Billy Bragg - Island of no return
tabsver. 1
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The song's pretty rough (especially live) so there's a little improvising and
stuff going on each time he plays it; the riff below is right bit to be honest the
harder and rougher you play this song the better it sounds so go nuts, I guess.
Main Riff
Em G
E|--------------------------------3-----------------------------|
B|--------------------------------3-----------------------------|
G|--------------------------4--4--4-----------------------------|
D|--2--2--7--7--7--7--7--5--5--5-----10--10--9------------------|
A|--2--2--------------------5--5----------------10--12--12--10--|
E|--0--0--------------------3--3--------------------------------|
To sound right it relies a lot on really hitting the low E when you strike the Em
and the G; when you play the G for a third time you want to hit the higher strings
as shown above to make it really sound like the record. With regards to the little
riff bit you can play pretty fast and loose with these notes and it sounds 'right'
if you throw in bits of palm muting or hammer on pretty much at random as long as
the chords and the basic riff notes stay tight.
Main Riff x 4
Verse 1
DiggDing all day and dCigging all night
To kEmeep my foxhole out of sight
DiggDing into dinner onC a plate on my knees
The Emsmell of damp webbing in the morning breeze
FearD in my stomach, feCar in the sky
I eaEmt my dinner with a weary eye
AfteDr all this it won'Ct be the same
MessEming around on Salisbury Plain
Break: G D C D x 2
Prechorus:
Pick Emup your feet, Dfall in, move out
We'reC going to a party way Ddown South
Me anEmd the Corporal out on Da spree
DamneCd from here to Deternity
Chorus:
Em Bm D C [Play the chorus chords twice
I can already taste the blood in my mouth without vocals and then
twice with them]
EmWe're going to a party Bmway down Dsouth C
Main riff x 4
Verse 2
DI hate this flat land, Cthere's no cover
Emfor sons and fathers and brothers and lovers
DI can take the killing, CI can take the slaughter
EmBut I don't talk to Sun reporters
DI never thought that CI would be
EmFighting fascists in the Southern Sea
DI saw one today and Cin his hand
EmWas a weapon that was made in Birmingham
Break
Prechorus
Chorus
Main Riff x4
Bridge:
I wish EmKipling and the Captain were Ghere
To recoDrd our pursuits for pCosterity
EmMe and the Corporal Gout on a spree
DDamned from here Cto eternity
Main Riff x 8
End with Em/D/C/G/strum Em.