The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death - The Housemartins
From the Album “The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death” 1987
No Capo
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[Intro]
Am Bb Am C
Am Bb Am C
[Verse 1]
Am Bb
The smiled so much and waved their flags
Am C
As she saluted to the military band
Am Bb
Most of the people failed to see
Am C
She had a broken bottle in the other hand
[Pre-Chorus]
F F N.C. F
And she took them by surprise
Dm Dm N.C. Dm
When she took them by the throat
Bb C
And said - "My friend - you're not allowed to vote", Oooh
F F N.C. F
But they shook it all off,
Dm Dm N.C. Dm
With a nervous laugh and cough,
Bb C
"Next time," she said "I'll let those people choke-----"
[Chorus]
F
The people who grinned themselves to death
Eb
Smiled so much they failed to take a breath
Bb
And even when their kids were starving
C
They all thought the queen was charming
F
The people who grinned themselves to death
Eb
Smiled so much they failed to take a breath
Bb
And even when their kids were starving
C
They all thought the queen was charming
[Transition]
Am Bb Am C
[Verse 2]
Am Bb
She polished all upon the wall
Am C
And ran her hands right through her hair
Am Bb
So if the lady took the time to call
Am C
All the houses on the street would not compare
[Pre-Chorus]
F F N.C. F
And she thought it really funny
Dm Dm N.C. Dm
That she hadn't any money
Bb C
But those she looked up to, they had, Oooh
F F N.C. F
But they shook it all off
Dm Dm N.C. Dm
With a nervous laugh and cough
Bb C
And when they took her riches it was sad----
[Chorus]
F
The people who grinned themselves to death
Eb
Smiled so much they failed to take a breath
Bb
And even when their kids were starving
C
They all thought the queen was charming
F
The people who grinned themselves to death
Eb
Smiled so much they failed to take a breath
Bb
And even when their kids were starving
C
They all thought the queen was charming
[Harmonica Solo]
Am Bb Am C
Am Bb Am C
[Chorus]
F
The people who grinned themselves to death
Eb
Smiled so much they failed to take a breath
Bb
And even when their kids were starving
C
They all thought the queen was charming
F
The people who grinned themselves to death
Eb
Smiled so much they failed to take a breath
Bb
And even when their kids were starving
C
They all thought the queen was charming
[Outro]
Am Bb