Shipbuilding Chords
Shipbuilding by Elvis Costello is a more advanced guitar song played in the key of Em. It uses the chords Am, C, D, Em, Em/D#, Em/D, C#dim, Dm, Cm7, G, C7+, G7, Eb6 and Gm. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
Intro: Am C D D
Em Em/D# Em/D
Is it worth it
C#dim D Dm
A new winter coat and shoes for the wife
Cm7 D
And a bicycle on the boy's birthday
G C
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
D
By the women and children
G G Em
Soon we'll be shipbuilding
Em/D# Em/D
Well I ask you
C#dim D Dm
The boy said "Dad they're going to make me to task
Cm7 D
But I'll be back by christmas"
G C7+
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
D C7+
Somebody said that someone got filled in
D C7+
For saying that people get killed in
D G
The result of this shipbuilding
G7
With all the will in the world
Eb6 D
Diving for dear life
G
When we could be diving for pearls
solo: Em Em/D# Em/D C#dim D Dm Cm7 D
G C7+
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
D C7+
A telegram or a picture postcard
D C7+
Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyards
D
And notifying the next of kin
G
Once again
G7
It's all we're skilled in
Eb6 D G
We will be shipbuilding
Gm
With all the will in the world
Eb6 D
Diving for dear life
Em
When we could be diving for pearls
Solo 2: Em/D# - Em/D - C#dim - D - Dm - Cm7 - D -
G - C7+ - D - C7+ - D - C7+ - D - G
G7
It's all we're skilled in
Eb6 D G
We will be shipbuilding
Gm
With all the will in the world
Eb6 D
Diving for dear life
D
When we could be diving for pearls
D
When we could be diving for pearls
D Em
When we could be diving for pearls