E (022100@1)           
Circumstances eat themselves
    A (x02220@1)          A/AbF#m
The present tense has been
BFill (x2444x@1)the fancy bowl up
       A (x02220@1)              EAt (022100@1)the present tense tureen.

EI (022100@1)once had a girl, she lived in the past
                    A (x02220@1)                 EIt (022100@1)was clear that relationship wouldn't last
                      BIt (x2444x@1)was clear from the way she had to sleep south
                      A (x02220@1)              EIt (022100@1)was clear from the lines around her mouth

So I went for a walk in the ravine
               A (x02220@1)          EI (022100@1)came upon an unbelievable scene
          BIn (x2444x@1)a tiny creek there's a tiny boat
            A (x02220@1)           EWith (022100@1)a tiny man in a tiny coat

I said "Hey man, do you think you can help?"
                     A (x02220@1)          EHe (022100@1)said "Of course I can - I'm an elf
               BWe're (x2444x@1)not just fictional device
        A (x02220@1)                EWe (022100@1)sail ravines and give advice"

I said "My baby is what it's about"
                  A (x02220@1)                   EHe (022100@1)cried "Helms a-lee, boy, I'm comin' about
              BDon't (x2444x@1)fill me in on right or wrong
           A (x02220@1)                 ETake (022100@1)these ropes and sing this song"

E (022100@1)           
Circumstances eat themselves
    A (x02220@1)          A/AbF#m
The present tense has been
BFill (x2444x@1)the fancy bowl up
       A (x02220@1)              EAt (022100@1)the present tense tureen.

EHis (022100@1)eyes were afire, he lit up a coal
            A (x02220@1)                      EHanded (022100@1)me a ladle and a little white bowl
                   BPut (x2444x@1)the pot on the fire, he opened a book
              A (x02220@1)                     EAnd (022100@1)said "sit down, the thing's gotta cook"

"That's the loveliest pot I've ever seen"
                    A (x02220@1)            EHe (022100@1)said "it's not a pot, it's a tureen
             BAnd (x2444x@1)what's inside will make you well
             A (x02220@1)           ESo (022100@1)ring this little dinner bell"

Then he giggled in french - that's what he did
              A (x02220@1)                         ELike (022100@1)a kid at Christmas, as he opened the lid
          B"Help (x2444x@1)yourself" he beamed with pride
              A (x02220@1)             EBut (022100@1)there was no sweet soup inside.

Silence fell on the cooling night
                   A (x02220@1)                EI (022100@1)thought I better fake it just to be polite
         BSmallest (x2444x@1)friend, biggest moon
      A (x02220@1)         EEmpty (022100@1)bowl, empty spoon.

E (022100@1)           
Circumstances eat themselves
    A (x02220@1)          A/AbF#m
The present tense has been
BFill (x2444x@1)the fancy bowl up
       A (x02220@1)              EAt (022100@1)the present tense tureen.

E (022100@1)           
Circumstances eat themselves
    A (x02220@1)          A/AbF#m
The present tense has been
BFill (x2444x@1)the fancy bowl up
       A (x02220@1)              EAt (022100@1)the present tense tureen.