[Progression]
   G     C  Am7  G  Em A7 C  Am7 G
E|-3---3-0-0-0---3---0-0-0-------3-----|
B|-0---0-1-1-1---0---0-2-1-1-1---0-----|
G|-0---0-0-0-0---0---0-0-0-0-0---0-----|
D|-0---0-2-x-2---0---2-2-2-x-2---0-----|
A|-2---2-3-2-0---2---2-0-3-2-0---2-----|
E|-3-2h3-------2h3-2-0---------2h3-----|

[Verse 1]
G                              C    Am7  G
I was in the sea scouts around twelve or thirteen
Em          A7          C    Am7  G
I didn't do much, except one jamboree
    G
The motto repeated again and again
   A7                        C    Am7          G
Be prepared, be prepared, be prepared till the end

[Verse 2]
G                               C    Am7      G
So, I practiced the knots and I learnt the creed
Em         A7          C          Am7       G
More morse codes and recipes than I'll ever need
      G
'Kept my woggle straight and my black shoes all shined
    A7                      C    Am7           G
All prepared, was prepared, each Monday 'round nine

[Bridge]
    D                    C           G
She tore through me like I was crepe paper
D                            C            G
And I guess I'll find all the pieces of me later
      Em                   A7
But I walk and wonder most days and most night
      Cadd9
why wasn't I prepared for the rest of my life?

[Interlude]
| G | C G | Em A | A G |

[Verse 3]
G                          C      Am7    G
I played some football for ten or twelve years
Em          A7                  C    Am7               G
Before them damn Rolling Stones wrecked my brilliant career
  G
I played like the guys I just can't stand them now
    A7                       C    Am7      G
They wait round the back for what they can steal

[Verse 4]
G                          C       Am7       G
I smoked and I joked and I fucked up through training
Em          A7              C  Am7              G
And I flicked the towel when I should have been changing
    G
But I don't play the backs of packs since that day
       A7                  C   Am7      G
Don't wait, don't wait or she'll get away

   A7                    C   Am7       G
Be prepared, be prepared or she'll get away

[Verse 5]
G                       C    Am7  G
A teenage production of West Side Story
Em          A7            C  Am7         G
My singing was crappy and my singing was poorly
    G
But my favourite song came about second act
        A7                     C   Am7        G
Play it cool, play it cool and you'll win her back

[Bridge]
    D                             C           G
And the chorus line stepped up to take the applause
     D                              C             G
With their hair gel melting through their teenage pores
        Em                          A7
And the parents never knew what was behind those smiles
Cadd9                          G            Em
Play it cool, play it cool and you'll be alright
   A7                    C    Am7          G
Be prepared, be prepared and she'll be alright


[Verse 7]
G                                     C    Am7  G
You don't like the mornings and I sure love the night
Em          A7            C  Am7         G
That's alright baby that's no reason to fight
     G
Lets meet up 'round seven when the cool air runs in again
       A7                          C    Am7        G
and be prepared, be prepared for a long long night in