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The Arabic by John Doyle
The Arabic
Tuning:E A D G B E
Key:Ebm
Capo:1st fret
I'm sure he plays in open tuning but otherwise you can play the Dm simply like
below.
Makes it easier.
e------
b---3--
G---2--
D---0--
A---0--
E------
[VERSE 1]
Dm Am F Am
In the stony grey soil through hardship and toil,
Dm F Am
Roscommon's rough lands they owned me.
Dm Am F Am
Digging potatoes and ploughing the earth,
Dm F Am
As my family did long before me.
Dm F Am
But I swore I would furrow, plant my own seed,
Dm F Am
Rise from my knees and stand proudly.
Dm Am F Am
America, I swore, or some foreign shore,
Dm Am Dm Dm/C Dm
Would grant the life I dream of surely.
[VERSE 2]
Dm Am F Am
So I saved up the money, my passage to pay,
Dm F Am
And braved the world early one morning.
Dm Am F Am
I bid adieu to my family among grief and tears,
Dm F Am
As they feared there was no returning.
Dm F Am
On the White Star Line I'd soon sail away,
Dm F Am
Although the Great War was still raging.
Dm Am F Am
I walked the long days, to Queenstown made way,
Dm Am Dm Dm/C Dm
Till the Arabic it loomed far above me.
[VERSE 3]
Dm Am F Am
Who knows what fate brings, what life has in store?
Dm F Am
We peer through a looking glass dimly.
Dm Am F Am
As I stepped on board, and steerage went toward,
Dm F Am
Below decks a dread chill spread o'er me.
Dm F Am
At last we weighed anchor, ploughed o'er the main,
Dm F Am
The last hint of land dimming slowly.
Dm Am F Am
We zigzagged our course for fear of the worst,
Dm Am Dm Dm/C Dm
And the worst ploughed its course far below me.
[VERSE 4]
Dm Am F Am
U24, the scourge of the sea,
Dm F Am
Spied us and soon they made ready.
Dm Am F Am
Torpedoes were loosed, our ship was reduced
Dm F Am
To a watery grave sinking steadily.
Dm F Am
The lifeboats were cast, the men embarked last,
Dm F Am
But there was too few for so many.
Dm Am F Am
I jumped in the sea as a blast wounded me,
Dm Am Dm Dm/C Dm
And the blood it ran thick and freely
[VERSE 5]
Dm Am F Am
In fear and confusion, thrashing around,
Dm F Am
Dreading the abyss fast approaching.
Dm Am F Am
Spying a lifeboat, I swam to its side,
Dm F Am
But they beat me with oars for encroaching.
Dm F Am
But a lady on board took pity on me,
Dm F Am
As I stole my last breath and was sinking.
Dm Am F Am
Grabbing my arm to keep me from harm,
Dm Am Dm Dm/C Dm
She held me and saved me from drowning.
[VERSE 6]
Dm Am F Am
We got back on shore, safe and secure.
Dm F Am
They led us all to the infirmary.
Dm Am F Am
Three month I spent there, wondering why I was spared.
Dm F Am
Among all, why was I given mercy?
Dm F Am
Some live and some die, there's no reason why.
Dm F Am
The spinners weave their webs in mystery.
Dm Am F Am
Now I'm back on my land, fate lends a hand,
Dm Am Dm Dm/C Dm
As the roots of Roscommon weave around me.
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