Shipbuilding

Words & Music:

Elvis Costello & Clive Langer

 

Am   Am/G   D7/F#   D

 

Em    Em/D#     Em/D          C#dim                  D    Dm

Is it worth it?  A new winter coat and shoes for the wife?

Dm            Cm7                   D

And a bicycle on the boy's birthday?

D                           G

It's just a rumour that was spread around town

C                D                        G

By the women and children:  soon we'll be shipbuilding

 

Well, I ask you, the boy said "Dad they're going to take me to task.

But I'll be back by Christmas."

It's just a rumour that was spread around town

CM7                D

Somebody said that someone got filled in

CM7             D                    CM7           D            G

For saying that people get killed in the result of this shipbuilding.

G            G7

With all the will in the world,

           Eb6       D                G

Diving for dear life when we could be diving for pearls.

 

Em   Em/D#   Em/D   C#dim     D   Dm   Cm7

 

D                           G                   CM7             D

It's just a rumour that was spread around town; a telegram or a picture postcard

CM7                        D

Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyards

CM7               D           G

And notifying the next of kin once again.

               G7                       Eb6        D    G

It's all we're skilled in -- we will be shipbuilding

             Gm

With all the will in the world.

           Eb6      D                 Em

Diving for dear life when we could be diving for pearls.

 

Em   Em/D#   Em/D   C#dim     D   Dm   Cm7   D

G    CM7     D      CM7       D   CM7  D     G

 

G/F#           G7                      Eb6    D    G               Gm

It's all we're skilled in.  We will be shipbuilding.  With all the will in the world.

           Eb6       D

Diving for dear life when we could be diving for pearls.

D                                                     Em

When we could be diving for pearls.  When we could be diving for pearls.

 




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