Tom: Gm
Eb Bb (4x)
[Verse 1]
Bb F
The disc brakes drag,
F Eb - Db - Cm Gm
The chequered flag sweeps across the oil-slick track
Bb F
The young man's home; dry as a bone
Eb - Db - Cm Gm Gm
His helmet off, he waves: the crowd waves back
[Pre-Chorus]
C F
One lap victory roll Gladiator soul
Dm Am D Eb
The taker of the day in winning has to say,
[Chorus]
Bb F Eb Em/5-
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand,
F
Dead or alive
Bb F Eb Em/5-
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand,
F
Dead or alive
[Verse 2]
Bb F
The sunlight streaks through the curtain cracks,
Eb - Db - Cm Gm
Touches the old man where he sleeps
Bb F
The nurse brings up a cup of tea
Eb - Db - Cm Gm
Two biscuits and the morning paper mystery
[Pre-Chorus 2]
C F
The hard road's end, the white god's-send
Dm Am D Eb
Is nearer everyday, in dying the old man says,
[Chorus]
Bb F Eb Em/5-
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand,
F
Dead or alive
Bb F Eb Em/5-
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand,
F
Dead or alive
[Instrumental]
Bb Bb7M Eb Bb
[Verse 3]
Bb F
The still-born child can't feel the rain
Eb - Db - Cm Gm
As the chequered flag falls once again
Bb F
The deaf composer completes his final score
Eb - Db - Cm Gm
He'll never hear the sweet encore
[Pre-Chorus 3]
C F
The chequered flag, the bull's red rag,
Dm Am
The lemming-hearted hordes
D Eb
Running ever faster to the shore singing,
[Chorus]
Bb F Eb Em/5-
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand,
F
Dead or alive
