The King Must Die

Music by Elton John
Words by Bernie Taupin
Available on the Album Elton John


Dm  Dm/C  Bbmaj7  Am  A7
Dm  Dm/C  Bb  Asus  A7

Dm7                                   G
No man's a jester playing Shakespear
F                                     C
Round your throne-room floor
                Gm7
While the juggler's act is danced upon
A7sus                               Dm7        (G/D)-->first time only
The crown that you once wore

And sooner or later
Everybody's kingdom must end
And I'm so afraid your courtiers
Cannot be called best friends

G
Ceaser's had your troubles
Dm        C         Dm
Widows had to cry
G
While mercenaries cloisters sing
E7/G#                    Asus     A7
And the king must die

Some men are better staying sailors
Take my word and go
But tell the ostler that his name was
The very first they chose

And if my hands are stained forever
And the altar should refuse me
Would you let me in, would you let me in, would you let me in
Should I cry sanctuary

No man's a jester playing Shakespeare
Round your throne room floor
While the juggler's act is danced upon
The crown that you once wore

E7/G#                   Bb  Asus7  A7
And the king must die yeah
                      Dm
The king must die yeah
Dm/C          Bb  Asus7 
The king must die

Dm  Dm/C  Bb  Asus  A7

Dm7                                   G
No man's a jester playing Shakespear
F                                     C
Round your throne-room floor
                Gm7
While the juggler's act is danced upon
A7sus                               Dm7        G/D
The crown that you once wore


              Dm7
The king is dead
G/D         Dm7
The king is dead
G/D         Dm7    Dm  Dm/C  Bbmaj7  Am7
The king is dead
Bb     Am       D
Long live the king