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Pirates

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Aminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

A Cdistant car, a Cmquiet night
Like A#mstarin' at the CceilingG  
MCy sleepy eyes, you Cmsmell so nice
It's A#msuch a funny CfeelingG  
AmGot no idea, what Etime it is
AmDelightfully coA#mnfusEing
The Amtrees outside, the A#mmorning light
CArrives, like Epirates on paraCde
CSurprise, it's Epirates on paraCde
A ray of light, between the blinds
I lie there in a stupor
I hear a thud, and then a flush
Guess it must be the neighbors
I blink my eyes, I laugh inside
Imagine what they're saying
I see your shape and through the night
Here come, those pirates on parade
Ahoy, it's pirates on parade
EmThrough the rough and stormy weather
BmOn a search for buried treasure
BThere's an island to explEmore
EmEv'ry wave that whispers softly
Bm"Stay in bed, 'cause it's still early"
BDolphins frolic by the shEmore
And the Cphone never Grings when the Cpirates are GsingiDng
Well there's 16 men on a dead man's chest
In this hallucination
The map we got, x marks the spot
We're following directions
The 7 seas, the balmy breeze
The pleasure of surrender
The end is nigh, the sun is high
It's late, for pirates on parade
Too late, for pirates on parade
Traffic noises down below me
A helicopter circles slowly
Monsters sink into the deep
Mountainous and downy billows
Float among those fluffy pillows
Maybe I'll go back to sleep
And the phone never rings when the pirates are singing
This wicked life
So what's in store behind that velvet curtain?
The night is gone
And the day is here
The stupid sun is shinin'
The moon reflects
Your hair's a mess
It's lovely imperfections
My crew and I
The clear blue skies
Sail on, with pirates on parade
Sail on, you pirates on parade
CYo, EYo, CYo
CYo, EYo, CYo...

All chords in this song (10)

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Pirates

by David Byrne

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

A#m

C Cm

A distant car, a quiet night

A#m C G

Like starin' at the ceiling

C Cm

My sleepy eyes, you smell so nice

A#m C G

It's such a funny feeling

Am E

Got no idea, what time it is

Am A#m E

Delightfully confusing

Am A#m

The trees outside, the morning light

C E C

Arrives, like pirates on parade

C E C

Surprise, it's pirates on parade

A ray of light, between the blinds

I lie there in a stupor

I hear a thud, and then a flush

Guess it must be the neighbors

I blink my eyes, I laugh inside

Imagine what they're saying

I see your shape and through the night

Here come, those pirates on parade

Ahoy, it's pirates on parade

Through the rough and stormy weather

On a search for buried treasure

B Em

There's an island to explore

Ev'ry wave that whispers softly

"Stay in bed, 'cause it's still early"

B Em

Dolphins frolic by the shore

C G C G D

And the phone never rings when the pirates are singing

Well there's 16 men on a dead man's chest

In this hallucination

The map we got, x marks the spot

We're following directions

The 7 seas, the balmy breeze

The pleasure of surrender

The end is nigh, the sun is high

It's late, for pirates on parade

Too late, for pirates on parade

Traffic noises down below me

A helicopter circles slowly

Monsters sink into the deep

Mountainous and downy billows

Float among those fluffy pillows

Maybe I'll go back to sleep

And the phone never rings when the pirates are singing

This wicked life

So what's in store behind that velvet curtain?

The night is gone

And the day is here

The stupid sun is shinin'

The moon reflects

Your hair's a mess

It's lovely imperfections

My crew and I

The clear blue skies

Sail on, with pirates on parade

Sail on, you pirates on parade

C E C

Yo, Yo, Yo

C E C

Yo, Yo, Yo...

About Pirates Chords by David Byrne

Learn how to play Pirates by David Byrne with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Pirates chords”, “Pirates guitar chords”, or “David Byrne Pirates 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 Pirates chords and for experienced players who want accurate Pirates lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Cm, A, A#m, G, Am.

FAQ — Pirates by David Byrne

How do I play "Pirates" by David Byrne on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Pirates" by David Byrne 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 "Pirates" by David Byrne free?

Yes. The chords for "Pirates" by David Byrne are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Pirates" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Pirates"?

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

Is "Pirates" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Pirates" by David Byrne with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by David Byrne below.

What key is "Pirates" in?

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