Arthur
Chords
4.815 votes
15
Original
Scroll
Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams
1/105
Sound:
Step 1 / 105Position: 3
1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO open
---------- Arthur -----------
----------- Kinks ------------
--------- Chris ---------
"She Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina" – 3:07
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
---D--------G---------C------------G---------D--------G----|
-----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------0------------------------------|
-----0------------0-2---------0-2-0--------0---------|
-0-2-----2-0---------------------------0-2-----0-2---|
-------------3-------------------------------------3-|
-----D--------G----------C-----------G---------D--------G--|
-----------------------------------------------------|
-----7-----------------12------------------7---------|
-7-9-----9-7-5---12-14------12-14-12---7-9-----9-7-5-|
-----------------------------------------------------|
-----------------------------------------------------|
Long aDgo life was clGean
Sex was bCad and obsGcene
And the rDich were so mGean
Stately hDomes for the LGords
Croquet laCwns, village grGeens
VictorDia was my quGeen
CHORUS:
ViGctoriDa, VEmictorBmia, VictorDia, 'tGoria
I was born, lucky me
In a land that I love
Though I am poor, I am free
When I grow I shall fight
For this land I shall die
Let her sun never set ...CHORUS TWICE
BRIDGE:
EmLand of hope and gloDria
LaDnd of my VictCoria
EmLand of hope and glDoria
LaDnd of my VictCoria
VictoDria, toGria
SOLO (OVER VERSE CHORDS)
CHORUS (hold the first two "Victoria"s longer)
ViGctoriDa, VEmictoBmria, ViDctoria--------G-
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GYes Sir, Dno Sir
BbWhere do I Fgo Sir
EbWhat do I Bbdo Sir
AbWhat do AI Bbsay
BbYes Sir, Fno Sir
EbWhere do I Bbgo Sir
EbWhat do I Bbdo Sir
How Abdo I AbeBbhave
BbYes Sir, Fno Sir
EbPermission to Bbspeak Sir
EbPermission to Bbbreathe Sir
AbWhat do AI Bbsay, how Abdo I AbeBbhave, Abwhat Ado I Bbsay
Bb Bb/ A Bb/G Bb/F
So you think that you've got ambition
Eb Eb/ D Eb/ C Eb/Bb
Stop your dreaming and your idle wishing
Db Db/ C Db/ Bb Db/ Ab
You're outside and there ain't no admission
AbTo Aour Bbplay
Bb Bb/ A Bb/G Bb/F
Pack up your ambition in your old kit bag
Eb Eb/ D Eb/ C Eb/Bb
Soon you'll be happy with a packet of fags
D Db/ C Db/ Bb Db/Ab
Chest out stomach in
AbDo wAhat I Bbsay, Abdo what AI Bbsay
AbYes riAght Bbaway
GYes Sir, Dno Sir
BbWhere do I Fgo Sir
EbWhat do I Bbdo Sir
AbWhat do AI Bbsay
BbYes Sir, Fno Sir
EbPermission to Bbspeak Sir
EbPermission to Bbbreathe Sir
AbWhat do AI Bbsay, how Abdo I AbeBbhave, Abwhat Ado I Bbsay
CmDoesn't matter who you are
You're there and there you are Bb Ab Eb
CmEverything Is in its place
Authority must be maintainedBb Ab Eb
And G7then we know exactly where we Care
Let them Cfeel that they're important to the cause
But let them know that they are fighting for their Bbhomes
Just be sure that they're contributing their Call
Give the Cscum a gun and make the bugger fight
And be sure to have deserters shot on Bbsight
If he dies we'll send a medal to his Cwife
GYes Sir, Dno Sir
EbPlease let me Fdie Sir
EbI think this Bblife is Abaffecting Amy Bbbrain
BbYes Sir, Fno Sir
EbThree bags Bbfull Sir
EbWhat do I Bbdo Sir, Abwhat do AI Bbsay
AbWhat do AI Bbsay, how Abdo I AbeBbhave, Abwhat do AI BbsayAb A Bb
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Intro: 4 bars of arpeggios on Bb then, over 4 bars, Bb F Bb
Some Bbmother's Fson lies in a Bbfield
D7 Gm F Eb Eb/D
Someone has killed some mother's son today
CmHead blown up by Fsome soldier's Bbgun
DWhile all the Amothers stand and D7wait
F#Some mother's F#7son ain't coming Bmhome AtoGday
BbSome mothers Cson ain't got no Dgrave
BbTwo soldiers Ffighting in a Bbtrench
D7 Gm F Eb Eb/D
One soldier glances up to see the sun
CmAnd dreams of Fgames he played when Bbhe Fwas Ebyoung
DAnd then his frAiend calls out his D7name
F#It stops his dF#7ream and as he Bmturns Ahis Ghead
A Bbsecond Clater he is Ddead (2 bars of D)
BbSome mother's Fson lies in a Bbfield
D7 Gm F Eb Eb/D
Back home they put his picture in a frame
CmBut all dead Fsoldiers look the BbsameF Eb
DWhile all the Aparents stand and wD7ait
F#To meet their F#7children coming Bmhome Afrom Gschool
BbSome mother's Cson is lying Ddead
SomeGwhere someone is Dcrying
Someone is Atrying to be so Dbrave
But Bbstill the world keeps tuFrning
Though all the cChildren have gone FawayF7
BbSome mother's Fson lies in a Bbfield
D7 Gm F Eb Eb/ D
But in his mother's eyes he looks the same
CmAs on the day Fhe went awayBb F Eb
DThey put his pAicture on the wallD7
F#They put floweF#7rs in the picturBme fraAmeG
BbSome mothers mCemory remainsD
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FDoo doo doo Bbdoo. Dididi Edoo doo doo Adoo
EbDoo doo doo Abdoo doo. DDid did doo Gdoo
DDididi doo doo Gdoo
CmIt seems like all the world is Gmfighting
BbThey're even talking of a Fwar (ooo ooo F7ooo)
FLet all the Russians and the Chinese
And the Spanish do their Bbfighting
The sun is D7shining
We're going GdriDvin', GdriDvin'
FDrop all your Bbwork
ELeave it beAhind
DForget all your Gproblems
C#And get in my F#car
And take a C#drive with F#me
The Fsandwiches are Bbpacked
The Etea is in the Aflask
We've Ebplenty of Abbeer
And Dgooseberry Gtarts
So take a Ddrive with Gme
CmWe'll take your mother if you Gmwant to
BbWe'll have a picnic on the Fgrass (ooo ooo F7ooo)
F7Forget your nephews and your cousins
And your brothers and your Bbsisters
They'll never D7miss us
'Cos we'll be GdriDvin', GdriDvin'. GdriDvin'. GdriDvin'
FThousands of Bbtrees
EHundreds of Afields
DMillions of Gbirds
So C#why don't you F#come
And take a C#drive with F#me
We'll Ftalk to the Bbcows
And Elaugh at the Asheep
We'll Dlie in a Gfield
And C#we'll have a F#sleep
So take a C#drive with F#me
CmAnd all the troubled world aGmround us
BbSeems an eternity aFway (ooo ooo F7ooo)
FAnd all the debt collectors, rent collectors
All will be Bbbehind us
But they'll never D7find us
'Cos we'll be GdriDvin', GdriDvin', GdriDvin', GdriDvin'
(Solo- F Bb E A Eb Ab D G)
DDrive with Gme...DDrive with Gme...
FPassed Barnet BbChurch
EUp to Potters ABar
We Ebwon't be home Ablate
It's Dnot very Gfar
D G D G(Break)
So take a drive with me, take a drive with me
GDriDvin', GdriDvin', GdriDvin', GdriDvin' ....repeat into the sunset
Note: On the 'Drivin'.. parts, the bass does Anice walk. G F# F E D E F F# G
kind of thing. And remember, don't go too fast and don't drink while playing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intro:
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------1--3-3------------------------------------|
D|-5-5--0-0-3--5-5------5-5-------------------------------------------|
Riff One:
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-12--12--12-10-8-5--------------------------------------------------|
A|-12--12--12-10-8-5--------------------------------------------------|
D|-12--12--12-10-8-5--------------------------------------------------|
Riff Two:
E|--G3-----------------------------------------------------------------|
B|----6-3-6-3---3-----------------------------------------------------|
G|------------5---5-3-5-3---3-----------------------------------------|
D|------------------------5---5-3-5-3---------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------5--3-5--------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
Riff Three:
E|--C8-----------------------------------------------------------------|
B|----11-8-11-8----8--------------------------------------------------|
G|--------------10---10-8-10-8----8-----------------------------------|
D|-----------------------------10---10-8-10-8-------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------10--8-10----------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
Riff Four:
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-10-10-10-10-12--12-12------------------------------|
A|-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-10-10-10-10-12--12-12------------------------------|
D|-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-10-10-10-10-12--12-12------------------------------|
Riff Five:
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-5-5--8-8--10-10--12-12---------------------------------------------|
A|-5-5--8-8--10-10--12-12---------------------------------------------|
D|-5-5--8-8--10-10--12-12---------------------------------------------|
Riff Six:
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-10-10-10-10-9-9-9-9-8-8-8-8-7-7-7-7--10-10--9-9--8-8--7-7----------|
A|-10-10-10-10-9-9-9-9-8-8-8-8-7-7-7-7--10-10--9-9--8-8--7-7----------|
D|-10-10-10-10-9-9-9-9-8-8-8-8-7-7-7-7--10-10--9-9--8-8--7-7----------|
Intro
Riff One
Riff Two
CYes you are, Bbyes yoFu are BbGet down Fon your Cknees.
Riff Three
Riff Four
Riff One
Riff Two
Verse 2
Riff Five
Riff Six
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
OpportCunities are available in all walks of life in AuGstralia
So if you're yFoung and if you're healthy
C (RIFF several times)
AustDmralia, the cGhance of a lifetime
AustDmralia, you gGet what you work for
NCobody has to be any better than what they want to be
AustDmralia, Gno class distinction
AustDmralia, Gno drug addiction
NCobody's got a chip on their shoulder
We'll sG#urf like they do in the CU.S.A.
We'll fAmly down to Syndey fGor our holiday
On suG#nny Christmas EbDay
AusBbtraliG#a, AusEbtralia----------
WG#e'll surf G#mlike they do in the CU.S.A.C/B
We'll fAmly down to Syndey fGor our holiday
On suG#nny Christmas EbDay
AusBbtraliG#a, AusEbtralia----------
SOLO (on Eb)
RIFF:
D ------------
A ---0---3-3--
E -3---3------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(opening riff: pluck Am 5 4 3 4 2 4 3 4 twice)
NoAmw that you've fouGnd your paE7radisAme
ThiAms is your kiCngdom to GcommaE7nd
You can gAmo outCside and poGlish your cE7ar
Am C E7 Am(opening riff)
Or sit by the fire in your Shangri-La
HAmere is your rewGard for worE7king so hAmard
GoAmne are the lavCatories in Gthe backE7yard
GoAmne are the daCys when you dreGamed of that E7car
You juAmst want to sCit in your ShE7angri-LAmaA
PDut on your slippers and sDmaj7it by the fire
You've reD7ached your top and you jGust can't G/F#get any hiEmgher
You're in your plCace and you kC/Bnow where you aAmreAm/G
In your ShFangri-F/ELaDm Dm/C
SDit back in your olDmaj7d rockin' chair
You nD7eed not worry you neGed not careG/F# Em
You can't go anywChereC/B Am
Shangri-LFa, AShangri-LFa, AShangri-LBba-aFh-ah-aChhA
The litDtle man who gDmaj7ets the train
Got a morD7tgage hanging ovGer his headG/F# Em
But he's too scaCred to complainC/B Am Am/G
Cos he's condiFtioned that wF/EayDm Dm/C
TDime goes by and he pDmaj7ays off his debts
Got a TD7.V. set and a raGdioG/F# Em
For seven shiCllings a weekC/B Am
Shangri-FLaA, Shangri-FLaA, Shangri-BbLa-aFh-ah-aChhh
Shangri-FLaA, Shangri-FLaA, Shangri-BbLa-aFh-ah-aChhh
Bb F C Bb F C Bb F Dm
Dm Dm/C Dm/B Dm/Bb
And all the houses in the street have got a name
Dm Dm/C Dm/B Dm/Bb
Cos all the houses in the street they look the same
SaAme chimney pots, same little cDars, same window pDmanes
Dm Dm/C Dm/B Dm/Bb
The neighbors call to tell you things that you should know
Dm Dm/C Dm/B Dm/Bb
They say their lines they drink their tea and then they go
TAhey tell your business in aDnother ShangriDm-La
Dm Dm/C Dm/B Dm/Bb
The gas bills and the water rates and payments on the car
Dm Dm/C Dm/B Dm/Bb
Too scared to think about how insecure you are
LAife ain't so happy in your liDttle Shangri-La
G C F Bb G C F Bb G C F Bb G C F Bb... G C F A
Shangri-La la la la la la la...
PDut on your slippers and sDmaj7it by the fire
You've reacD7hed your top and you juGst can't gG/F#et any higEmher
You're in your plCace and you knC/Bow where you aAmre
In your ShFangri-F/ELaDm Dm/C
SiDt back in your oDmaj7ld rockin' chair
You neD7ed not worry you neGed not careG/F# Em
You can't go anyCwhereC/B Am
Shangri-FLaA, Shangri-FLaA, Shangri-LBba-ahF-ah-aChhhA
Shangri-FLaA, Shangri-FLaA, Shangri-LBba-ahF-ah-ahChh
chord. For verses that begin with D, pick in B 3 1&2 3 style. All
other parts, including "Shangri-La" lines, strum.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
GWell Mr. Churchill sDays, Mr. Churchill says
We gotta Gfight the bloody Embattle to the Cvery GendD7
Mr. GBeaverbrook says we gotta Dsave our tin
And all the Ggarden gates
And Emempty cans are gonna Cmake us Gwin
GWe shall defend our D7island
On the Cland and on the Gsea
We shall Gfight them on the D7beaches
On the Chills and in the Gfields
We shall Cfight them in the Gstreets
GNever in the field of humaDn conflict was so Cmuch owed to so fGew
'Cos they have Gmade our British EmDpire
A better Cplace for me and yGou
And Cthis was their finest Ghour
Well Mr. MontGgomery says
And Mr. MountDbatten says
We gotta Gfight the bloody Embattle to the Cvery Gend
As Vera GLynn would say
We'll meet aDgain someday
But all the Gsacrifices Emwe must make beCfore the Gend
[Air Raid Siren: then aggressively- G Bb C G Bb C
Did you Ghear that Bbplane flying CoverheadG Bb C
There's a Ghouse an fire and there's Bbsomeone Clying Ddead
We gotta clean up the stCreets
And get me back on my fBbeet
Because we wanna be fD7reeG Bb C G Bb C
GDo your worst and we'll Bbdo our bCestG Bb C
We're gonna Gwin the way that Mr. BbChurcChill Dsays
proto-rap: G Bb C is an adequate progression under the rap and
solo, but the chords aren't right
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
She Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina
Intro Harpsichord Arpeggios on C
She's Cbought a hat like CdimPrincess MaCrina's
To Awear at all her social afDm7fairs
She E7wears it when she's cleaning the Amwindows
She D#dimwears it when she's scrubbing the Gstairs Adim Bbdim G/B
But Cyou will never Cdimsee her at CAscot
She Acan't afford the time or the Dm7fare
But she's Fbought a hat like F#dimPrincess C/GMari____naA's
So Dm9she G6don't Ccare Bass walk-up G A B (C)
He's Cbought a hat like Anthony D7Eden's
G C/ D/Eb
Because it makes him feel like a Lord
But he E7can't afford a Rolls or a AmBentley
D G Adim Bbdim...
He has to buy a secondhand Ford
He tCries to feed his wife and his D7family
And Gbuy them clothes and shoes they can Ewear
F F#dim C/ B A
But he's bought a hat like Anthony E_____den's
So Dm9he G6don't Ccare Drums up the tempo into...
( Astomp, with Aswazzle)
A7Buddy can you spare me a D7dime
GMy wife is getting hungry
And the Ckids are crying
This A7poverty is hurting my D7pride
GBuddy can you sG7pare me, Cbuddy can you spare me a dime
Guitar Solo and stomp on A7 D7 G C x2 (hold C last time)
F (doggie style bass) G
And her Cneighbors think it suits her a Ftreat
But she A7hasn't any food in the Dmlarder
G C Ddim Ebdim C7/ G
Nor has anybody else in the street
But to Flook at her you'd think she was Gwealthy
'Cos she Csmiles just like a real millioA7naire
Bb Bdim F/ E D
'Cos she's bought a hat like Princess Ma__rina's
Gm9 C6 F/ E D
So she don't care,
Gm9 C6 F/ E D
she don't care,
Gm9 C6 F(Drum break)
she don't care,
Gm9she C6don't Fcare___________
---------------------------------------------------------------------
C C/B Am Am/G F F/E Dm F/E Dm F F/E Dm C(n.C.)
C C/B Am Am/G FRIFF 1 Dm
I look back at the way I used to look at life
Dm Dm/C Dm/BRIFF 2 C C C/B Am Am/G
Soft, white dreams with sugar coated outside
C C/B Am Am/F G7 G7/ F G7RIFF 3
It was great, so great
FYoung and G7innocent FdaysC
I CwiC/Bsh my eAmyes Am/Gcould oFnlF/Ey sDmee
Dm Dm/C Dm/BRIFF 2 C C C/B Am Am/G
Every-thing, exactly as it used to be
C C/B Am Am/F G7 G7/ F G7
It's too late, so late
FYoung and G7innocent FdaysC
FYoung and G7innocent FdaysC
BRIDGE:
D D D/E D G C
D D D/E D G C C/B Am Em F C
D D D/E D G C
C F G7 F F/E F/D C
Young and innocent days
(OUTRO PLAY ALL CHORDS OF VERSE)
RIFF 1: RIFF 2: RIFF 3:
E --------------------- ---------------- --------------
B --------------------- ---------------- --------------
G ---0-2-0------------- ---------------- --------------
D -4-------4-3-0------- ---------------- --------------
A --------------------- ---0-2-0-----3-- -------0------
E --------------------- -3-------3-1---- -0-1-3--------
------------------------------------------------------------
fill: D ----2--3--5--3--3--3-
A --3------------------ (fuzz guitar)
E ---------------------
Intro: C G F C, 2x
CRemember Gwalking with Fyou by my Cside
CYou were my GPapa and FI was your Cpride
CNow I've got Gchildren and FI'm going Cgrey
CNo time for Gtalking, I got Fnothin' to Csay
CThose Sunday Gdinners that Fwe had at Chome
CNow I've got a Ghouse and I've got Ffriends of my Cown
CWe can't do toGmorrow what we Fdid yesterCday
CIt's best that Gwe're going our Fseparate Cways, OK
CHow is your Grheumatism (Fnothing to Csay)
CHow are your Gchillblains (Fnothing to Csay)
CHow's Aunty GMabel (Fnothing to Csay)
CSo far GPapa, I got Fnothin' to Csay, OK
FThose happy days we Cspent together
FWe thought our world would Cnever change
FHow________ the Cdays go by
FAnd things will never be the Csame G
CYou keep Gpretending that Feverything's Cfine
CSo you make Gsmall talk to Fhelp pass the Ctime
CBut all the Gwords that you Fspit from your Cface
CAdd up to Gnothin', you got Fnothin' to Csay
CHow are those Gnoisy Fneighbors next Cdoor
CI'll have to Ggo soon 'cos FI'm getting Cbored
CI gotta be home Gearly to Fsee a good Cplay
CSo far GPapa, I got Fnothin' to Csay
Now the verse chords are played over "La la la la-la, la-la la la,"
CHow is your Glife insurance (Fnothing to Csay)
CHow is your Gtrade union (Fnothing to Csay)
CHow is your IndeGpendence (Fnothing to Csay)
CSo for GPapa, I got Fnothin' to Csay
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AArthur was born just a plain simple man
in a pElain simple working class posAition
he was yEoung and he had so much ambAition
by pEeople who make the big decAisions
and a wEay to improve his own condAition
D A-G-D-A
If only life were easy it would be such fu-u-un
D A-G-D-A
Things would be more equal and be plenty for everyone
DArthur the world's gone and passed you by
Don't you kAnow it, don't you kDnow it
Don't you kAnow it, don't you kDnow it
Don't you kAnow it, don't you kDnow it
ASomebody loves you, don't you kDnow it
Don't you kAnow it, don't you kDnow it
ASomebody loves you, don't you kDnow it
A D A-D
Don't you know it, don't you know it
And then it's back to "Arthur, the world's gone..." with its D-A chords,
parts, you can play an A7 instead of an A.
During the A & E chords ("verses"), the following is played:
G --2--2--0--2--0--0--2--2--0--2--0--0--1----1----1----1--1--0--2--
The prechorus I just play the chords noted. Over the D & A chords
B --3--3--1--3--1--1--3--3--1--3--1--1--5----5----5----5--5--1--3--
B -10-10--8-10--8--8-10-10--8-10--8--8-12---12---12---12-12--8-10----
with liberal bends on the E's at the 12th fret.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
All chords in this song (24)
🎸 Tips from players
Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.
Chord Book
670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com
Arthur
by The Kinks
Chords in this song · guitar
D
G
C
Em
Bm
Bb
F
Eb
Ab
A
Bb/G
Bb/F
Eb/Bb
Db
Cm
G7
D7
Gm
F#
F#7
F7
E
C#
Dm
---------- Arthur -----------
----------- Kinks ------------
--------- Chris ---------
"She Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina" – 3:07
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
D G C G D G
-----------------------------------------------------|
-----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------0------------------------------|
-----0------------0-2---------0-2-0--------0---------|
-0-2-----2-0---------------------------0-2-----0-2---|
-------------3-------------------------------------3-|
D G C G D G
-----------------------------------------------------|
-----------------------------------------------------|
-----7-----------------12------------------7---------|
-7-9-----9-7-5---12-14------12-14-12---7-9-----9-7-5-|
-----------------------------------------------------|
-----------------------------------------------------|
D G
Long ago life was clean
C G
Sex was bad and obscene
D G
And the rich were so mean
D G
Stately homes for the Lords
C G
Croquet lawns, village greens
D G
Victoria was my queen
CHORUS:
G D Em Bm D G
Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, 'toria
I was born, lucky me
In a land that I love
Though I am poor, I am free
When I grow I shall fight
For this land I shall die
Let her sun never set ...CHORUS TWICE
BRIDGE:
Em D
Land of hope and gloria
D C
Land of my Victoria
Em D
Land of hope and gloria
D C
Land of my Victoria
D G
Victoria, toria
SOLO (OVER VERSE CHORDS)
CHORUS (hold the first two "Victoria"s longer)
G D Em Bm D G
Victoria, Victoria, Victoria---------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G D
Yes Sir, no Sir
Bb F
Where do I go Sir
Eb Bb
What do I do Sir
Ab A Bb
What do I say
Bb F
Yes Sir, no Sir
Eb Bb
Where do I go Sir
Eb Bb
What do I do Sir
Ab A Bb
How do I behave
Bb F
Yes Sir, no Sir
Eb Bb
Permission to speak Sir
Eb Bb
Permission to breathe Sir
Ab A Bb Ab A Bb Ab A Bb
What do I say, how do I behave, what do I say
Bb Bb A Bb/G Bb/F
/
So you think that you've got ambition
Eb Eb D Eb C Eb/Bb
/ /
Stop your dreaming and your idle wishing
Db Db C Db Bb Db Ab
/ / /
You're outside and there ain't no admission
Ab A Bb
To our play
Bb Bb A Bb/G Bb/F
/
Pack up your ambition in your old kit bag
Eb Eb D Eb C Eb/Bb
/ /
Soon you'll be happy with a packet of fags
D Db C Db Bb Db Ab
/ / /
Chest out stomach in
Ab A Bb Ab A Bb
Do what I say, do what I say
Ab A Bb
Yes right away
G D
Yes Sir, no Sir
Bb F
Where do I go Sir
Eb Bb
What do I do Sir
Ab A Bb
What do I say
Bb F
Yes Sir, no Sir
Eb Bb
Permission to speak Sir
Eb Bb
Permission to breathe Sir
Ab A Bb Ab A Bb Ab A Bb
What do I say, how do I behave, what do I say
Cm
Doesn't matter who you are
Bb Ab Eb
You're there and there you are
Cm
Everything Is in its place
Bb Ab Eb
Authority must be maintained
G7 C
And then we know exactly where we are
C
Let them feel that they're important to the cause
Bb
But let them know that they are fighting for their homes
C
Just be sure that they're contributing their all
C
Give the scum a gun and make the bugger fight
Bb
And be sure to have deserters shot on sight
C
If he dies we'll send a medal to his wife
G D
Yes Sir, no Sir
Eb F
Please let me die Sir
Eb Bb Ab A Bb
I think this life is affecting my brain
Bb F
Yes Sir, no Sir
Eb Bb
Three bags full Sir
Eb Bb Ab A Bb
What do I do Sir, what do I say
Ab A Bb Ab A Bb Ab A Bb Ab A Bb
What do I say, how do I behave, what do I say
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Intro: 4 bars of arpeggios on Bb then, over 4 bars, Bb F Bb
Bb F Bb
Some mother's son lies in a field
D7 Gm F Eb Eb D
/
Someone has killed some mother's son today
Cm F Bb
Head blown up by some soldier's gun
D A D7
While all the mothers stand and wait
F# F#7 Bm A G
Some mother's son ain't coming home today
Bb C D
Some mothers son ain't got no grave
Bb F Bb
Two soldiers fighting in a trench
D7 Gm F Eb Eb D
/
One soldier glances up to see the sun
Cm F Bb F Eb
And dreams of games he played when he was young
D A D7
And then his friend calls out his name
F# F#7 Bm A G
It stops his dream and as he turns his head
Bb C D
A second later he is dead (2 bars of D)
Bb F Bb
Some mother's son lies in a field
D7 Gm F Eb Eb D
/
Back home they put his picture in a frame
Cm F Bb F Eb
But all dead soldiers look the same
D A D7
While all the parents stand and wait
F# F#7 Bm A G
To meet their children coming home from school
Bb C D
Some mother's son is lying dead
G D
Somewhere someone is crying
A D
Someone is trying to be so brave
Bb F
But still the world keeps turning
C F F7
Though all the children have gone away
Bb F Bb
Some mother's son lies in a field
D7 Gm F Eb Eb D
/
But in his mother's eyes he looks the same
Cm F Bb F Eb
As on the day he went away
D A D7
They put his picture on the wall
F# F#7 Bm A G
They put flowers in the picture frame
Bb C D
Some mothers memory remains
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
F Bb E A
Doo doo doo doo. Dididi doo doo doo doo
Eb Ab D G
Doo doo doo doo doo. Did did doo doo
D G
Dididi doo doo doo
Cm Gm
It seems like all the world is fighting
Bb F F7
They're even talking of a war (ooo ooo ooo)
F
Let all the Russians and the Chinese
Bb
And the Spanish do their fighting
D7
The sun is shining
G D G D
We're going drivin', drivin'
F Bb
Drop all your work
E A
Leave it behind
D G
Forget all your problems
C# F#
And get in my car
C# F#
And take a drive with me
F Bb
The sandwiches are packed
E A
The tea is in the flask
Eb Ab
We've plenty of beer
D G
And gooseberry tarts
D G
So take a drive with me
Cm Gm
We'll take your mother if you want to
Bb F F7
We'll have a picnic on the grass (ooo ooo ooo)
F7
Forget your nephews and your cousins
Bb
And your brothers and your sisters
D7
They'll never miss us
G D G D G D G D
'Cos we'll be drivin', drivin'. drivin'. drivin'
F Bb
Thousands of trees
E A
Hundreds of fields
D G
Millions of birds
C# F#
So why don't you come
C# F#
And take a drive with me
F Bb
We'll talk to the cows
E A
And laugh at the sheep
D G
We'll lie in a field
C# F#
And we'll have a sleep
C# F#
So take a drive with me
Cm Gm
And all the troubled world around us
Bb F F7
Seems an eternity away (ooo ooo ooo)
F
And all the debt collectors, rent collectors
Bb
All will be behind us
D7
But they'll never find us
G D G D G D G D
'Cos we'll be drivin', drivin', drivin', drivin'
F Bb E A Eb Ab D G
(Solo- )
D G D G
Drive with me...Drive with me...
F Bb
Passed Barnet Church
E A
Up to Potters Bar
Eb Ab
We won't be home late
D G
It's not very far
D G D G
(Break)
So take a drive with me, take a drive with me
G D G D G D G D
Drivin', drivin', drivin', drivin' ....repeat into the sunset
A G F# F E D E F F# G
Note: On the 'Drivin'.. parts, the bass does nice walk.
kind of thing. And remember, don't go too fast and don't drink while playing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intro:
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------1--3-3------------------------------------|
D|-5-5--0-0-3--5-5------5-5-------------------------------------------|
Riff One:
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-12--12--12-10-8-5--------------------------------------------------|
A|-12--12--12-10-8-5--------------------------------------------------|
D|-12--12--12-10-8-5--------------------------------------------------|
Riff Two:
G
E|--3-----------------------------------------------------------------|
B|----6-3-6-3---3-----------------------------------------------------|
G|------------5---5-3-5-3---3-----------------------------------------|
D|------------------------5---5-3-5-3---------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------5--3-5--------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
Riff Three:
C
E|--8-----------------------------------------------------------------|
B|----11-8-11-8----8--------------------------------------------------|
G|--------------10---10-8-10-8----8-----------------------------------|
D|-----------------------------10---10-8-10-8-------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------10--8-10----------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
Riff Four:
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-10-10-10-10-12--12-12------------------------------|
A|-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-10-10-10-10-12--12-12------------------------------|
D|-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-10-10-10-10-12--12-12------------------------------|
Riff Five:
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-5-5--8-8--10-10--12-12---------------------------------------------|
A|-5-5--8-8--10-10--12-12---------------------------------------------|
D|-5-5--8-8--10-10--12-12---------------------------------------------|
Riff Six:
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-10-10-10-10-9-9-9-9-8-8-8-8-7-7-7-7--10-10--9-9--8-8--7-7----------|
A|-10-10-10-10-9-9-9-9-8-8-8-8-7-7-7-7--10-10--9-9--8-8--7-7----------|
D|-10-10-10-10-9-9-9-9-8-8-8-8-7-7-7-7--10-10--9-9--8-8--7-7----------|
Intro
Riff One
Riff Two
C Bb F Bb F C
Yes you are, yes you are Get down on your knees.
Riff Three
Riff Four
Riff One
Riff Two
Verse 2
Riff Five
Riff Six
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
C G
Opportunities are available in all walks of life in Australia
F
So if you're young and if you're healthy
C (RIFF several times)
Dm G
Australia, the chance of a lifetime
Dm G
Australia, you get what you work for
C
Nobody has to be any better than what they want to be
Dm G
Australia, no class distinction
Dm G
Australia, no drug addiction
C
Nobody's got a chip on their shoulder
G# C
We'll surf like they do in the U.S.A.
Am G
We'll fly down to Syndey for our holiday
G# Eb
On sunny Christmas Day
Bb G# Eb
Australia, Australia----------
G# G#m C C/B
We'll surf like they do in the U.S.A.
Am G
We'll fly down to Syndey for our holiday
G# Eb
On sunny Christmas Day
Bb G# Eb
Australia, Australia----------
Eb
SOLO (on )
RIFF:
D ------------
A ---0---3-3--
E -3---3------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(opening riff: pluck Am 5 4 3 4 2 4 3 4 twice)
Am G E7 Am
Now that you've found your paradise
Am C G E7
This is your kingdom to command
Am C G E7
You can go outside and polish your car
Am C E7 Am
(opening riff)
Or sit by the fire in your Shangri-La
Am G E7 Am
Here is your reward for working so hard
Am C G E7
Gone are the lavatories in the backyard
Am C G E7
Gone are the days when you dreamed of that car
Am C E7 Am A
You just want to sit in your Shangri-La
D Dmaj7
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
D7 G G/F# Em
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
C C/B Am Am/G
You're in your place and you know where you are
F F/E Dm Dm/C
In your Shangri-La
D Dmaj7
Sit back in your old rockin' chair
D7 G G/F# Em
You need not worry you need not care
C C/B Am
You can't go anywhere
F A F A Bb F C A
Shangri-La, Shangri-La, Shangri-La-ah-ah-ahh
D Dmaj7
The little man who gets the train
D7 G G/F# Em
Got a mortgage hanging over his head
C C/B Am Am/G
But he's too scared to complain
F F/E Dm Dm/C
Cos he's conditioned that way
D Dmaj7
Time goes by and he pays off his debts
D7 G G/F# Em
Got a T.V. set and a radio
C C/B Am
For seven shillings a week
F A F A Bb F C
Shangri-La, Shangri-La, Shangri-La-ah-ah-ahhh
F A F A Bb F C
Shangri-La, Shangri-La, Shangri-La-ah-ah-ahhh
Bb F C Bb F C Bb F Dm
Dm Dm/C Dm/B Dm Bb
/
And all the houses in the street have got a name
Dm Dm/C Dm/B Dm Bb
/
Cos all the houses in the street they look the same
A D Dm
Same chimney pots, same little cars, same window panes
Dm Dm/C Dm/B Dm Bb
/
The neighbors call to tell you things that you should know
Dm Dm/C Dm/B Dm Bb
/
They say their lines they drink their tea and then they go
A D Dm
They tell your business in another Shangri-La
Dm Dm/C Dm/B Dm Bb
/
The gas bills and the water rates and payments on the car
Dm Dm/C Dm/B Dm Bb
/
Too scared to think about how insecure you are
A D
Life ain't so happy in your little Shangri-La
G C F Bb G C F Bb G C F Bb G C F Bb G C F A
...
Shangri-La la la la la la la...
D Dmaj7
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
D7 G G/F# Em
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
C C/B Am
You're in your place and you know where you are
F F/E Dm Dm/C
In your Shangri-La
D Dmaj7
Sit back in your old rockin' chair
D7 G G/F# Em
You need not worry you need not care
C C/B Am
You can't go anywhere
F A F A Bb F C A
Shangri-La, Shangri-La, Shangri-La-ah-ah-ahhh
F A F A Bb F C
Shangri-La, Shangri-La, Shangri-La-ah-ah-ahhh
chord. For verses that begin with D, pick in B 3 1&2 3 style. All
other parts, including "Shangri-La" lines, strum.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
G D
Well Mr. Churchill says, Mr. Churchill says
G Em C G D7
We gotta fight the bloody battle to the very end
G D
Mr. Beaverbrook says we gotta save our tin
G
And all the garden gates
Em C G
And empty cans are gonna make us win
G D7
We shall defend our island
C G
On the land and on the sea
G D7
We shall fight them on the beaches
C G
On the hills and in the fields
C G
We shall fight them in the streets
G D C G
Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed to so few
G D
'Cos they have made our British Empire
C G
A better place for me and you
C G
And this was their finest hour
G
Well Mr. Montgomery says
D
And Mr. Mountbatten says
G Em C G
We gotta fight the bloody battle to the very end
G
As Vera Lynn would say
D
We'll meet again someday
G Em C G
But all the sacrifices we must make before the end
G Bb C G Bb C
[Air Raid Siren: then aggressively-
G Bb C G Bb C
Did you hear that plane flying overhead
G Bb C D
There's a house an fire and there's someone lying dead
C
We gotta clean up the streets
Bb
And get me back on my feet
D7 G Bb C G Bb C
Because we wanna be free
G Bb C G Bb C
Do your worst and we'll do our best
G Bb C D
We're gonna win the way that Mr. Churchill says
proto-rap: G Bb C is an adequate progression under the rap and
solo, but the chords aren't right
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
She Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina
Intro Harpsichord Arpeggios on C
C Cdim C
She's bought a hat like Princess Marina's
A Dm7
To wear at all her social affairs
E7 Am
She wears it when she's cleaning the windows
D#dim G Adim Bbdim G/B
She wears it when she's scrubbing the stairs
C Cdim C
But you will never see her at Ascot
A Dm7
She can't afford the time or the fare
F F#dim C/G A
But she's bought a hat like Princess Mari____na's
Dm9 G6 C
So she don't care Bass walk-up G A B (C)
C D7
He's bought a hat like Anthony Eden's
G C D Eb
/ /
Because it makes him feel like a Lord
E7 Am
But he can't afford a Rolls or a Bentley
D G Adim Bbdim
...
He has to buy a secondhand Ford
C D7
He tries to feed his wife and his family
G E
And buy them clothes and shoes they can wear
F F#dim C B A
/
But he's bought a hat like Anthony E_____den's
Dm9 G6 C
So he don't care Drums up the tempo into...
A A
( stomp, with swazzle)
A7 D7
Buddy can you spare me a dime
G
My wife is getting hungry
C
And the kids are crying
A7 D7
This poverty is hurting my pride
G G7 C
Buddy can you spare me, buddy can you spare me a dime
Guitar Solo and stomp on A7 D7 G C x2 (hold C last time)
F (doggie style bass) G
C F
And her neighbors think it suits her a treat
A7 Dm
But she hasn't any food in the larder
G C Ddim Ebdim C7 G
/
Nor has anybody else in the street
F G
But to look at her you'd think she was wealthy
C A7
'Cos she smiles just like a real millionaire
Bb Bdim F E D
/
'Cos she's bought a hat like Princess Ma__rina's
Gm9 C6 F E D
/
So she don't care,
Gm9 C6 F E D
/
she don't care,
Gm9 C6 F
(Drum break)
she don't care,
Gm9 C6 F
she don't care___________
---------------------------------------------------------------------
C C/B Am Am/G F F/E Dm F/E Dm F F/E Dm C C
(n..)
C C/B Am Am/G F Dm
RIFF 1
I look back at the way I used to look at life
Dm Dm/C Dm/B C C C Am Am/G
RIFF 2 /B
Soft, white dreams with sugar coated outside
C C/B Am Am/F G7 G7 F G7
/ RIFF 3
It was great, so great
F G7 F C
Young and innocent days
C C/B Am Am/G F F/E Dm
I wish my eyes could only see
Dm Dm/C Dm/B C C C Am Am/G
RIFF 2 /B
Every-thing, exactly as it used to be
C C/B Am Am/F G7 G7 F G7
/
It's too late, so late
F G7 F C
Young and innocent days
F G7 F C
Young and innocent days
BRIDGE:
D D D D G C
/E
D D D D G C C/B Am Em F C
/E
D D D D G C
/E
C F G7 F F F/D C
/E
Young and innocent days
(OUTRO PLAY ALL CHORDS OF VERSE)
RIFF 1: RIFF 2: RIFF 3:
E --------------------- ---------------- --------------
B --------------------- ---------------- --------------
G ---0-2-0------------- ---------------- --------------
D -4-------4-3-0------- ---------------- --------------
A --------------------- ---0-2-0-----3-- -------0------
E --------------------- -3-------3-1---- -0-1-3--------
------------------------------------------------------------
fill: D ----2--3--5--3--3--3-
A --3------------------ (fuzz guitar)
E ---------------------
C G F C
Intro: , 2x
C G F C
Remember walking with you by my side
C G F C
You were my Papa and I was your pride
C G F C
Now I've got children and I'm going grey
C G F C
No time for talking, I got nothin' to say
C G F C
Those Sunday dinners that we had at home
C G F C
Now I've got a house and I've got friends of my own
C G F C
We can't do tomorrow what we did yesterday
C G F C
It's best that we're going our separate ways, OK
C G F C
How is your rheumatism (nothing to say)
C G F C
How are your chillblains (nothing to say)
C G F C
How's Aunty Mabel (nothing to say)
C G F C
So far Papa, I got nothin' to say, OK
F C
Those happy days we spent together
F C
We thought our world would never change
F C
How________ the days go by
F C G
And things will never be the same
C G F C
You keep pretending that everything's fine
C G F C
So you make small talk to help pass the time
C G F C
But all the words that you spit from your face
C G F C
Add up to nothin', you got nothin' to say
C G F C
How are those noisy neighbors next door
C G F C
I'll have to go soon 'cos I'm getting bored
C G F C
I gotta be home early to see a good play
C G F C
So far Papa, I got nothin' to say
Now the verse chords are played over "La la la la-la, la-la la la,"
C G F C
How is your life insurance (nothing to say)
C G F C
How is your trade union (nothing to say)
C G F C
How is your Independence (nothing to say)
C G F C
So for Papa, I got nothin' to say
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A
Arthur was born just a plain simple man
E A
in a plain simple working class position
E A
he was young and he had so much ambition
E A
by people who make the big decisions
E A
and a way to improve his own condition
D A G D A
---
If only life were easy it would be such fu-u-un
D A G D A
---
Things would be more equal and be plenty for everyone
D
Arthur the world's gone and passed you by
A D
Don't you know it, don't you know it
A D
Don't you know it, don't you know it
A D
Don't you know it, don't you know it
A D
Somebody loves you, don't you know it
A D
Don't you know it, don't you know it
A D
Somebody loves you, don't you know it
A D A D
-
Don't you know it, don't you know it
And then it's back to "Arthur, the world's gone..." with its D-A chords,
parts, you can play an A7 instead of an A.
During the A & E chords ("verses"), the following is played:
G --2--2--0--2--0--0--2--2--0--2--0--0--1----1----1----1--1--0--2--
The prechorus I just play the chords noted. Over the D & A chords
B --3--3--1--3--1--1--3--3--1--3--1--1--5----5----5----5--5--1--3--
B -10-10--8-10--8--8-10-10--8-10--8--8-12---12---12---12-12--8-10----
with liberal bends on the E's at the 12th fret.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get the free app — iPhone: The Chord Book on the App Store · Android: Free Chords on Google Play
Lyrics and compositions © their respective songwriters and publishers. Free for personal practice.
About Arthur Chords by The Kinks
Learn how to play Arthur by The Kinks with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Arthur chords”, “Arthur guitar chords”, or “The Kinks Arthur 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 Arthur chords and for experienced players who want accurate Arthur lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, D, G, C, Em, Bm.
FAQ — Arthur by The Kinks
How do I play "Arthur" by The Kinks on guitar?
Open the free chords for "Arthur" by The Kinks 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 "Arthur" by The Kinks free?
Yes. The chords for "Arthur" by The Kinks are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.
Can I transpose "Arthur" to a different key?
Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Arthur" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.
Can I see chord diagrams for "Arthur"?
Yes. Tap any chord in "Arthur" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.
Is "Arthur" easy to play on guitar?
Many players learn "Arthur" by The Kinks with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Kinks below.
What key is "Arthur" in?
The chords for "Arthur" show the original chord names (including A, D, G, C, Em, Bm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.