Stunned to find not a single Jake Thackray ballad here. If you've not heard any of Jake's work then I strongly suggest you check him out on Youtube and read his bio at www.jakethackray.com A true wordsmith in idiosyncratic English humour. The Lodger - Jake Thackray Am (x02210@1) EMy (022100@1)landlady had three lovely daughters. E (022100@1) AmThey (x02210@1)used to come and make my bed each day Am (x02210@1) EThey (022100@1)used to come and clean my living quarters, E (022100@1) AmBut (x02210@1)their mother made quite sure they didn't stay. FThere (133211@1)was Mary: she seemed chary; C (x32010@1) EThere (022100@1)was Helen: she seemed well and truly sceptical Amabout (x02210@1)my qualities; F (133211@1) CThere (x32010@1)was Julie: she was truly well-proportioned, but her E (022100@1) AmCaution (x02210@1)Brought exhaustion on my aching arteries. Am (x02210@1) EBut (022100@1)I was wrong: they weren't at all impervious E (022100@1) Am (x02210@1)To the possibilities of high romance - Am (x02210@1) EAnd (022100@1)I sensed a certain girlish nerviness E (022100@1) AmIn (x02210@1)the way they folded my pyjama pants. F (133211@1) And I was right, for late one night CSweet (x32010@1)little Mary, like a fairy, E (022100@1) AmAs (x02210@1)I lay sleeping, came a-creeping to my side. F (133211@1) CShe (x32010@1)was mine: it was divine - but we were doomed, for very soon E (022100@1) AmInto (x02210@1)the room came sister Helen, and she cried: A (x02220@1) D (xx0232@1) E (022100@1) A"Mary, (x02220@1)go to bed!" Off Mary went. A (x02220@1) D (xx0232@1) E (022100@1) A"Now, (x02220@1)young man," Helen said, "for your punishment, A (x02220@1) D (xx0232@1) E (022100@1) A"We (x02220@1)mustn't have a fight, we mustn't make a row: A (x02220@1) D (xx0232@1) E (022100@1) Am"Turn (x02210@1)off the light - it's my turn now!" Am (x02210@1) EWell, (022100@1)after all, I'm young and relatively vigorous, E (022100@1) AmAnd (x02210@1)though I still protest my innocence, Am (x02210@1) EBy (022100@1)temperament I'm strictly un-polygamous, E (022100@1) AmAnd (x02210@1)if I sinned, I sinned in self-defence. F (133211@1) CNevertheless (x32010@1)I must confess I wouldn't miss that E (022100@1) Amsort (x02210@1)of bliss And when it ended I was rendered comatose. F (133211@1) CWhen, (x32010@1)loud and clear, very near, in my ear a loud E (022100@1) Am (x02210@1) voice spoke And I was awoken from my post-coital doze. A (x02220@1) D (xx0232@1) E (022100@1) A"Helen, (x02220@1)go to bed!" Helen went away. A (x02220@1) D (xx0232@1) E (022100@1) A"Now, (x02220@1)young man," Julie said, "you will have to pay! A (x02220@1) D (xx0232@1) E (022100@1) A"You've (x02220@1)blighted Helen's charms, filched her purity. A (x02220@1) D (xx0232@1) E (022100@1) Am"Open (x02210@1)up your arms - come and filch me!" Am (x02210@1) EI (022100@1)was amazed, and really rather tired; E (022100@1) Am (x02210@1) I thought I'd given all that I could give. Am (x02210@1) EA (022100@1)little kip was all that I desired, E (022100@1) AmBut (x02210@1)I'm British, so my upper lip was stiff. F (133211@1) C (x32010@1) She was chaotic, idiotic, quite exotic and ecstatic, E (022100@1) AmAcrobatic (x02210@1)and emphatically fine. F (133211@1) CAll (x32010@1)to no good, for when I could open my eyes, to my E (022100@1) Amsurprise (x02210@1)I found her mother looking into mine. A (x02220@1) D (xx0232@1) E (022100@1) A"Julie, (x02220@1)go to bed!" Julie left the scene. A (x02220@1) D (xx0232@1) E (022100@1) A"Now (x02220@1)listen, Ma," I said, "I know the old routine. A (x02220@1) D (xx0232@1) E (022100@1) A"I'll (x02220@1)do what you like, but I shall be vexed A (x02220@1) D (xx0232@1) E (022100@1) Am"And (x02210@1)I'll bloody well go on strike if Grandma's next!" Listen to the recording on youtube it's a nice simple tune and fun to play for friends. This is my first attempt so any comments or corrections welcome. cheers BigMick
