Bob Dylan - Jokerman

the best way to play this song is as follows :

capo on the first fret :

A Amaj7
standing on the water , casting your bread
Bm/A E/A A
while the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing
A Amaj7
distant ships sailing into the mist
Bm/A E/A A
you were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was
blowing
Bm E A
freedom just around the corner for you
Bm E A D
but with truth so far off , what good will it do .

E D
jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
A E/G# F#m D
bird fly high by the light of the moon
C#m7 D6 E A
oh , oh , oh , jokerman .

A Amaj7
so swiftly the sun sets in the sky
Bm/A E/A A D/A
you rise up and say goodbye to no one
A Amaj7
fools rush in where angels fear to tread
Bm/A E/A A
both of their futures , so full of dread , you don’t show one
Bm E A
shedding off one more layer of skin
Bm E A D
keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within .

E D
jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
A E/G# F#m D
bird fly high by the light of the moon
C#m7 D6 E A
oh , oh , oh , jokerman .

A anaj7
you’re a man of the mountain , you can walk on the clouds
Bm/A E/A A D/A
manipulator of crowds , you’re a dream twister
A
you’re going to sodom and gomorrah
Amaj7 Bm/A E/A A
but what do you care ? ain’t nobody there would want marry your sister
Bm E A
friend to the martyr , a friend to the woman of shame
Bm E A D
you look into the fiery furnace , see the rich man without any name .

E D
jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
A E/G# F#m D
bird fly high by the light of the moon
C#m7 D6 E A
oh , oh , oh , jokerman .

A Amaj7
well , the book of leviticus and deuteronomy
Bm/A E/A A D/A
the law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers
A Amaj7
in the smoke of the twilight on a milk – white steed
Bm/A E/A A
michelangeo indeed could’ve carved out your features
Bm E A
resting in the fields , far from the turbulent space
Bm E A D
half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face .

E D
jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
A E/G# F#m D
bird fly high by the light of the moon
C#m7 D6 E A
oh , oh , oh , jokerman .

A Ammaj7
well , the rifleman’s stalking the sick and the lame
Bm/A E/A A D/A
preacherman seeks the same , who’ll get there first is uncertain
A Amaj7
nightsticks and water cannons , tear gas , padlocks
Bm/A E/A A
molotow cocktails and rocks behind every curtain
Bm E A
false – hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin
Bm E A D
only a matter of time ’til the night comes stepping in .

E D
jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
A E/G# F#m D
bird fly high by the light of the moon
C#m7 D6 E A
oh , oh , oh , jokerman .

A Amaj7
it’s a shadowy world , skies are slippery gray
Bm/A E/A A D/A
a woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet
A Amaj7
he’ll put the priest in his pocket , put the blade to the heat
Bm/A E/A
take the motherless children off the street
A
and place them at the feet of a harlot
Bm E A
oh , jokerman , you know what he wants
Bm E A D
oh , jokerman , you don’t show any response .

E D
jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
A E/G# F#m D
bird fly high by the light of the moon
C#m7 D6 E A
oh , oh , oh , jokerman .

coda | | : A | Amaj7 | Bm/A | E/A | A | D/A : | |
| Bm | E | A | A
| Bm | E | A | D
| E | D | A E/G# | F#m | | fade out

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