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Chord transcription by Ian Chippett
Intro: C / Bb(C bass) / C / Bb(C) / (twice)
C Bb(C) C Bb(C)
Nobody here yet
C Bb(C) C Bb(C)
From the spotlight that will ring her not a glimmer
C Bb(C) Fmaj7
Not a finger on its squeaky dimmer
Dm7 Fm7 Cmaj7 C(Bb) A7
I play piano in a jazz quar - tet
Dm7 Fm7 C Bb(C) C Bb(C)
That works here late with a young girl singer
Am Bm7
And along from the darkened and empty tables
Em Eb+ G(D) A9(C#)
By the covered-up drums and the microphone cables
Dm Db+ Dm(C) G9
At the end of the room the piano glistens
Em Eb+ G(D) ///
Like the rail at the end of the nave
Am7 /// //// Dm7 /// G9 ///
C Bb(C) A7 Dm7 G7
Thirty years in the racket
C Bb(C) A7 Dm7 G7
A brindled crew-cut and a silk-lined jacket
Am Bm Am
And it isn't my hands that fill this place
Bm Dm7
It's a kid's voice still reaching into space
Am A7
It's her they're driving down to hear
Dm7 G9 /// G9+ ///
And it's my bent-over back she's standing near
Nobody talks yet
From the glasses that will touch soon not a tinkle
Not a paper napkin shows a wrinkle
I play piano in a jazz quartet
That backs a winner while the big notes crinkle
And along from the darkened and empty tables
By the covered-up drums and the microphone cables
At the end of the room the piano glistens
Like the rail at the end of the nave
Dm7 G9 /// G9+ ///
And I play a few things while no-one listens
Thirty years in the racket
A brindled crew-cut and a silk-lined jacket
And it isn't my name that brings them in
It's a little girl just starting to begin
It's her they're piling in to see
And I'd kill that kid if she wasn't killing me
Nobody moves yet
From the tables near the bandstand not a rustle
Not a loudmouth even moves a muscle
I play piano in a jazz quartet
That backs a giver while the takers hustle
And along from the darkened and empty tables
By the covered-up drums and the microphone cables
At the end of the room the piano glistens
Like bones at the end of a cave
Dm7 G9+
And I play a few things while no-one listens
Cmaj7 Am9 Dm9 G13b9 C Bb(C) C Bb(C) C
For an hour alone spells freedom to the slave
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