Be Prepared
Elton John
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Tom:
Em - 022000
Cm
- xx5543
G - 320003
C - (2x)
Bm7b5 - xx0201
E7 - 020100
C/Bb - (2x)
A7 - (2x)
E - 022100
Esus - 022200
F
- 133211 (or the way I was taught was xx3211)
G7 - 320001
[Intro]
Am Dm Am Dm
I know that your powers of retention
Em Am
Are as wet as a warthog's backside.
Dm
But thick as you are pay attention
Em Am
My words are a matter of pride.
Cm Am
It's clear from your vacant expressions,
Cm Am
The lights are not all on upstairs.
G C
But we're talking kings, and successions,
E7
Bm7b5
Even YOU can't be caught unawares...
Am Dm
So prepare for the chance of a lifetime,
G C
Be prepared for sensational news...
Em Am Dm G
A shining new era is tip-toeing nearer
Em Am
And where do we feature?
Dm G
Just listen to teacher.
C
I know it sounds sordid,
C/Bb
But you'll be rewarded
A7 Dm
When at last I am given my dues,
E
Bm7b5
And injustice, deliciously squared,
Esus E Am F
Be prepared!
E7
Yeah, be prepared, heh, heh,
Am
We'll be prepared, heh.
For what?
Dm
For the death of the king!
Em
Why, is he sick?
Am
No fools, we're gunna kill him...
And Simba too...
Great idea, who needs a king?
Dm Em
No king, no king, la la la la la la!
Am
Idiots! There will be a king!
Cm
Hey but you said er--
I WILL BE KING!
Am Cm
Stick with me, and you'll never go hungry again!
Am
Yay, alright!
G
Yeah,alright!
C
Alright!
Long live the king,
E
Bm7b5
Long live the king!
Am Dm
It's great that we'll soon be connected
Em Am
With a king who'll be all time adored.
Dm
Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected,
Em Am
To take certain duties on board...
Cm Am
The future is littered with prizes
Cm Am
And though I'm the main addressee,
G G7 C
The point that I must emphasize is,
E
Bm7b5
YOU WON'T GET A SNIFF WITHOUT ME!
Am Dm
So prepare for the coup of the century
G C
Be prepared for the murkiest scam
Em Am Dm G
Meticulous planning, tenacity spanning,
Em Am
Decades of denial
Dm G
Is simply why I'll
C
Be king undisputed,
C/Bb
respected, saluted,
A7 Dm
And seen for the wonder I am.
E
Bm7b5
Yes my teeth and ambitions are bared.
Esus E Am
Be Prepared!
E
Bm7b5
Yes our teeth and ambitions are bared,
Am
Be prepared!
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How to practice this chord sheet
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Progression and practice
Detected progression: Cm → F → Am → Dm → Am → Dm → Em → Am
The harmony or tempo is more demanding. Work on the hard changes before playing the whole song.
- Start at 60 BPM. Speed up once you can keep time without stopping.
- Practice the two hardest chord changes first, then go back to the whole song.
- Use the transpose button if the key feels uncomfortable for your voice or the chord shapes you know.
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