Cap in hand

D ~ D G A

1. I could tell the meaning of a word like serene,

D G A

I got some `O' grades when I was sixteen.

D G A

I can tell the difference 'tween margarine and butter,

D G A

I can say "Saskatchawen" without starting to stutter.

A D G D A

But I can't understand why we let someone else rule our land,

- - - - - D

cap in hand.

D G A

2. I could get a broken jaw from being in a fight,

D G A

I know it's evening when day turns to night.

D G A

I can understand why Stranraer lie so lowly,

D G A

they could save a lot of points by signing Hib's goalie.

A D G D A

But I can't understand why we let someone else rule our land,

- - - - - D

cap in hand.

G D - A D - G D - A D

We fight when they ask us, we boast then we cower,

G D - A D

we beg for a piece of

G - G - G A

what's already, what's already, what's already, ours.

+ Instrumental ( = verse 2, last four lines : )

D - G - A D - G - A A - D - G - D - A - - - - D

G D - A D - G D - A D

We fight when they ask us, we boast then we cower,

G D - A D

we beg for a piece of

G - G - G A

what's already, what's already, what's already, ours.

D G A

3. Once I thought I could make God a bribe,

D G A

so I said I was in His lost tribe.

D G A

Getting handouts can be so frustrating,

D G A

"Get in line son, there's five million waiting".

A D G D A

But I can't understand why you let someone else rule your land,

- - - - - D

cap in hand.

A D G D A

No, I can't understand why we let someone else rule our land,

- - - - - D Bm G E

cap in hand, cap in hand, cap in hand, cap in hand.

A D G D A

No, I can't understand why we let someone else rule our land,

- - - - - D

cap in hand, cap in hand, cap in hand .......

(The Proclaimers)