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Shipbuilding

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Shipbuilding
------------
Elvis Costello, Clive Langer
From EC's _Punch the Clock_
(P) 1983
The Robert Wyatt version from 1982 is very much the same, only shorter.
The key is transposed two and a half tones up, his version is in Am.
Lyrics are from the _Punch the Clock_ inner sleeve
Am:    x-0-2-2-1-0
C:     x-3-2-0-1-0
D:     x-x-0-2-3-2   On most of the song:  x-5-7-7-7-5
Dm:    x-x-0-2-3-1   But may also be:      x-5-7-7-6-5
Em:    0-2-2-0-0-0   On the first times:   x-x-2-0-0-0
Em/D#: x-x-1-0-0-0
Em/D:  x-x-0-0-0-0
G:     3-5-5-4-3-3
C#dim: x-x-2-3-2-3   Also fits:       A7:  x-0-2-0-2-0
Cm7:   x-3-5-3-4-3
Cmaj7: x-3-5-4-5-3   Easier to play:       x-3-2-0-0-0
G7:    3-5-3-4-6-3
Gm:    3-5-5-3-3-3
Eb7    x-7-9-7-9-7   Can be played C#dim as well - I don't know.
 Am|  C|  D|  D|
EmIs it woEm/D#rth it
Em/DA new winter C#dimcoat and shoes for the Dwife
DmAnd a bicycle Cm7on the boy's birthdaDy
It's just a rumour that was Gspread around town
CBy the women and Dchildren
Soon we'll be Gshipbuilding
EmWell I Em/D#ask you
Em/DThe boy said "C#dimDad they're going to make me Dto task
DmBut I'll be Cm7back by christmaDs"
It's just a rumour that was Gspread around town
Cmaj7Somebody said that Dsomeone got filled in
Cmaj7For saying that Dpeople get killed in
Cmaj7The result of Dthis shipbuildingG  
nc           G7  
With all the will in the world
Diving for Eb6dear life
DWhen we could be Gdiving for pearls
Em               Em/D#            Em/D            C#dim
D                Dm              Cm7
DIt's just a rumour that was Gspread around town
Cmaj7A telegram or a Dpicture postcard
Cmaj7Within weeks they'll be re-Dopening the shipyards
Cmaj7And notifying the Dnext of kin
GOnce again
It's all we're G7skilled in
We will be Eb6shipbuildingD  G  
With all the Gmwill in the world
Diving for Eb6dear lifeD  D  D  
DWhen we could be Emdiving for pearls
Em/D#            Em/D            C#dim
D                Dm              Cm7          D
G                Cmaj7           D            Cmaj7
D                Cmaj7           D            G
It's all we're G7skilled in
We will be Eb6shipbuildingD  G  
With all the Gmwill in the world
Diving for Eb6dear lifeD  D  D  
DWhen we could be Ddiving for pearlsD  D  
DWhen we could be Ddiving for pearlsD  D  
DWhen we could be divEming for pearls

All chords in this song (14)

Open

O22OOO

Minor chord - Sad, melancholic sound

✕ Mute Open Press

Skill · find home

E minor

This chord is home. When a line ends, land here.

Shipbuilding

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Shipbuilding

by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Em/D#

Em/D

C#dim

Cm7

Cmaj7

Eb6

Shipbuilding

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

Elvis Costello, Clive Langer

From EC's _Punch the Clock_

(P) 1983

The Robert Wyatt version from 1982 is very much the same, only shorter.

The key is transposed two and a half tones up, his version is in Am.

Lyrics are from the _Punch the Clock_ inner sleeve

Am: x-0-2-2-1-0

C: x-3-2-0-1-0

D: x-x-0-2-3-2 On most of the song: x-5-7-7-7-5

Dm: x-x-0-2-3-1 But may also be: x-5-7-7-6-5

Em: 0-2-2-0-0-0 On the first times: x-x-2-0-0-0

Em/D#: x-x-1-0-0-0

Em/D: x-x-0-0-0-0

G: 3-5-5-4-3-3

C#dim: x-x-2-3-2-3 Also fits: A7: x-0-2-0-2-0

Cm7: x-3-5-3-4-3

Cmaj7: x-3-5-4-5-3 Easier to play: x-3-2-0-0-0

G7: 3-5-3-4-6-3

Gm: 3-5-5-3-3-3

Eb7 x-7-9-7-9-7 Can be played C#dim as well - I don't know.

Am C D D

| | | |

Em Em/D#

Is it worth it

Em/D C#dim D

A new winter coat and shoes for the wife

Dm Cm7 D

And a bicycle on the boy's birthday

It's just a rumour that was spread around town

C D

By the women and children

Soon we'll be shipbuilding

Em Em/D#

Well I ask you

Em/D C#dim D

The boy said "Dad they're going to make me to task

Dm Cm7 D

But I'll be back by christmas"

It's just a rumour that was spread around town

Cmaj7 D

Somebody said that someone got filled in

Cmaj7 D

For saying that people get killed in

Cmaj7 D G

The result of this shipbuilding

With all the will in the world

Eb6

Diving for dear life

D G

When we could be diving for pearls

Em Em/D# Em/D C#dim

D Dm Cm7

D G

It's just a rumour that was spread around town

Cmaj7 D

A telegram or a picture postcard

Cmaj7 D

Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyards

Cmaj7 D

And notifying the next of kin

Once again

It's all we're skilled in

Eb6 D G

We will be shipbuilding

With all the will in the world

Eb6 D D D

Diving for dear life

D Em

When we could be diving for pearls

Em/D# Em/D C#dim

D Dm Cm7 D

G Cmaj7 D Cmaj7

D Cmaj7 D G

It's all we're skilled in

Eb6 D G

We will be shipbuilding

With all the will in the world

Eb6 D D D

Diving for dear life

D D D D

When we could be diving for pearls

D D D D

When we could be diving for pearls

D Em

When we could be diving for pearls

About Shipbuilding Chords by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Learn how to play Shipbuilding by Elvis Costello & The Attractions with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Shipbuilding chords”, “Shipbuilding guitar chords”, or “Elvis Costello & The Attractions Shipbuilding 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 Shipbuilding chords and for experienced players who want accurate Shipbuilding lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, C, D, Dm, Em, Em/D.

FAQ — Shipbuilding by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

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

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Can I transpose "Shipbuilding" to a different key?

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Is "Shipbuilding" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Shipbuilding" in?

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