cheep cheep between bulls-eyes and bluster

D D7

Stiff as your poker face

G D

Keener than mustard

D D7 G D

From your own back yard to the land of exotica

D D7 G D7

From the truth society to neurotic erotica

G C

Silence is golden

Money talks diamonds and ermine

G C

There's a word in Spanish

Italian and German

In sign language, morse code, semaphore and gibberish

Have you forgotten how to say it

In your Pidgin English?

(chorus)

PS I love you

(and so on . . . )

About Pidgin English Chords by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Learn how to play Pidgin English by Elvis Costello & The Attractions with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Pidgin English chords”, “Pidgin English guitar chords”, or “Elvis Costello & The Attractions Pidgin English 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 Pidgin English chords and for experienced players who want accurate Pidgin English lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, D7, G, C, A7, A.

FAQ — Pidgin English by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

How do I play "Pidgin English" by Elvis Costello & The Attractions on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Pidgin English" by Elvis Costello & The Attractions on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Pidgin English" by Elvis Costello & The Attractions free?

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Can I transpose "Pidgin English" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Pidgin English"?

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

Is "Pidgin English" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Pidgin English" by Elvis Costello & The Attractions with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Elvis Costello & The Attractions below.

What key is "Pidgin English" in?

The chords for "Pidgin English" show the original chord names (including D, D7, G, C, A7, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.