Shipbuilding

Elvis Costello

Tom: C

Intro: Am  C  D  D

Em      Em/D#     Em/D
   Is it worth it
             C#dim              D       Dm
A new winter coat and shoes for the wife
              Cm7                   D
And a bicycle on the boy's birthday
                              G                C
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
                  D
By the women and children
              G             G  Em
Soon we'll be shipbuilding
      Em/D#     Em/D
Well I ask you
             C#dim                         D       Dm
The boy said "Dad they're going to make me to task
              Cm7              D
But I'll be back by christmas"
                               G                C7+
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
                     D                    C7+
Somebody said that someone got filled in
                 D                      C7+
For saying that people get killed in
               D                G
The result of this shipbuilding
             G7
With all the will in the world
           Eb6        D
Diving for dear life
                 G
When we could be diving for pearls

Solo: Em  Em/D#  Em/D  C#dim  D  Dm  Cm7   D
        
                             G                C7+
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
               D                   C7+
A telegram or a picture postcard
                            D                    C7+
Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyards
                  D
And notifying the next of kin
G
Once again
               G7
It's all we're skilled in
           Eb6            D  G
We will be shipbuilding
             Gm
With all the will in the world
           Eb6       D
Diving for dear life
                 Em
When we could be diving for pearls

Solo 2:  Em/D# - Em/D - C#dim - D - Dm - Cm7 - D - 
G - C7+ - D - C7+ - D - C7+ - D - G

         G7
It's all we're skilled in
           Eb6           D  G
We will be shipbuilding
             Gm
With all the will in the world
           Eb6        D
Diving for dear life
D
When we could be diving for pearls
D
When we could be diving for pearls
D                Em
When we could be diving for pearls