Eb Bb (4x)

[Verse 1]
Bb              F
The disc brakes drag,
F                  Eb - Db - Cm                Gm
The chequered flag sweeps across the oil-slick track 
Bb                F
The young man's home; dry as a bone 
Eb - Db - Cm    Gm        Gm
His helmet off, he waves: the crowd waves back 

[Pre-Chorus]
C                     F
One lap victory roll  Gladiator soul 
Dm               Am     D              Eb
The taker of the day in winning has to say,

[Chorus]
Bb        F        Eb            Em/5-
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand,
F
Dead or alive 
Bb        F        Eb            Em/5-
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand,
F
Dead or alive 

[Verse 2]
Bb          F 
The sunlight streaks through the curtain cracks,
Eb - Db - Cm                  Gm
Touches the old man where he sleeps 
Bb                  F
The nurse brings up a cup of tea
Eb - Db - Cm                       Gm
Two biscuits and the morning paper mystery 

[Pre-Chorus 2]
C                     F 
The hard road's end, the white god's-send
Dm         Am        D                   Eb
Is nearer everyday, in dying the old man says,

[Chorus]
Bb       F           Eb             Em/5-
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand,
F
Dead or alive 
Bb       F           Eb             Em/5-
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand,
F
Dead or alive 

[Instrumental]
Bb Bb7M Eb Bb

[Verse 3]
Bb             F
The still-born child can't feel the rain
Eb - Db - Cm           Gm
As the chequered flag falls once again 
Bb                F
The deaf composer completes his final score 
Eb - Db - Cm               Gm
He'll never hear the sweet encore 

[Pre-Chorus 3]
C                   F
The chequered flag, the bull's red rag,
Dm                  Am
The lemming-hearted hordes
D                                Eb
Running ever faster to the shore singing,

[Chorus]
Bb        F          Eb            Em/5-
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand,
F
Dead or alive