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Version 1 Version 2Capo on 1 [Verse 1] A Amaj7 Standing on the water, casting your bread Bm/A E/A A While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing A Amaj7 Distant ships sailing into the mist Bm/A E/A A You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing Bm E A Freedom just around the corner for you Bm E A D But with truth so far off, what good will it do. [Chorus] E D Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune A E/G# F#m D Bird fly high by the light of the moon C#m7 D6 E A Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman. [Verse 2] A Amaj7 So swiftly the sun sets in the sky Bm/A E/A A D/A You rise up and say goodbye to no one A Amaj7 Fools rush in where angels fear to tread Bm/A E/A A Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don't show one Bm E A Shedding off one more layer of skin Bm E A D Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within. [Chorus] E D Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune A E/G# F#m D Bird fly high by the light of the moon C#m7 D6 E A Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman. [Verse 3] A Ammaj7 You're a man of the mountain, you can walk on the clouds Bm/A E/A A D/A Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister A You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah Amaj7 Bm/A E/A A But what do you care ? Ain't nobody there would want marry your sister Bm E A Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame Bm E A D You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name. [Chorus] E D Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune A E/G# F#m D Bird fly high by the light of the moon C#m7 D6 E A Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman. [Verse 4] A Ammaj7 Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy Bm/A E/A A D/A The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers A Amaj7 In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed Bm/A E/A A Michelangeo indeed could've carved out your features Bm E A Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space Bm E A D Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face. [Chorus] E D Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune A E/G# F#m D Bird fly high by the light of the moon C#m7 D6 E A Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman. [Verse 5] A Ammaj7 Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame Bm/A E/A A D/A Preacherman seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain A Amaj7 Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks Bm/A E/A A Molotow cocktails and rocks behind every curtain Bm E A False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin Bm E A D Only a matter of time 'til the night comes stepping in. [Chorus] E D Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune A E/G# F#m D Bird fly high by the light of the moon C#m7 D6 E A Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman. [Verse 6] A Amaj7 It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray Bm/A E/A A D/A A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet A Amaj7 He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat Bm/A E/A Take the motherless children off the street A And place them at the feet of a harlot Bm E A Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants Bm E A D Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response. [Chorus] E D Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune A E/G# F#m D Bird fly high by the light of the moon C#m7 D6 E A Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman. [Coda] | A | Amaj7 | Bm/A | E/A | A | D/A | Bm | E | A | A | Bm | E | A | D | E | D | A E/G# | F#m