AAmaj7
Standing on the water, casting your bread
Bm/AE/AA
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing
AAmaj7
Distant ships sailing into the mist
Bm/AE/AA
You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was
blowing
BmEA
Freedom just around the corner for you
BmEAD
But with truth so far off, what good will it do.
[Chorus]
ED
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
AE/G#F#mD
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
C#m7D6EA
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
[Verse 2]
AAmaj7
So swiftly the sun sets in the sky
Bm/AE/AAD/A
You rise up and say goodbye to no one
AAmaj7
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
Bm/AE/AA
Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don't show one
BmEA
Shedding off one more layer of skin
BmEAD
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.
[Chorus]
ED
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
AE/G#F#mD
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
C#m7D6EA
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
[Verse 3]
AAmmaj7
You're a man of the mountain, you can walk on the clouds
Bm/AE/AAD/A
Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister
A
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
Amaj7Bm/AE/AA
But what do you care ? Ain't nobody there would want marry your sister
BmEA
Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame
BmEAD
You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name.
[Chorus]
ED
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
AE/G#F#mD
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
C#m7D6EA
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
[Verse 4]
AAmmaj7
Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy
Bm/AE/AAD/A
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers
AAmaj7
In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed
Bm/AE/AA
Michelangeo indeed could've carved out your features
BmEA
Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space
BmEAD
Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face.
[Chorus]
ED
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
AE/G#F#mD
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
C#m7D6EA
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
[Verse 5]
AAmmaj7
Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame
Bm/AE/AAD/A
Preacherman seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain
AAmaj7
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks
Bm/AE/AA
Molotow cocktails and rocks behind every curtain
BmEA
False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin
BmEAD
Only a matter of time 'til the night comes stepping in.
[Chorus]
ED
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
AE/G#F#mD
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
C#m7D6EA
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
[Verse 6]
AAmaj7
It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray
Bm/AE/AAD/A
A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet
AAmaj7
He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat
Bm/AE/A
Take the motherless children off the street
A
And place them at the feet of a harlot
BmEA
Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants
BmEAD
Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response.
[Chorus]
ED
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
AE/G#F#mD
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
C#m7D6EA
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
[Coda]
| A | Amaj7 | Bm/A | E/A | A | D/A
| Bm | E | A | A
| Bm | E | A | D
| E | D | AE/G# | F#m