Elvis Costello - The World And His Wife

a real gem from “punch the clock . ” i noticed that nobody tabbed the album
version , so i thought i’d try to figure it out . first tab; forgive me if it sucks .

key of : C

intro :
Dm9
F G7

verse 1 :
C Am
the family circle gathers ’round from very far and near
C C7 F
to pass around the same remarks they passed away last year
Dm Em
the little girl you dangled on your knee without mishap
C F
stirs something in your memory and something in your lap

intro

chorus :
C
but it’s a living
Am
this is the life
C G Am
for the world and his wife
F F# Bm
the world and his wife

verse 2 :
C Am
the kissing cousins slip outside to cuddle and confess
C C7 F
she says sweet nothing at all , it’s much more of a mess
Dm Em
the conversation melts like chocolate down their open jaws
C F
as the juniper berry slips down just like last night’s drawers

chorus :
C
but it’s a living
Am
this is the life
C G Am
for the world and his wife
F F# Bm
the world and his wife

bridge :
E E7 Am
to tell the truth our mum ran off with someone else’s father
F A# C
went for two weeks’ holiday in taramasalata
E E7 F
Daddy went out with the rubbish and he kept on walking
F A#
between mum and the walls
A# G7
god only knows who does the talking

chorus :
C
but it’s a living
Am
this is the life
C G Am
for the world and his wife
F F# Bm
the world and his wife

intro

verse 3 :
C Am
but later on in the evening through the tears and fol – de – rol
C C7 F
come the sentimental feelings for the lure of vitriol
Dm Em
longing thoughts go hankering for the old home overseas
C F
with a blindfold and a national anthem sung in different keys

outro :
C
but it’s a living
Am
this is the life
C
it’s a living
Am
this is the life
C
it’s a living
Am
this is the life
C G Am
for the world and his wife
F F# Bm
the world and his wife
( repeat until fade out )