Jokerman    (midi) (sample)

G Bm

1. Standin' on the water casting your bread,

C - D G - C

while the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing.

G Bm

Distant ships sailin' into the mist,

C D

you were born with a snake in both of your fists,

G

while a hurricane was blowing.

Am D G

Freedom, just around the corner for you,

Am - D G - C

but with truth so far off, what good would it do?

D C

Jokerman dance to the nightingale's tune.

G D C G C D G

bird fly high by the light of the moon, o…h, oh, oh, Jokerman.

G Bm

2. So swiftly the sun sets in the sky,

C D G

you rise up and say goodbye to no one.

G Bm

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,

C D G

both of their futures so full of dread, you don't show one.

Am D G

Shedding off one more layer of skin,

Am D G - C

keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.

D C

Jokerman dance to the nightingale's tune.

G D C G C D G

bird fly high by the light of the moon, o…h, oh, oh, Jokerman.

G Bm

3. You're a man of the mountains, you can walk on the clouds,

C D - G

manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister.

G Bm

You go to Sodom and Gomorrah, but what do you care?

C D G

Ain't nobody there would want to marry your sister.

Am D G

A friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame,

Am D G - C

you look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name.

D C

Jokerman dance to the nightingale's tune.

G D C G C D G

bird fly high by the light of the moon, o…h, oh, oh, Jokerman.

+ G - Bm - C - D - G - C

G Bm

4. Well, the book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy,

C D G

the law of the jungle and the sea, are your only teachers.

G Bm

In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed,

C D G

Michelangelo indeed could have carved out your features.

Am D G

Resting in the fields far from the turbulent space,

Am D G - C

half asleep neath the stars with a small dog licking your face.

D C

Jokerman dance to the nightingale's tune.

G D C G C D G

bird fly high by the light of the moon, o…h, oh, oh, Jokerman.

+ G - Bm - C - D - G - C

G Bm

5. Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame,

C D G - C

preacher man seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain.

G Bm

Matchsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks,

C D G

molotov cocktails and rocks, behind every curtain.

Am D G

False-hearted judges dyin' in the webs that they spin,

Am D G - C

only a matter of time till night comes steppin' in.

D C

Jokerman dance to the nightingale's tune.

G D C G C D G

bird fly high by the light of the moon, o…h, oh, oh, Jokerman.

+ G - Bm - C - D - G - C

G Bm

6. It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery grey,

C D

a woman just gave birth to a prince today,

G - C

and dressed him in scarlet.

G Bm

He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat,

C D

take the motherless children off the street,

G

and place them at the feet of a harlot.

Am D G

Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants,

Am D G - C

oh, Jokerman you don't show any response.

D C

Jokerman dance to the nightingale's tune.

G D C G C D G

bird fly high by the light of the moon, o…h, oh, oh, Jokerman.

+ instrumental = verse 6 …

(orig. = capo 3rd) (Bob Dylan)