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A Simple Desultory Philippic

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A Simple Desultory Philippic 
(How I Was Lyndon Johnsoned Into Submission)
Words & music bu Paul Simon 1965
[Verse 1]
I was GUnion Jacked, BbKerouac'd
CJohn Birched, Ebstopped and searched
GRolling Stoned and A7Beatled Ctill I'm Dblind
 I've been GAyn Randed, Bbnearly branded
CCommunist 'cos EbI'm lefthanded:
GThat's the hand they A7use, well, never Gmind!C  Eb  G  G  C  Eb  G  G  
[Verse 2]
I've been GWalt Disneyed, BbDis Disleyed
CJohn Lennoned, EbKrishna Menoned
GWalter Brennan A7punched out CCassius DClay
 I've Gheard the truth from BbLenny Bruce
and Call my wealth won't Ebbuy me health
 GSo I smoke a Dpint of tea a GdayC  Eb  G  G  C  Eb  G  G  
[Verse 3]
 I knew a man his brain so Fsmall, 
He couldn't think of nothin' at Gall.
He's not the same as Cyou and me.
He doesn't dig poetry. FHe's so unhip that
When you say GDylan, he thinks you're talkin' about CDylan Thomas,
Whoever he is.
The Fman ain't got no Gculture,
But its alright, Ma,
It's just sumpthin' I learned over in CEngland.
[Verse 4]
I've been GJames Joyced, BbRolls Royced
CMick Jaggered, Ebsilver daggered
GAndy Warhol won't you A7please come Dhome?
I've been Gmother, fathered, Bbaunt and uncled
CTom Wilsoned, Art EbGarfunkled
GBarry Kornfeld's A7mother's on the Gphone
GWhen in London, Bbdo as I do
CFind yourself a Ebfriendly haiku
 GGo to sleep for Dten or fifteen Gyears

All chords in this song (7)

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A Simple Desultory Philippic

by Paul Simon

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

A Simple Desultory Philippic

(How I Was Lyndon Johnsoned Into Submission)

Words & music bu Paul Simon 1965

[Verse 1]

G Bb

I was Union Jacked, Kerouac'd

C Eb

John Birched, stopped and searched

G A7 C D

Rolling Stoned and Beatled till I'm blind

G Bb

I've been Ayn Randed, nearly branded

C Eb

Communist 'cos I'm lefthanded:

G A7 G C Eb G G C Eb G G

That's the hand they use, well, never mind!

[Verse 2]

G Bb

I've been Walt Disneyed, Dis Disleyed

C Eb

John Lennoned, Krishna Menoned

G A7 C D

Walter Brennan punched out Cassius Clay

G Bb

I've heard the truth from Lenny Bruce

C Eb

and all my wealth won't buy me health

G D G C Eb G G C Eb G G

So I smoke a pint of tea a day

[Verse 3]

I knew a man his brain so small,

He couldn't think of nothin' at all.

He's not the same as you and me.

He doesn't dig poetry. He's so unhip that

G C

When you say Dylan, he thinks you're talkin' about Dylan Thomas,

Whoever he is.

F G

The man ain't got no culture,

But its alright, Ma,

It's just sumpthin' I learned over in England.

[Verse 4]

G Bb

I've been James Joyced, Rolls Royced

C Eb

Mick Jaggered, silver daggered

G A7 D

Andy Warhol won't you please come home?

G Bb

I've been mother, fathered, aunt and uncled

C Eb

Tom Wilsoned, Art Garfunkled

G A7 G

Barry Kornfeld's mother's on the phone

G Bb

When in London, do as I do

C Eb

Find yourself a friendly haiku

G D G

Go to sleep for ten or fifteen years

About A Simple Desultory Philippic Chords by Paul Simon

Learn how to play A Simple Desultory Philippic by Paul Simon with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “A Simple Desultory Philippic chords”, “A Simple Desultory Philippic guitar chords”, or “Paul Simon A Simple Desultory Philippic 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 A Simple Desultory Philippic chords and for experienced players who want accurate A Simple Desultory Philippic lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, G, Bb, C, Eb, A7.

FAQ — A Simple Desultory Philippic by Paul Simon

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What key is "A Simple Desultory Philippic" in?

The chords for "A Simple Desultory Philippic" show the original chord names (including A, G, Bb, C, Eb, A7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.