TAB by Song : 22585
Tab List Area
1 Pages 1 Results
What It Is by Mark Knopfler
What It Is
(A) = Play quick, one strum
[Intro]
F#m (A) D A
F#m (A) D E
[Verse]
F#m A
The drinking dens are spilling out and staggering in the square
D A E
There`s lads and lassies falling about and a crackling in the air
F#m A
Down around the dungeon doors, the shelters and the keeps
D A E (F#m)
Everybody`s looking for somebody`s arms to fall into this way
That`s what it is now...
(Riff: Sorry, I stole this one..)
fast (1/2) bend
E|---------------------------------------------------------|
H|---------------------5/7~--5h7p5----6BU7-7---------------|
G|---2h4BU6BD4p2------6---------------------6--------------|
D|--4----------------7-----------------------7----6--------|
A|-----------------------------------------------9BUBD7----|
E|---------------------------------------------------------|
or: F#m (A) D E
[Chorus]
F#m (A) D A
It`s (that`s) what it is
F#m (A) D E
It`s what it is now
[Verse 2]
(same chords)
There`s frost on the graves and the monuments but the taverns are warm in town
People curse the government and shovel hot food down
Lights are out in city hall ,the castle and the keep
Moon shines down upon it all the legless and asleep
[Pre-Chorus]
D A
Cold on the tollgate where the wagons creeping through
D A E
Cold on the tollgate God knows what I can do with you
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
(same chords)
The garnison sleeps in the citadel with the ghosts and the ancient stones
High on the parapet the scottish pipers stands alone
High on the wind the highland drums begin to roll
And something from the past just comes and stares into my soul
[Pre-Chorus]
D A
Cold on the tollgate where the caledonian blues
D A E
Cold on the tollgate god knows what I can do with you
[Chorus]
[Verse 4]
(same chords)
There’s a chink of light as a burning wick, there’s a lantern in the tower
Wee Willie Winkie with the candle sticks still writing songs in the wee Wee hours
On charlotte street they take a walking stick from my hotel
The ghost of Dirty Dick is still in search of little nell
[Chorus]
| h Hammer-on
| p Pull-off
| / Slide up
| ~ Vibrato
| BD bend down
| BU bend up
------------------
version 2
Tuning: E A D G B E
[Verse riff]
e|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-10--------------10--------------------10--------------10--------------------------|
G|-9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9----9-11~--9~---9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9----9-11~-------------|
D|--------------11--------11--------------------------11--------11-------11-9-7~-9~--|
A|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| (x2)
[Chorus riff]
e|--------------------------------------------------|
B|------------------5h7~--5h7p5----6/7-7------------|
G|---2h4/6/4p2-----6--------------------6-----------|
D|-4--------------7----------------------7----------|
A|--------------------------------------------9brp7-|
E|--------------------------------------------------|
[Intro]
F#m D E x8
[Verse]
F#m A
The drinking dens are spilling out and staggering in the square
D A E
There`s lads and lassies falling about and a crackling in the air
F#m A
Down around the dungeon doors, the shelters and the queues
D A E
Everybody`s looking for somebody`s arms to fall into this way...
[Chorus]
F#m D E
It`s what it is
F#m D E
It`s what it is now
[Verse]
F#m A
There`s frost on the graves and the monuments but the taverns are warm in town
D A E
People curse the government and shovel hot food down
F#m A
Lights are out in city hall, the castle and the keep
D A E
Moon shines down upon it all the legless and asleep
[Pre-Chorus]
D A
Cold on the tollgate where the wagons creeping through
D A E
Cold on the tollgate, god knows what I can do with you
[Chorus]
F#m D E
It`s what it is
F#m D E
It`s what it is now
[Verse]
F#m A
The garnison sleeps in the citadel with the ghosts and the ancient stones
D A E
High on the parapet the scottish pipers stands alone
F#m A
High on the wind the highland drums begin to roll
D A E
And something from the past just comes and stares into my soul
[Pre-Chorus]
D A
Cold on the tollgate where the caledonian blues
D A E
Cold on the tollgate, god knows what I can do with you
[Chorus]
F#m D E
It`s what it is
F#m D E
It`s what it is now
F#m D E
It`s what it is
F#m D E
It`s what it is now
[Solo]
F#m A D A E x2
F#m D E x4
[Verse]
F#m A
There’s a chink of light as a burning wick, there’s a lantern in the tower
D A E
Wee Willie Winkie with the candle sticks still writing songs in the wee wee hours
F#m A
On Charlotte Street they take a walking stick from my hotel
D A E
The ghost of Dirty Dick is still in search of Little Nell
[Chorus]
F#m D E
It`s what it is
F#m D E
It`s what it is now
F#m D E
It`s what it is
F#m D E
It`s what it is now...
[Outro]
F#m D E x24
------------------
version 3
Tuning: E A D G B E
Tuning: Standard
[Intro]
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
[Verse]
F#m A
The drinking dens are spilling out and staggering in the square,
D A E
There's lads and lasses falling about and a crackelling in the air
F#m A
Then around the dungeon doors there's shelters in the queues,
D A/C# E
Everybody's looking for somebody's arms to fall into
[Chorus]
F#m | D E |
It's what it is
F#m | D E |
That's what it is, now
[Verse]
F#m A
Here's frost on the graves and the monuments but the taverns are warm in town
D A E
People curse the government and shovel hot food down
F#m A
Lights are out in cityhall, the castle and the keep
D A E
Moon shines down upon it all, the legless and the sleepless
[Bridge]
D A
Cold on a tollgate where the wagons creeping through
D A E
Cold on a tollgate, God knows what I can do
[Chorus]
F#m | D E |
It's what it is
F#m | D E |
That's what it is, now
[Verse]
F#m A
The garrison sleeps and the citadel with the ghosts and the ancient stones
D A E
High on the parapet the Scottish piper stands alone
F#m A
And high on the wind, The highland drums begin to roll
D A/C# E
And something from the past just comes and stares into my soul
[Bridge]
D A
And it's cold on the tollgate, With the Caledonian Blues
D A E
Cold on a tollgate, God knows what I can do with you
[Chorus]
F#m | D E |
It's what it is
F#m | D E |
That's what it is, now
F#m | D E |
What it is
F#m | D E |
That's what it is, now
[Solo]
| F#m | A | D | A E |
| F#m | A | D | A E |
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
[Verse]
F#m A
There's a chink of light as a burning wick, there's a lantern in the tower
D A E
Wee Willie Winkie with the candle sticks still writing songs in the mean wee hours
F#m A
On Charlotte Street they take a walking stick from my hotel
D A E
The ghost of Dirty Dick is still in search of little Nell
[Chorus]
F#m | D E |
It's what it is
F#m | D E |
It's what it is, now
F#m | D E |
It's what it is
F#m | D E |
What it is, now
[Instrumental]
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
[Outro Solo]
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
[Coda]
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E |
1 + 2 +
| F#m | D E | F#m | D E
------------------
version 4
[0:16]
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|--10--------------10-------------------------------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9----9-11~-----9~-----------|
D|---------------11--------11------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
[0:20]
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|--10-----------------------------------------------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9---------------------------|
D|---------------11--------11-9--------9-------------|
A|------------------------------12~------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
[0:24]
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|--10--------------10--------10---------------------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9-------11~--BU13BD11p9~----|
D|---------------11--------11------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
[0:28]
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|--10-----------------------------------------------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9---------------------------|
D|---------------11-11-----11-9--7~--------9~--------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
[0:38]
E|--------------------|
B|--5-----5-5-5/7-----|
G|--6-----------------|
D|--------------------|
A|--------------------|
E|--------------------|
[0:48]
fast (1/2) bend
E|---------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------5/7~--5h7p5----6BU7-7---------------|
G|---2h4BU6BD4p2------6---------------------6--------------|
D|--4----------------7-----------------------7----6--------|
A|-----------------------------------------------9BUBD7----|
E|---------------------------------------------------------|
[1:07] [1:11]
E|----------------------------------------|
B|---5--5--3------------------------------|
G|---6--4--2----------2/11----------------|
D|--------------------2/12----------------|
A|----------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|
[1:20]
fast (1/2) bend
E|---------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------5/7~--5----6BU7BD6BU7-5-------------|
G|---2h4BU6BD4p2------6-----------------------6------------|
D|--4----------------7-------------------------7---4BUBD-2-|
A|---------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------|
[1:30] [1:33]
E|---5--4------2---------5-4--------------|
B|---5--5------3------2/5-5--7-5----------|
G|-------------2-----------------6--------|
D|-------(2/4)----------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|
[1:38] [1:41]
E|------------------------------2---------|
B|---7------------------2-0-----3---------|
G|-----6-4-------------x----2-1-2---------|
D|---------7----------x-------------------|
A|-----------------2/3/4------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|
[1:45] [1:49]
E|---5-5-5-4--0-2-------------------------|
B|---5-5-5-5----3--------------------9----|
G|------------1-2-------------9-9-11------|
D|----------------------/11-12------------|
A|----------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|
[1:51] fast (1/2) bend
E|---------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------5/7~--5----6BU7--7------------------|
G|---2h4BU6BD4p2------6-------------------6----------------|
D|--4----------------7----------------------7----6---------|
A|----------------------------------------------9BUBDp7----|
E|---------------------------------------------------------|
[1:59]
E|-----------------------5---------------------------------|
B|---------------2h5-5/7---7-5----6BU7BD6BU7-5BU7BD5-------|
G|---2h4BU6BD4p2------------------------------------6-4-2--|
D|--4------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------|
[2:05]
E|-------------------|
B|--x-x-----5---h7---|
G|--x-x-----4--------|
D|--x-x-5/6----------|
A|-------------------|
E|-------------------|
[2:07]
E|----------------2------------------------------------2-2-2-----------|
B|----------2----2--5p2-----------------5BU7BD5p3-5BU7-------5-3-5-----|
G|------2--2--2h4------4p2-2~~~~/--------------------------------------|
D|-----2--4------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--2h4----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
[2:13]
slow bend
E|-----------------------2-4-2--------2--------------------------------|
B|--3h5p3---5--------5BU7------2-5BU7---5-2----------------------------|
G|--------6---4~----------------------------2--------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------4------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
[2:20]
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|----------5~~~--------5----------------------------------------------|
G|----1-2-4-4BU6-4---2--4--2--1----------------------------------------|
D|--4------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
[2:23]
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------5/7----5BU7-7-------------------------------|
G|-------2h4BU6BD4p2------6--------------6-6---------------------------|
D|--4---4----------------7-----------------7p6-------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------9--7--------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
[2:31]
E|---------------------------5--------5--2------------------------------|
B|-----------------------5h7---7-5---X-----5--2-------------------------|
G|----2h4BU6BD4p2-------6-----------X-----------2-4BU6BD4p2h4--2----1/2-|
D|--4------------------7------------------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
[2:55] [2:59] (delay) [3:04]
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------------------10~-9~-BU10-9-------------|
G|----2h4BU6BD4p2--------4BU6-4BU6-4-2---------------------11----------|
D|--4--------------------------------------------------------11--------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------12-9--7-|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
[3:10] [3:14]
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------2-5----------------------------------------|
G|----2h4BU6BD4p2-------4BU6----4BU6-4-2--4-2~--/4~--------------------|
D|--4------------------------------------4-4---------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
[3:18] slow bend
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-------7---7-9-10-9~--BU10-9-7---------------------------------------|
G|--9BU11------------------------9p6-----------------------------------|
D|-----------------------------------7p6-/9--7-9/11-9------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
[3:26] [3:30]
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------5/7-------------------------------------------|
G|----2h4BU6BD4p2-------6--------6-6-4---4-/6-4------------------------|
D|--4------------------7---------------7-------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
[3:34] fast (1/2) bend
E|--5-5-4--------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------5-7--BUBDp5--------------------------------------------------|
G|--6-6-4-4------------2-1-2/4-2p1-------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------2-2/4--------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
[3:42]
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------5/7------5~--5BU7-5BU7BD5---------------------|
G|----2h4BU6BD4p2-------6-----------------------6----------------------|
D|--4------------------7--------------------------7-4------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------7----------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
3:49 3:53
E|-------------------------------4BU5BD4p2p0--------------------------|
B|-------------------10-7-------------------2------------------10-10--|
G|----- ------6/9BU11-----9~-----------------2-1/2h4-4BU6-4----9--9---|
D|-------6/7-9--------------------------------------------------------|
A|--9\7/9-------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
3:56
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|--10--------------10-------------------------------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9----9h11~-----9~-----------|
D|---------------11--------11------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
4:00
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|--10--------------10-------------------------------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9-----9p7---/9--------------|
D|---------------11---------11-9p7---/9--------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
4:04
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|--10--------------10--------10---------------------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9-------11~--BU13BD11p9~----|
D|---------------11--------11------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
4:08
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|--10-----------------------------------------------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9--------------x------------|
D|---------------11-11-----11-9--7~-----x--9~--------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
4:12
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------|
G|----11-9---11--9--11---11h14p11h14-13~-------------|
D|--11----11------11---------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
4:16
E|-----------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------------------------|
G|--11h13BU14-13-11-9h11-------------9-----------------|
D|-----------------------11~~~------9h11---------9-7-9-|
A|-----------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------|
4:20
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|-------7-10p7---7--10BU12-10-9~--------------------|
G|--9BU11-------9------------------------------------|
D|---------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
4:20
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|--9BU10-9------------------------------------------|
G|----------11p9-------------------------------------|
D|--------------11p9-11------------------------------|
A|----------------------12---------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
4:26
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------|
G|--7-------7-7-9-----9---h11p9----------------------|
D|--7-------7-7-9-----9--------11--------------------|
A|------7h9-------9/11-------------------------------|
E|----10---------------------------------------------|
4:28
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|--10--------------10-------------------------------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9----9/11~-----9~-----------|
D|---------------11--------11------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
4:32
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|--10-----------------------------------------------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9-----9----7---9------------|
D|---------------11--------11--9----7---9------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
4:36
E|---------------------------------------------------|
B|--10-----------------------10----------------------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9-----/11~--BU13BD11p9~-----|
D|---------------11--------11------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
4:40
E|------------------------------------0--------------|
B|--10--------------10----------------0--------------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9------7--x--1--------------|
D|---------------11--------11-9-7--x--2--------------|
A|------------------------------------2--------------|
E|------------------------------------0--------------|
[Intro]
F#m (A) |D E| F#m |D E| F#m |D E| F#m |D E|
lead guitar enters
F#m |D E| F#m |D E| F#m |D E| F#m |D E|
(A) means A played shortly
[Verse]
F#m A D |A E|
F#m A D |A E|
"What it is"-part:
F#m |D E|
F#m |D E|
[Bridge]
D A D |A E|
First guitar solo:
F#m A D |A E|
F#m A D |A E|
F#m |D E|
F#m |D E|
F#m |D E|
F#m |D E|
After last Verse it's all simply:
F#m |D E|
The drinking dens are spilling out
There's staggering in the square
There's lads and lasses falling about
And a crackling in the air
Down around the dungeon doors
The shelters and the queues
Everybody's looking for
Somebody's arms to fall into
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
There's frost on the graves and the monuments
But the taverns are warm in town
People curse the government
And shovel hot food down
The lights are out in city hall
The castle and the keep
The moon shines down upon it all
The legless and asleep
And it's cold on the tollgate
With the wagons creeping through
Cold on the tollgate
God knows what I could do with you
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
The garrison sleeps in the citadel
With the ghosts and the ancient stones
High up on the parapet
A Scottish piper stands alone
And high on the wind
The highland drums begin to roll
And something from the past just comes
And stares into my soul
And it's cold on the tollgate
With the Caledonian blues
Cold on the tollgate
God knows what I could do with you
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
What it is
It's what it is now
There's a chink of light, there's a burning wick
There's a lantern in the tower
Wee willie winkie with a candlestick
Still writing songs in the wee wee hours
On Charlotte Street
I take A walking stick from my hotel
The ghost of Dirty Dick
Is still in search of little nell
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
Oh, it's what it is
What it is now
| x Dead note
| h Hammer-on
| p Pull-off
| / Slide up
| \ Slide down
| ~ Vibrato
------------------
version 5
F#m
2 0 4 2 2 2 D
x x 0 2 3 2 C
x 3 2 0 1 0 Em
0 2 2 0 0 0
G
3 2 0 0 0 3
Gtr I (E A D G B E) - 'Rhythm (Nylon Acoustic)'
Gtr II (E A D G B E) - 'Rhythm (Steel Acoustic)'
Gtr III (E A D G B E) - 'Lead (w. Distortion)'
Q=122
4/4
Gtrs I, II
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E E E
||--0----0-(0)-0-3--|-3----2-(2)-2-3-0-|
||o-0----0-(0)-0-0--|-1----3-(3)-3-3-0-|
||--0--0-0-(0)-0-0--|-0--2-2-(2)-2-2-0-|
||--2--2-2-(2)-0-0--|-2--0-0-(0)-0-----|
||o-2--2---------2--|-3----------------|
||--0--0---------3--|------------------|
Q E E +E E E E Q E E +E E E E
|-0----0-(0)-0-0-0-|-0----2-(2)-2-3-0---||
|-0--0-0-(0)-0-0-0-|-2----3-(3)-3-3-0--o||
|-0--0-0-(0)-0-0-0-|-0--2-2-(2)-2-2-0---||
|-2--2-2-(2)-2-2-0-|-2--0-0-(0)-0-------||
|-2--2-------------|-3-----------------o||
|-0--0-------------|--------------------||
Em
Gtrs I, II
Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | |
/ / / / / /
Gtr III
S S S S S S E S S S S E E
|--------------------------------------|
|-10-10-10------------10----10-10------|
|--9h11-11-11-11p9-----9h11-11--9----9-|
|------------------11-------------11---|
|--------------------------------------|
|--------------------------------------|
C D Em
Q E E +E E E E Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / /
~~~ ~~~
a Q. E +H S S S S S S E S S S S E E
|----------------------|---------------------------------------|
|----------------------|-10------------------10----------------|
|-9h11-----9-(9)-------|--9h11-11-11-11p9-----9h11-11-9----9s==|
|----------------------|------------------11------------11-9s==|
|----------------------|---------------------------------------|
|----------------------|---------------------------------------|
C (C)D Em
Gtrs I, II
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / /
Gtr III
Q. E +H S S S S S S E S S S S E E
|-----------------|---------------------------------------|
|-----------------|-10----10-10---------10----10-10----10-|
|-7---------------|--9h11-11-11-11p9-----9h11-11--9-------|
|-7-----9-(9)-----|------------------11-------------11----|
|-----------------|---------------------------------------|
|-----------------|---------------------------------------|
C D
Q E E +E E E E
| | | | | | |
/ / / / / / /
a Q. +S S H
|------------------------------|
|------------------------------|
|-9h(11)b13r====(11)-11p9------|
|------------------------------|
|------------------------------|
|------------------------------|
$
Em C D Em
Gtrs I, II
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E E E H E E E E
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Gtr III
S S S S S S E S E S E E Q e E +H Q E E +E E E E
|----------------------------------|------------------|------2-(2)-2-2-0------|
|-10----10-10---------10-----------|------------------|------2-(2)-2-2-0------|
|--9h11-11-11-11p9-----9h11-9----9s|=7----------------|-2----2-(2)-2-2-0------|
|------------------11---------11-9s|=7----9-(9)-------|-4--4-4-(4)-4-4--------|
|----------------------------------|----7-------------|-4--4------------------|
|----------------------------------|------------------|-2--2------------------|
G C G D
Gtrs I, II
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Gtr III
Q E E E Q E Q E E +E E E E Q E S S E E E E
|----0-0-0--0---0-|-2--2-2-(2)--2-2-0-|-------------0--------|
|----2-2-2--0---0-|-3--3-3-(3)--3-3-0-|-2--2-0-0--0-0-0------|
|-2--2-2-2--2---0-|-2--2-2-(2)--2-2-0-|-2--2-0-0--1-1-1------|
|-2--2-2-2--2-----|-0----0-(0)--0-----|-2--2-0-0--2-2-2-0----|
|-0------0--------|-------------------|-0---------2-2-2-0----|
|-----------------|-------------------|-----------0---0-0----|
Em G C
Gtrs I, II
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Gtr III
Q E E +E E E E Q E E E Q E Q E E +E E E E Q E S S E E E E
|------2-(2)--2-2-0-|----0-0--0-0--0-|-2--2-2-(2)-2-2-0-|-------------0-----||
|------2-(2)--2-2-0-|----2-2--2-0--0-|-3--3-3-(3)-3-3-0-|-2--2-0--0-0-0-0---||
|-2----2-(2)--2-2-0-|-2--2-2--2-2--0-|-2--2-2-(2)-2-2-0-|-2--2-0--0-1-1-1---||
|-4--4-4-(4)--4-4---|-2--2-2--2-2----|-0----0-(0)-0-----|-2--2-0--0-2-2-2-0-||
|-4--4--------------|-0-------0------|------------------|-0---------2-2-2-0-||
|-2--2--------------|----------------|------------------|-----------0---0-0-||
Em
Gtrs I, II
Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | |
/ / / / / /
Gtr III
Q S S S S +S S E +S S S S
|----------------------------------|
|------------------------------2h5s|
|--------2h4b6-(4)r(4)p2-(2)-2-----|
|------4---------------------------|
|----------------------------------|
|----------------------------------|
C D Em
Q E E +E E E E Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / /
~~ ~~~
Q. E +H E E +Q E E E E
|-------------------|--------------2----------|
|-7-----5-(5)-------|---5b7-(5)------2--------|
|-------------------|------------------2s1----|
|-------------------|-------------------------|
|-------------------|-------------------------|
|-------------------|-------------------------|
To Coda
C D Em
Gtrs I, II
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / /
Gtr III
Q. +S S H Q E E +E E E E
|--------------------||-------2-(2)-2-2-0-|
|--------------------||o------2-(2)-2-2-0-|
|--------------------||--2----2-(2)-2-2-0-|
|-4b5----(4)r=4p2----||--4--4-4-(4)-4-4---|
|--------------------||o-4--4-------------|
|--------------------||--2--2-------------|
G C
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / /
Q E E E Q E Q E E +E E E E
|----0-0--0-0---0-|-2--2-2-(2)-2-2-0--|
|----2-2--2-0---0-|-3--3-3-(3)-3-3-0--|
|-2--2-2--2-2---0-|-2--2-2-(2)-2-2-0--|
|-2--2-2--2-2-----|-0----0-(0)-0------|
|-0-------0-------|-------------------|
|-----------------|-------------------|
G D Em G C
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Q E S S E E E E Q E E +E E E E Q E E E Q E Q E E +E E E E
|-------------0-----|------2-(2)-2-2-0-|-----0--0-0-0--0-|-2--2-2-(2)-2-2-0-|
|-2--2-0--0-0-0-0---|------2-(2)-2-2-0-|-----2--2-2-0--0-|-3--3-3-(3)-3-3-0-|
|-2--2-0--0-1-1-1---|-2----2-(2)-2-2-0-|-2---2--2-2-2--0-|-2--2-2-(2)-2-2-0-|
|-2--2-0--0-2-2-2-0-|-4--4-4-(4)-4-4---|-2---2--2-2-2----|-0----0-(0)-0-----|
|-0---------2-2-2-0-|-4--4-------------|-0--------0------|------------------|
|-----------0---0-0-|-2--2-------------|-----------------|------------------|
G D C G C
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Q E S S E E E E Q E E +E E E E Q E E +E E E E Q E E +E E E E
|-------------0-----||-2--2-2-(2)-2-2-0-|----0-0-(0)-0-----|-2--2-2-(2)-2-2-0-|
|-2--2-0--0-0-0-0---||-3--3-3-(3)-3-3-0-|-2--2-2-(2)-2-2-0-|-3--3-3-(3)-3-3-0-|
|-2--2-0--0-1-1-1---||-2--2-2-(2)-2-2-0-|-2--2-2-(2)-2-2-0-|-2--2-2-(2)-2-2-0-|
|-2--2-0--0-2-2-2-0-||-0----0-(0)-0-----|-2--2-2-(2)-2-2-0-|-0----0-(0)-0-----|
|-0---------2-2-2-0-||------------------|-0--0---------0---|------------------|
|-----------0---0-0-||------------------|------------------|------------------|
G D Em
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / /
~
Q E E Q E E Q E S S +S S E E E
|-----------------||---------------------------|
|-2--2-0--0---0-0-||-----------------------2h5s|
|-2--2-0--1---1-0-||------2h=4b6-(4)r(4)p2-----|
|-2--2-0--2---2-0-||---------------------------|
|-0--0----2---2-0-||---------------------------|
|---------0-------||---------------------------|
C D Em
Q E E +E E E E Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / /
~~ ~~~
Q. E +H E a +E +S +S +E +E E E E
|--------------------|-------------------------------------|
|-7-------5-(5)------|---5b7-(5)-(5)r(5)b7-(5)-(5)r-5-2----|
|--------------------|----------------------------------2--|
|--------------------|-------------------------------------|
|--------------------|-------------------------------------|
|--------------------|-------------------------------------|
C D Em C D
Q E E +E E E E Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E E E
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
~~~
Q. +S +S H Q E S S +S S E E E a E E E E +H
|------------------------||---------------------------|-----5----------------|
|-----------------------o||-----------------------2h5-|-5s7----7-5-(5)-------|
|------------------------||------2h=4b6-(4)r(4)p2-----|----------------------|
|-4b5-----(4)r(4)-2------||---------------------------|----------------------|
|-----------------------o||---------------------------|----------------------|
|------------------------||---------------------------|----------------------|
Em C
Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | |
/ / / / / /
E a +S +S +Q a +E +E E E
|---------------------------------------|
|---5b7-(5)r(5)b7-(5)r(5)b7-(5)r(5)-2---|
|-------------------------------------4-|
|---------------------------------------|
|---------------------------------------|
|---------------------------------------|
D Em
Q E E +E E E E Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / /
Q. S S a E E E E S S S S S S S S S S S S S S e
|-----------------------||------------------------2--------|
|-----------------5---7-||----------------2-----2---5p2----|
|-2-------x-x-----4-4-6-||-------2-----2----2h4---------4--|
|---------x-x-4s6-------||-----2---2h4---------------------|
|-----------------------||-2h4-----------------------------|
|-----------------------||---------------------------------|
G
Q E E +E E E E
| | | | | | |
/ / / / / / /
H +E E a +E S S
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|-2--------(2)/---9b11-(9)r(9)-7-|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
C G D
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E E E
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / /
~
|---3----| |--3--|
a Q Q Q Q Q Q Q a S S E E Q.
|---------------------------|---------------------|
|----------7----7---7-------|---------------------|
|-9b11-9---------------9--7-|-9---7h=9p7p6-9------|
|---------------------------|----------------9----|
|---------------------------|---------------------|
|---------------------------|---------------------|
Em G
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E E E
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / /
|--3--|
+S S a +Q E Q Q Q Q. +E E E E E
|-----------------------------|----------------------|
|-------------------7-9--7----|--------------7-5-----|
|--------9b11-(9)-----------6-|-9b11-----(9)-----6---|
|-(9)/------------------------|--------------------7-|
|-----------------------------|----------------------|
|-----------------------------|----------------------|
C G D
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E E E
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / /
|----3----| |--3--|
Q. E +E E E E a +Q Q Q Q Q Q
|-------------------|-----------------------------|
|-------------------|-5b7-(5)------------5--5-----|
|---------------2h4-|-4---(4)---4----2---4--2--1--|
|-4-----4-(4)-6-----|-----------------------------|
|-------------------|-----------------------------|
|-------------------|-----------------------------|
Em
Q E E +E E E E
| | | | | | |
/ / / / / / /
E E S S S S +S S E +S S S S
|------------------------------------|
|--------------------------------2h5s|
|----------2h4b6-(4)r(4)p2-(2)-2-----|
|-4-4---4----------------------------|
|------------------------------------|
|------------------------------------|
C D Em
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E E E
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / /
~~
Q. E H E E +Q E E E E
|-----------------|--------------2----------|
|-7-------5-5-----|---5b7-(5)------2--------|
|-----------------|------------------2s1----|
|-----------------|-------------------------|
|-----------------|-------------------------|
|-----------------|-------------------------|
C D Em C D
Q E E +E E Q Q E E +E E E E Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
~~~
Q. E +H Q S S S S +S S E +S S S S E E E E +H
|-------------------|-----------------------------------|---5-----------------|
|-------------------|-------------------------------2h5s|=7---7--5-(5)--------|
|-------------------|---------2h4b6-(4)r(4)p2-(2)-2-----|---------------------|
|-4-------2-(2)-----|------4----------------------------|---------------------|
|-------------------|-----------------------------------|---------------------|
|-------------------|-----------------------------------|---------------------|
D.S. al Coda
Em C D
Q E E +E E E E Q E E +E E Q
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
/ / / / / / / / / / / / /
Q S S E E E E E +E E +S S S S +Q E S S
|---------5-----------|-----------------------------------|
|------x------7-------|-----------------------------------|
|----x----------6-4-2-|-(2)-4b6-(4)r4p=2h4-(4)----2-1-----|
|---------------------|-----------------------------------|
|---------------------|-----------------------------------|
|---------------------|-----------------------------------|
&
Em C D Em
W H H W
| | | |
/ / / /
|--3---| |--3--|
W H Q E E +Q Q Q Q Q Q
|------------|------------4b5-|-(4)--4--2-------------|
|------------|----------------|------------5--2-------|
|------------|----------------|------------------2----|
|------------|----------------|-----------------------|
|------------|----------------|-----------------------|
|------------|----------------|-----------------------|
C D Em C D
H H W H H
| | | | |
/ / / / /
~
H H Q E S S a +S S Q. W
|------------||---------------------------|--------------|
|------------||---------------------------|--------------|
|------------||--------2-4b6-(4)r(4)p2----|--------------|
|-4----------||------4--------------------|--------------|
|------------||---------------------------|--------------|
|------------||---------------------------|--------------|
Em C D Em
W H H W
| | | |
/ / / /
|-3--|
E E +E E E a +E +E E E S S Q E +Q Q H E E +E E
|-------------------------------|------------------|----------------------|
|-----------2-5-----------------|------------------|-----------------7----|
|---4b6-(4)-----4b6-(4)r(4)-2---|-4---2--4-(4)-----|--------9b11-(9)------|
|-----------------------------4-|---4--------------|----------------------|
|-------------------------------|------------------|----------------------|
|-------------------------------|------------------|----------------------|
C D Em C D
H H W H H
| | | | |
/ / / / /
~~~~ ~
|--3---| |---3---| |-3-| |-3-|
Q Q Q H q Q E E E E E E a Q E Q a E H
|-----------------|-----------------------|----------------|
|-7--9--10-9b10---|-9--9--7---------------|----------------|
|-----------------|---------9p6-----------|----------------|
|-----------------|-------------7-6-9-7s9-|-9-7--9s11-9----|
|-----------------|-----------------------|----------------|
|-----------------|-----------------------|----------------|
Em C D Em C D
W H H W H H
| | | | | |
/ / / / / /
~~~~~~~
Q S S S S +S S E +S S S S S E. +H. H Q E E Q E a E H
|----------------------------------|--------------|-------------|------------|
|------------------------------2h5-|-5s7--(7)-----|---------2---|------------|
|--------2h4b6-(4)r(4)p2-(2)-2-----|--------------|-----------4p|=2---4s6s4--|
|------4---------------------------|--------------|-------------|------------|
|----------------------------------|--------------|-------------|------------|
|----------------------------------|--------------|-------------|------------|
Em C D Em C D
W H H W H H
| | | | | |
/ / / / / /
|--3--| |--3--|
Q E E Q Q Q H Q Q Q a Q. E E E E E +H H
|-------------------|---------------|------------------|-------|
|------10-10--9--5h=|=7-------------|------------------|-------|
|-------------------|---------2--1--|-2s4----2p1-------|-------|
|------11-11--9--6s=|=7-------------|------------4-2-4-|-(4)---|
|-------------------|---------------|------------------|-------|
|-------------------|---------------|------------------|-------|
Em
W
|
/
Q S S S S +S S E +S S S S
|----------------------------------|
|------------------------------2h5s|
|--------2h4b6-(4)r(4)p2-(2)-2-----|
|------4---------------------------|
|----------------------------------|
|----------------------------------|
C D Em
H H W
| | |
/ / /
~~ ~~~
Q. E +H Q a +Q a +E +E E E
|---------------|------------------------------|
|-7----5-(5)----|----5b7-(5)--5b7-(5)r(5)-2----|
|---------------|---------------------------2--|
|---------------|------------------------------|
|---------------|------------------------------|
|---------------|------------------------------|
C D Em C D
H H W H H
| | | | |
/ / / / /
~~
Q. E +H Q. E E E E E a E E E E H
|---------------|----------------|-------------------|
|---------------|----------------|------10-----------|
|---------------|-6----------6h9-|-9s11------11-9----|
|-4----2-(2)----|-4----6h7h9-----|-------------------|
|---------------|----------------|-------------------|
|---------------|----------------|-------------------|
Em C D
W H H
| | |
/ / /
E E +E S S E E E E E E a E E +Q E E
|--------------------------|-----------------------||
|---9b10-(9)r(9)p7---------|-----------------10-10-||
|------------------9-6-----|-----------------------||
|----------------------7-6-|-7s9-9s11-9-(9)---7--7-||
|--------------------------|-----------------------||
|--------------------------|-----------------------||
Em
W
|
/
S S S S S S E S S S S E E
|-------------------------------------|
|-10------------------10--------------|
|--9h11-11-11-11p9-----9h11p9-9----9--|
|------------------11-----------11----|
|-------------------------------------|
|-------------------------------------|
C D Em C D
H H W H H
| | | | |
/ / / / /
~~~
a Q. E +H S S S S S S E S E S E E Q. E Q Q
|-------------------|----------------------------------|-----------------|
|-------------------|-10------------------10-----------|-----------------|
|-9-11-----9-(9)----|--9h11-11-11-11p9-----9h11-9----9s|=7----9-9--------|
|-------------------|------------------11---------11-9s|=7----9-9--------|
|-------------------|----------------------------------|-----------------|
|-------------------|----------------------------------|-----------------|
Em
W
|
/
S S S S S S E S E S E E
|-----------------------------------|
|-10------------------10---------10-|
|--9h11-11-11-11p9-----9-11-9-------|
|------------------11---------11----|
|-----------------------------------|
|-----------------------------------|
C D Em
H H W
| | |
/ / /
~
a Q. +S S H S E S S S E S E S E E
|--------------------------|---------------------------------|
|--------------------------|-10---------------10-------------|
|-9h11b12---(11)r(11)p9----|--9h11-11-11-9-----9h11-9----9s==|
|--------------------------|---------------11---------11-9s==|
|--------------------------|---------------------------------|
|--------------------------|---------------------------------|
C D
H H
| |
/ /
Q. E +E S S E S S
|-------------------------|
|-------------------------|
|-7----9-(9)------11-9----|
|-7----9-(9)-9h11------11-|
|-------------------------|
|-------------------------|
Em C D
W H H
| | |
/ / /
~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~
Q. S S Q +S S S S Q E E Q. S S
|------------------------------|-------------------------|
|------------------------------|-------------------------|
|-11----9----11--(11)-11h14p11-|-14----13-13----11h13s===|
|---------11-------------------|-------------------------|
|------------------------------|-------------------------|
|------------------------------|-------------------------|
Em C D
W H H
| | |
/ / /
E E E S S Q. E S S S a S +E E Q Q
|-----------------------|-------------------------|
|-----------------------|-------------------------|
|-14-13-11-9h11---------|------9------------------|
|---------------11------|-9h11---11s9-(9)-7-9-----|
|-----------------------|-------------------------|
|-----------------------|-------------------------|
Em
W
|
/
~~~
E E +E E S S S S +Q
|------------------------------|
|------------7-10p7---7-(7)----|
|---9b11-(9)--------9----------|
|------------------------------|
|------------------------------|
|------------------------------|
C D Em
H H W
| | |
/ / /
~~ ~~~~~~~
E E +E E Q. E +E E S S S S S E. +E S S
|---------------------------|----------------------------|
|---10b12-(10)-10-9----9b11-|-(9)-9-7--------------------|
|---------------------------|---------9p6---6------------|
|---------------------------|-------------9---7--(7)-7-7-|
|---------------------------|------------------------4-5-|
|---------------------------|----------------------------|
C D
H H
| |
/ /
E S S S S E S S E S S e
|-----------------------------|
|-----------------------------|
|-------7-7-7------9-11p9-----|
|-7-----7-7-7------9------11--|
|-5-7h9-------9s11------------|
|-----------------------------|
Em C D
W H H
| | |
/ / /
~~~ ~
S S S S S S E S S S S E E a Q. E H
|-----------------------------------|----------------|
|-10-----------------10-------------|----------------|
|--9h11---11-11-9-----9h11p9-9----9-|-9h11----9-9----|
|-----------------11-----------11---|----------------|
|-----------------------------------|----------------|
|-----------------------------------|----------------|
Em
W
|
/
S S S S S S E S S S S E E
|---------------------------------------|
|-10------------------10----------------|
|--9h11-11-11-11p9-----9h11----9----9s==|
|------------------11-------11---11-9s==|
|---------------------------------------|
|---------------------------------------|
C D Em
H H W
| | |
/ / /
Q. E +Q Q S S S S S S E S E S E E
|----------------|-----------------------------------|
|----------------|-10------------------10---------10-|
|-7----9-(9)-----|--9h11-11-11-11p9-----9-11-9-------|
|-7----9-(9)-----|------------------11---------11----|
|----------------|-----------------------------------|
|----------------|-----------------------------------|
C D
H H
| |
/ /
a Q. +S S H
|--------------------------|
|--------------------------|
|-9h11b12---(11)r(11)p9----|
|--------------------------|
|--------------------------|
|--------------------------|
Em C D Em
W H H W
| | |
/ / /
S E S S S E S S S S E E Q E E +H +W
|----------------------------------|---------------|--------*|
|-10---------------10--------------|---------------|--------*|
|--9h11-11-11p9-----9h11----9----9s|=7--x-4-(4)----|-(4)----*|
|---------------11-------11---11-9s|=7--x-2-(2)----|-(2)----*|
|----------------------------------|----x-2-(2)----|-(2)----*|
|----------------------------------|----x-0-(0)----|-(0)----*|
The drinking dens are spilling out
There's staggering in the square
There's lads and lasses falling about
And a crackling in the air
Down around the dungeon doors
The shelters and the queues
Everybody's looking for
Somebody's arms to fall into
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
There's frost on the graves and the monuments
But the taverns are warm in town
People curse the government
And shovel hot food down
The lights are out in city hall
The castle and the keep
The moon shines down upon it all
The legless and asleep
And it's cold on the tollgate
With the wagons creeping through
Cold on the tollgate
God knows what I could do with you
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
The garrison sleeps in the citadel
With the ghosts and the ancient stones
High up on the parapet
A Scottish piper stands alone
And high on the wind
The highland drums begin to roll
And something from the past just comes
And stares into my soul
And it's cold on the tollgate
With the Caledonian blues
Cold on the tollgate
God knows what I could do with you
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
What it is
It's what it is now
There's a chink of light, there's a burning wick
There's a lantern in the tower
Wee willie winkie with a candlestick
Still writing songs in the wee wee hours
On Charlotte Street
I take A walking stick from my hotel
The ghost of Dirty Dick
Is still in search of little nell
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
Oh, it's what it is
What it is now
Duration Legend
---------------
W - whole; H - half; Q - quarter; E - 8th; S - 16th; T - 32nd; X - 64th; a - acciaccatura
+ - note tied to previous; . - note dotted; .. - note double dotted
Uncapitalized letters represent notes that are staccato (1/2 duration)
Irregular groupings are notated above the duration line
Duration letters will always appear directly above the note/fret number it represents the
duration for. Duration letters with no fret number below them represent rests. Multi-
bar rests are notated in the form Wxn, where n is the number of bars to rest for. Low
melody durations appear below the staff
Tablature Legend
----------------
h - hammer-on
p - pull-off
b - bend
pb - pre-bend
r - bend release (if no number after the r, then release immediately)
/\ - slide into or out of (from/to "nowhere")
s - legato slide
S - shift slide
- natural harmonic
[n] - artificial harmonic
n(n) - tapped harmonic
~ - vibrato
tr - trill
T - tap
TP - trem. picking
PM - palm muting
\n/ - tremolo bar dip; n = amount to dip
\n - tremolo bar down
n/ - tremolo bar up
/n\ - tremolo bar inverted dip
= - hold bend; also acts as connecting device for hammers/pulls
<> - volume swell (louder/softer)
x - on rhythm slash represents muted slash
o - on rhythm slash represents single note slash
Misc Legend
-----------
| - bar
|| - double bar
||o - repeat start
o|| - repeat end
*| - double bar (ending)
: - bar (freetime)
$ - Segno
& - Coda
Tempo markers - = BPM(8/16=s8/s16), where s8 = swing 8ths, s16 = swing 16ths
------------------
version 6
Tuning: E A D G B E
(intro)
e|---------------------------------------|
B|-10------------------10----------10----|
G|--9h11-11-11p9-----9h11-9----9-9h11-9--|
D|----------------11--------11-----------|
A|---------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------|
e|--------------------------------|
B|-10-----------------10----------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9----9-7-|
D|---------------11--------11-9-7-|
A|--------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------|
e|-----------------------------------------------|
B|-10------------------10------10----------------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9-----9h11-9--------9-9h11(13)-9--|
D|----------------11--------11-------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|
e|-----------------------------------|
B|-10-----------------10-------------|
G|--9h11-11-11p9----9h11-9----9>7-9--|
D|---------------11--------11-9>7-9--|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
The drinking dens are spilling out
There's staggering in the square
There's lads and lasses falling about
And a crackling in the air
Down around the dungeon doors
The shelters and the queues
Everybody's looking for
Somebody's arms to fall into
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
There's frost on the graves and the monuments
But the taverns are warm in town
People curse the government
And shovel hot food down
The lights are out in city hall
The castle and the keep
The moon shines down upon it all
The legless and asleep
And it's cold on the tollgate
With the wagons creeping through
Cold on the tollgate
God knows what I could do with you
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
The garrison sleeps in the citadel
With the ghosts and the ancient stones
High up on the parapet
A Scottish piper stands alone
And high on the wind
The highland drums begin to roll
And something from the past just comes
And stares into my soul
And it's cold on the tollgate
With the Caledonian blues
Cold on the tollgate
God knows what I could do with you
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
What it is
It's what it is now
There's a chink of light, there's a burning wick
There's a lantern in the tower
Wee willie winkie with a candlestick
Still writing songs in the wee wee hours
On Charlotte Street
I take A walking stick from my hotel
The ghost of Dirty Dick
Is still in search of little nell
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
Oh, it's what it is
What it is now
------------------
version 7
Tuning: E A D G B E
(intro)
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|---9h11-11-11-11p9----9h11p9----9-11—-9-9--------------------------|
D|-------------------11--------11------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|---9h11-11-11-11p9----9h11p9---------------------------------------|
D|-------------------11--------11-9-----9----------------------------|
A|----------------------------------12-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------10---------------------------------|
G|---9h11-11-11-11p9----9h11p9-------11/13\11-9----------------------|
D|-------------------11--------11------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|---9h11-11-11-11p9----9h11p9---------------------------------------|
D|-------------------11--------11-9-7--9-----------------------------|
A|--------------------------------9-7--9-----------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
The drinking dens are spilling out
There's staggering in the square
There's lads and lasses falling about
And a crackling in the air
Down around the dungeon doors
The shelters and the queues
Everybody's looking for
Somebody's arms to fall into
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
There's frost on the graves and the monuments
But the taverns are warm in town
People curse the government
And shovel hot food down
The lights are out in city hall
The castle and the keep
The moon shines down upon it all
The legless and asleep
And it's cold on the tollgate
With the wagons creeping through
Cold on the tollgate
God knows what I could do with you
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
The garrison sleeps in the citadel
With the ghosts and the ancient stones
High up on the parapet
A Scottish piper stands alone
And high on the wind
The highland drums begin to roll
And something from the past just comes
And stares into my soul
And it's cold on the tollgate
With the Caledonian blues
Cold on the tollgate
God knows what I could do with you
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
What it is
It's what it is now
There's a chink of light, there's a burning wick
There's a lantern in the tower
Wee willie winkie with a candlestick
Still writing songs in the wee wee hours
On Charlotte Street
I take A walking stick from my hotel
The ghost of Dirty Dick
Is still in search of little nell
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
Oh, it's what it is
What it is now
------------------
version 8
Tuning: E A D G B E
Solo
e|----------------------2----------------------------------------2-2-4-2-----|
B|--------------2-----2---5h2----------5-5b-5b-5-5-3-2-5-3-2-5-0-------------|
G|--------2---2---2h4---------4h2-2------------------------------------------|
D|------2---4----------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-2h4-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-2-5-5b-5-2-------------5-----5--------------------------------------------|
G|------------2-----1-2-4-6-4-2-4-2-1----------------------------------------|
D|--------------4-4----------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
The drinking dens are spilling out
There's staggering in the square
There's lads and lasses falling about
And a crackling in the air
Down around the dungeon doors
The shelters and the queues
Everybody's looking for
Somebody's arms to fall into
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
There's frost on the graves and the monuments
But the taverns are warm in town
People curse the government
And shovel hot food down
The lights are out in city hall
The castle and the keep
The moon shines down upon it all
The legless and asleep
And it's cold on the tollgate
With the wagons creeping through
Cold on the tollgate
God knows what I could do with you
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
The garrison sleeps in the citadel
With the ghosts and the ancient stones
High up on the parapet
A Scottish piper stands alone
And high on the wind
The highland drums begin to roll
And something from the past just comes
And stares into my soul
And it's cold on the tollgate
With the Caledonian blues
Cold on the tollgate
God knows what I could do with you
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
What it is
It's what it is now
There's a chink of light, there's a burning wick
There's a lantern in the tower
Wee willie winkie with a candlestick
Still writing songs in the wee wee hours
On Charlotte Street
I take A walking stick from my hotel
The ghost of Dirty Dick
Is still in search of little nell
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
Oh, it's what it is
What it is now
------------------
version 9
Tuning: E A D G B E
Key: F#m
Solo
[2:05]
e|----------------------------------------2-------------|
B|--------------------------------2-----2---5^2---------|
G|--x-x-------------------2-----2---2^4---------4-2-----|
D|--x-x--5/6^4----------2---2^4-------------------------|
A|-------------7----2^4---------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------|
e|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------7--7-7---------------------------7-9-7-------7-----------|
G|--9b9-7^9b---------9-7-9--7-9^7^6-9-----9b--------6-7b----9-6-------|
D|------------------------------------9-------------------------7-----|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------9---|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------------2^5-5-2-5-2-----------------------2^5/7--5--5b-7----------------|
G|-----------------4^6-4-2-4-2-1---------2^4b4^2---2----------------6--------------|
D|--------6-7-9------------------x-4---4------------------------------7-6-4--------|
A|--x-x-9--------------------------------------------------------------------7-7---|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-----------------------5----------5-----------------------|
B|----------------2^5/7-----7-5----x---7--------------------|
G|----2^4b4^2---2-----------------x------6^4----------------|
D|--4----------------------------------------7--------------|
A|----------------------------------------------9-9b9-7-9---|
E|----------------------------------------------------------|
The drinking dens are spilling out
There's staggering in the square
There's lads and lasses falling about
And a crackling in the air
Down around the dungeon doors
The shelters and the queues
Everybody's looking for
Somebody's arms to fall into
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
There's frost on the graves and the monuments
But the taverns are warm in town
People curse the government
And shovel hot food down
The lights are out in city hall
The castle and the keep
The moon shines down upon it all
The legless and asleep
And it's cold on the tollgate
With the wagons creeping through
Cold on the tollgate
God knows what I could do with you
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
The garrison sleeps in the citadel
With the ghosts and the ancient stones
High up on the parapet
A Scottish piper stands alone
And high on the wind
The highland drums begin to roll
And something from the past just comes
And stares into my soul
And it's cold on the tollgate
With the Caledonian blues
Cold on the tollgate
God knows what I could do with you
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
What it is
It's what it is now
There's a chink of light, there's a burning wick
There's a lantern in the tower
Wee willie winkie with a candlestick
Still writing songs in the wee wee hours
On Charlotte Street
I take A walking stick from my hotel
The ghost of Dirty Dick
Is still in search of little nell
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
Oh, it's what it is
What it is now
| x Dead note
| / Slide up
| b Bend
--------------