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So To Speak

Chords

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E    A    F#m    B
EThey're seriously saying it's prolonDging me life
if I'll oAnly submit to the surgical C#mknife?
bBut what are the oddEs, on a monAth or a weEek?
when the beAtting shop's closing its dooCrs, so to speak.
When you're tAmaj7ied to a pumBp and a bAmaj7reathing maBchine
with their Am7X-rays and prAmobes and their mAm7onitor screAmens
and they'll wAmaj7ake you up huBngry, sayAmaj7ing "How do you Bfeel?"
and then you're sAm7tuffed full of pAmills and a Am7barium mealD7.
EProlonging me life? Now that's Dsome kind of joke
I'd be laAughing me head off and I'd C#mprobably choke
Bthe spirit's still Ewilling, but the rAest of me's wEeak
now the betAs are all off and the pCrospects look bleak.
When you're lAmaj7aid like a pBiece of old Amaj7meat on the sBlab
and they'll Am7cut and they'll Amslice, and they'll Am7poke and they'll Amjab
and they'll grill Amaj7ye and burn yBe, and they'll wAmaj7ish ye good heaBlth
with their rAm7adium chAmemo and God kAm7nows what eD7lse?
EWell you can't fault the science, though the lDogic is weak
is it reaAlly an eternal lC#mife we should seek?
Bthat ship has sailEed, that shAip has sailEed
that Aship has already Bsailed, so to speaEk.
Our misAmaj7sion is more Bthan a strAmaj7uggle for breaBth
for a fAm7ew extra rouAmnds in a fAm7ight to the Amdeath
when ouAmaj7r mission is Blove, and comAmaj7passion and graBce
it's not a Am7test of enduranAmce, or a maAm7rathon raceD7.
EFor love is the sabre, and loDve is the shield
Alove is the only true C#mpower we wield
Ban eternal lEove, is aAll you should sEeek
TAhat ship will be ready to sBail, so to spCeakAm  C  
FI hear what you're saying because I've hEbeard it before
buBbt I'm afraid if I let what is pDmast through my door
Bbhow long would you sFtay, a Bbmonth or a week
when that ship has already saiGmled, sCo to speaFk?
Bbmaj7Should I settle for sComething that'Bbmaj7s safe on this EarCth?
Bbm7what would it prBbmofit me, whBbm7at is it worBbmth?
Bbmaj7if I lose something pCrecious, comBbmaj7pletely uniqCue?
Bbm7when it's only eBbmternity's lBbm7ove we shoulCm7d seek.
FFor when that ship sails, and the course Ebhas been set
anBbd the wind's in the offing and the sDmails have been let
Bband the hatches are Ffull, and the Bbhull doesn't leak
that ship has already to Gmsail, Cso to spFeak.
FI'm tired and fading and loEbsing the light
anBbd I've no way to tell if it's dDmay or it's night
Bbfollow your heaFrt, itBb's the harbour you seek.
BbAnd this ship is ready to saiGml,
Bbthis ship is ready to saGmil,
Bbthis ship is ready to saGmil, so Cto speaFk...

All chords in this song (20)

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So To Speak

by Sting

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

C#m

Amaj7

Am7

Bbmaj7

Bbm7

Bbm

Cm7

E A F#m B

E D

They're seriously saying it's prolonging me life

A C#m

if I'll only submit to the surgical knife?

B E A E

but what are the odds, on a month or a week?

A C

when the betting shop's closing its doors, so to speak.

Amaj7 B Amaj7 B

When you're tied to a pump and a breathing machine

Am7 Am Am7 Am

with their X-rays and probes and their monitor screens

Amaj7 B Amaj7 B

and they'll wake you up hungry, saying "How do you feel?"

Am7 Am Am7 D7

and then you're stuffed full of pills and a barium meal.

E D

Prolonging me life? Now that's some kind of joke

A C#m

I'd be laughing me head off and I'd probably choke

B E A E

the spirit's still willing, but the rest of me's weak

A C

now the bets are all off and the prospects look bleak.

Amaj7 B Amaj7 B

When you're laid like a piece of old meat on the slab

Am7 Am Am7 Am

and they'll cut and they'll slice, and they'll poke and they'll jab

Amaj7 B Amaj7 B

and they'll grill ye and burn ye, and they'll wish ye good health

Am7 Am Am7 D7

with their radium chemo and God knows what else?

E D

Well you can't fault the science, though the logic is weak

A C#m

is it really an eternal life we should seek?

B E A E

that ship has sailed, that ship has sailed

A B E

that ship has already sailed, so to speak.

Amaj7 B Amaj7 B

Our mission is more than a struggle for breath

Am7 Am Am7 Am

for a few extra rounds in a fight to the death

Amaj7 B Amaj7 B

when our mission is love, and compassion and grace

Am7 Am Am7 D7

it's not a test of endurance, or a marathon race.

E D

For love is the sabre, and love is the shield

A C#m

love is the only true power we wield

B E A E

an eternal love, is all you should seek

A B C Am C

That ship will be ready to sail, so to speak

F Eb

I hear what you're saying because I've heard it before

Bb Dm

but I'm afraid if I let what is past through my door

Bb F Bb

how long would you stay, a month or a week

Gm C F

when that ship has already sailed, so to speak?

Bbmaj7 C Bbmaj7 C

Should I settle for something that's safe on this Earth?

Bbm7 Bbm Bbm7 Bbm

what would it profit me, what is it worth?

Bbmaj7 C Bbmaj7 C

if I lose something precious, completely unique?

Bbm7 Bbm Bbm7 Cm7

when it's only eternity's love we should seek.

F Eb

For when that ship sails, and the course has been set

Bb Dm

and the wind's in the offing and the sails have been let

Bb F Bb

and the hatches are full, and the hull doesn't leak

Gm C F

that ship has already to sail, so to speak.

F Eb

I'm tired and fading and losing the light

Bb Dm

and I've no way to tell if it's day or it's night

Bb F Bb

follow your heart, it's the harbour you seek.

Bb Gm

And this ship is ready to sail,

Bb Gm

this ship is ready to sail,

Bb Gm C F

this ship is ready to sail, so to speak...

About So To Speak Chords by Sting

Learn how to play So To Speak by Sting with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “So To Speak chords”, “So To Speak guitar chords”, or “Sting So To Speak 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 So To Speak chords and for experienced players who want accurate So To Speak lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, A, F#m, B, D, C#m.

FAQ — So To Speak by Sting

How do I play "So To Speak" by Sting on guitar?

Open the free chords for "So To Speak" by Sting 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 "So To Speak" by Sting free?

Yes. The chords for "So To Speak" by Sting are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "So To Speak" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "So To Speak"?

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

Is "So To Speak" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "So To Speak" by Sting with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Sting below.

What key is "So To Speak" in?

The chords for "So To Speak" show the original chord names (including E, A, F#m, B, D, C#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.