Artist: Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros
Song: Forbidden City
Written: Joe Strummer
Album: Rock Art and the X-Ray Style
Background: From the debut album released by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros in 1999.
Tuning: : Capo on 2nd fret
(Hence all chords are up two semitones, or a tone)
Chords:
: ======= 332010
: ======= 130211
: ======= 133211
: ======= 320001
: ======= 320003
: ======= 002210
Notes:
1. All 7th chords are played with the chord oscillating between the 7th and Major form,
the up and down strokes. Hence it's easier with barre chords (not shown in the
as above).
2. Where the chords are shown with triplets in brackets ...it's a quick, forceful(forte)
staccato rhythm.
(Intro)
[Tom-Tom & Bongos, over organ riff, leads into arpeggio chords]
(x3)
Okay, dream of freedom...
Verse 1:
Under the moon in the dragon room
Inside the mind of a soul confined
Don't talk about soon in the dragon room
(x3) (x3)
Under the scream of a jet machine
(x3) (x3) (x3) (x3)
Who knows in the hills,
(x3) (x6)
Who knows when she will
Chorus:
When all the hidden pity in the forbidden city comes out
When all the hidden pity in the forbidden city comes out
When all the hidden pity in the forbidden city comes out
(x3)
When all the hidden pity in the forbidden city comes out,
(x3) (x3)
...Oh, China, Yeah, China
Verse 2:
Gold silk in a loom in the dragon room
That silk that will be for the flag of the free
(x3) (x3) (x3) (x3)
Who knows in the hills
(x3) (x3)
Who knows when she will
Chorus:
When all the hidden pity in the forbidden city comes out
When all the hidden pity in the forbidden city comes out
When all the hidden pity in the forbidden city comes out
(x3)
When all the hidden pity in the forbidden city comes out, ...oh, yeah
Refrain:
(x3) (x3)
Yeah, China, Whoa-oh, China, ...Yeah, China
(Organ riff over gunfire masked by firecrackers)
(x3) (x3)
Yeah ...they got lots of towers, ' Never pushed someone so far...
Chorus:
When all the hidden pity in the forbidden city comes out
When all the hidden pity in the forbidden city comes out
When all the hidden pity in the forbidden city comes out
(x3)
When all the hidden pity in the forbidden city comes out,
Refrain:
...Oh, China
(End)
Footnote:
This is still a very timely song, Joe! In 2008, ...even moreso than a decade ago. :-R