Josh Ritter - Sir Galahad

sir galahad
by josh ritter

this is based on A 10/6/10 show at mccarter theater in princeton , nj . the lyrics ( from
same show ) were found on the chimney smoke blog and were transcribed by the author . the
are taken from the video and are most likely correct .

the song is picked with a quick pattern ( hear and watch him perform the song on chimney smoke )

capo 2nd fret ( he has played it open in concert as well )
all chords are relative to the capo

there are two progressions
C F , C G C
E7 G C F , C G C

C
the angel of the holy grail
F
saw galahad come riding
C G C
so he took the holy grail off the shelf .

C
and inside the holy chapel made for
F
holy grail hiding the angel
C G C
could be seen to smile to himself .

E7 G
“if you’re the great sir galahad
C F
from now on , ” said the angel
C G C
“may all angels call me blessed of my race . ”

E7 G
“if you’re not the great sir galahad
C F C
i’ll warn you , keep on riding and if you are
G C
i pray you’ll let me see your face . ”

C
galahad took off his helmet , said
F
“good angel look upon me .
C G C
fear not , for i bring tidings of great joy .

C
for long years the grail you’ve guarded , now
F
you get to let me drink it , how
C G C
happy must be angels thus employed . ”

cfcgc

C
“all the favors you shower upon
F
me , a simple angel , ” said the
C G C
angel , “your magnificence abounds .

C
take your boots off great sir galahad ,
F
for by your astounding beauty whatever
C G C
ground you stand on turns to holy ground . ”

C
galahad took off his boots , and he
F
watched the ground quite closely
C G C
and the angel smiled to himself again .

C
he said , “i can’t believe i’m asking , but
F
sir galahad please tell me , what is
C G C
it that makes you want to go to heaven?

E7 G
in heaven there’s no lamb chops ,
C F
queen guinevere’s for hand jobs ,
C G C
marijuana , kenny rogers , or ecstasy .

E7 G
no pillaging , no rape , perhaps
C F
you’ve come by some mistake to me
C G C
this seems more error than knight errantry .

cfcgc x2

C
yes , and what about the stable boys ,
F
i know you think they’re handsome
C G C
and some of them , they think you’re awful handsome too .

C
and , sitting up in heaven , you’ll still
F
think about them often , when you’re an
C G C
angel thinking’s all that you can do . ”

E7 G
at this , sir galahad got angry ,
C F
“angel , ” he said , “don’t you tempt me .
C G C
i wish to go to heaven and not to hell .

E7 G
so when stable boys look lonesome ,
C F
when the women call me handsome ,
C G C
i’ll hold me virtue very firmly by myself . ”

C
“i guarantee you’ll hold it often , ”
F
said the angel . “oh one more thing , before you
C G C
drink the wine , please take your armor off .

C
i gotta carry you to heaven ,
F
and despite what you’d imagine ,
C G C
i have trouble bearing heavy things aloft . ”

cfcgc x2

C
sir galahad stood naked
F
in a pile of his armor ,
C G C
his boots and helmet scattered all around .

C
his perfect lips , they sipped the grail ,
F
his perfect heart commenced to fail ,
C G C
his perfect body fell upon the ground .

E7 G
the angel lit a cigarette .
C F
when he was sure galahad was dead ,
C G C
he picked all of his clothes up off the floor .

E7 G
then i put on his boots and armor
C F
i laid his body on the altar
C G C
put his helmet on and i headed for the door .