Tuning: E A D G B E

This song is found on the bonus EP that comes with the deluxe version of Richard Thompson's record "Still" (2015). These are the basic chords, and does not in any way capture the wonderful details of Richard Thompson's virtuoso playing, variations and solos. But it's a good starting point for developing your own version of the song. Or just for singing along, perhaps substituting 'Fergus Laing' for the real name of the person who is the subject of this very biting text – the man who became ... well, see below for clues. The alternate verse 4 and last half verse are not on the recording, but has been heard live. Thompson has been clear that the song is about the New York property developer; under another name, for fear of being sued or worse. (But clearly identified in the quoute in the last half verse.) It was written before said property developer became the President of the USA. Part of the lyric deals with the circumstances around his golf course project in Scotland. Studio version similar to recording on YouTube (good for studying Richard's technique): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi-Ff3YJPOQ Live version with alternate text: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc7x9tLFexw [Verse 1]

^EmFergus Laing is a b^Deast of a ^Emman He s^Gtitches u^Ap and fl^Emeeces He wants to manic^Dure the w^Emorld And s^Gell it o^Aff in p^Emieces ^GHe likes to build his towers high He blo^Acks the sun out of the sky In the p^Hmenthouse the champagne's d^Ary And slightly g^Emassy

[Verse 2]

^EmFergus Laing, he wo^Drks so h^Emard As b^Gusy ^Aas a ^Embee is Fergus Laing has s^Deventeen f^Emriends ^GAll as d^Aull as ^Emhe is His s^Geventeen friends have seventeen wives ^AAll the perfect shape and size They ^Hmwag their tails and bat their e^Ayes Just like L^Emassie

[Chorus]

^AFergus Laing he builds and builds Yet small is his e^Emrection ^AFergus Laing has a fine head of hair When the wind's in the right dir^Emection ^D the wind's in the right dire^Cction ^H7

[Verse 3]

^EmFergus Laing and his s^Deventeen f^Emriends They li^Gve insi^Ade a ^Embubble There they withdraw and sh^Dut the d^Emoor At a^Gny s^Aign of tr^Emouble ^GShould the peasants wail and vent And a^Ask him where the money went He'll s^Hmimply say, it's all been s^Apent On being cl^Emassy

[Verse 4]

^EmFergus' buildings r^Deach the^Em sky Until y^Gou cann^Aot se^Eme 'em He thinks the old stuff ^Dhe pulls ^Emdown Belo^Gngs ^Ain a muse^Emum ^GHis own fair home is on the Park an a^Airy jewel, a city ark ^HmHung with Picasso, hung with Br^Aaque but nothing br^Emassy

[Chorus]

^AFergus Laing he builds and builds Yet small is his e^Emrection ^AFergus Laing has a fine head of hair When the wind's in the right dir^Emection ^D the wind's in the right dire^Cction ^H7 ^Em

[Alternate Verse 4]

His f^Gits are famous on the scene The sh^Aortest fuse, so cruel, so mean But do^Hmn't call him a drama q^Aueen Like Shirley B^Emassey

[Chorus]

^EmFergus Laing he fla^Dunts the^Em law But o^Gne day he^A'll be w^Emired And as they drag him ^Doff to j^Email We'll a^Gll shout,^A "You're fi^Emred!"

Richard Thompson - Fergus laing