#--------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#This file is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of the #
#song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship or research.#
#----------------------------------------------------------------------------#

Song title:      Shipbuilding
Original Album:	 Punch the Clock
Other Album:     - single (Robert Wyatt)
                 "Scrubs" Soundtrack

Words by Elvis Costello; Music by Clive Langer
Copyright © 1982 Rough Trade Records and 1983 Columbia Records
Published by Columbia Records

Transcribed by Gavin Chart (contactus@gartfrets.net)


NOTES:
Originally written by Clive Langer for Robert Wyatt, CL didn't like the lyrics
he'd written, so played the tune to Elvis Costello and asked him to write new
ones. Here is the result: "the best lyrics I've ever written" (EC). EC's
version has two beautiful trumpet solos from Chet Baker but also check out
Robert Wyatt's haunting vocal on his version.

This is a gorgeous, gorgeous song. Enjoy!


INTRO:
Chords:
Am  x02210 or 577555
C   x32010 or 335553
D   xx0232 or 557775

[play: | Am | C | D | D | ]


VERSE:
Chords:
Em    022000 or xx5450    Edim  xx2323 or x4535x    Cm7 335343
Em/D# xx1000 or 065450    D     xx0232 or 557775    G   320033 or 355433
Em/D  xx0000              Dm    xx0231 or 557765    C   x32010 or 335553

Em      Em/D#
  Is it worth it?
Em/D           Edim                   D
  A new winter coat and shoes for the wife
Dm              Cm7                   D
  And a bicycle on the boy's birthday
                            G
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
C                  D
  By the women and children
              G
Soon we'll be shipbuilding


VERSE:
Em        Em/D#
  Well, I ask you
Em/D            Edim                            D
  The boy said "Dad they're going to take me to task
Dm            Cm7                D
  But I'll be back by Christmas"


CHORUS:
Chords:
G      320033 or 355433    G7   320001 or 353433
Cmaj7  332000 or 335453    Eb7  668686
D      x00232 or 557775

D                             G
  It's just a rumour that was spread around town
Cmaj7                D
  Somebody said that someone got filled in
Cmaj7             D
  For saying that people get killed in
Cmaj7           D                  G
  The result of this shipbuilding
             G7
With all the will in the world
           Eb7
Diving for dear life
D                  G
  When we could be diving for pearls


[Trumpet SOLO over VERSE chords:  Em  Em/D#  Em/D  Edim  D  Dm  Cm7]


CHORUS:
D                             G
  It's just a rumour that was spread around town
Cmaj7             D
  A telegram or a picture postcard
Cmaj7                        D
  Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyards
Cmaj7               D            G
  And notifying the next of kin, once again


BRIDGE:
Chords:
G7  353433              Eb6    xx8888
Eb7 668686              Em     022000
D   x00232 or 557775    Em/D#  xx1000 or 065450
G   320033 or 355433    Em/D   xx0000
Gm  355333              Edim   xx2323 or x4535x

               G7
It's all we're skilled in
           Eb7           D  G
We will be shipbuilding
             Gm
With all the will in the world
           Eb6        D
Diving for dear life
                 Em                Em/D#  Em/D  Edim
When we could be diving for pearls


[Trumpet SOLO played over these chords:]

| D | Dm | Cm7 | D |

| G | Cmaj7 | D | Cmaj7 |

| D | Cmaj7 | D | G |


               G7
It's all we're skilled in
           Eb7          D  G
We will be shipbuilding
             Gm
With all the will in the world
           Eb6        D
Diving for dear life


CODA:
Notes:
This stays on D from the change after "life" in the BRIDGE.
For the final Em, try 779987.

                (D)
When we could be diving for pearls
                (D)
When we could be diving for pearls
                 Em
When we could be diving for pearls

[end on arpeggioed Em]