Thick As A Brick Album tab by Jethro Tull

Tabs

Jethro Tull: Thick as a brick, the whole album
Chords and tabs: Håkan Mattsson, Paco Jimenez, Paul Tarvydas.

This file is a compilation of all the separate files of parts of "Thick
as a brick", to make one file for the whole album.
For those places where we have no chord suggestions, the lyrics and
time information is still there.
I have seperated each file with a row of hash marks, so that any special
information or notation regarding a specific file, a specific part, is kept.
Håkan Mattsson

Jethro Tull: Thick as a brick. Track 1, beginning to 3:02
Chords/Tab: Håkan Mattsson
This tab is a bit simplified, meaning that I haven't tabbed every little
strumming and lift of fingers. In my opinion it's easier to read in this
way, when only the more difficult parts are tabbed.
In some places I have indicated where there are significant sus2's and sus4's
with "sus2/4".
I have seen many suggestions on how these first minutes are played, and this
version do not differ in any significant way from most of the others, but
some. And in my opinion it's easier to follow than many others I have seen.
(I hope I'm not the only one thinking so! :-)
Thanks to Paco Jimenez for one riff, and to Sigurd Andre Lund from Norway,
whose old tab that I found have helped me a lot.
When Ian Anderson plays the intro he shapes a D, G+G and then a D MajorD at the 5th fret.
He uses his pinky for the 4th and 7th fret on the A augmentedA string.
Capo on 3:rd fret
  _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <- triplets
  D MajorD         G+G   D MajorD at 5th fret      <- (se above)
e |-----------------------|-----------------------|
BB |------------------3-3-3|-----------------------|
G+G |----2-----2-------0-0-0|----5-----5-----------0|  twice
D MajorD |--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|--0-----0-------0---0--|
A augmentedA |0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|0-----7-----0-5---3----|
E MajorE |-----------------------|-----------------------|
  ^   ^   ^ ^     ^   ^   ^ ^  ^   <- accent
============================================================================
  A minorAm (strummed)
 |2----------------------|0----------------------|
 |3----------------------|1----------------------|
 |2----------------------|2----------------------|
 |0----------------------|2----------------------|
 |-----------------------|0-----------0-2--------|
 |-----------------------|------------------3----|
1) Really    don't  mind if you sit this one
2) My words but  a  whisper - your deafness a
3) I  may  make you  feel but I can't make you
4) Your sperm's in the gutter - your love's in the
           G+G
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
 |------------------3-3-3|------------------3-3-3|
 |----2-----2-------0-0-0|----2-----2-------0-0-0|
 |--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|
 |0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
1) out.     (up)
2) SHOUT.    (up)
3) think.    (up)
4) sink.
============================================================================
       D MajorD sus2/4
  So  you ride yourselves over the fields
  and you make all your  animal  deals
  and your wise men don't know how it feels...  (continue below)
 A augmentedA sus2/4
...     to be thick as a

 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
 |------------------3-3-3|------------------3-3-3|
 |----2-----2-------0-0-0|----2-----2-------0-0-0|
 |--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|
 |0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
brick.
           G+G
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
 |------------------3-3-3|------------------3-3-3|
 |----2-----2-------0-0-0|----2-----2-------0-0-0|
 |--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|--0-----0-------0-0-0-0| (same as above)
 |0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
============================================================================
  A minorAm (strummed)
 |2----------------------|0----------------------| (not aligned with lyrics)
 |3----------------------|1----------------------|
 |2----------------------|2----------------------|
 |0----------------------|2----------------------|
 |-----------------------|0-----------0-2--------|
 |-----------------------|------------------3----|
1) And the sand-castle virtues are all swept
2) In the tidal destruction, the moral
3) The elastic retreat rings the close of
4) As the last wave uncovers the newfangled
           G+G
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
 |------------------3-3-3|------------------3-3-3|
 |----2-----2-------0-0-0|----2-----2-------0-0-0|
 |--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|
 |0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
1) away.     (up)
2) melee.    (up)
3) play.     (up)
4) way.
============================================================================
       D MajorD sus2/4
  But your new shoes are worn at the heels
  and your suntan  does  rapidly   peel
  and your wise men don't know how it feels...  (continue below)
 A augmentedA sus2/4
...     to be thick as a
           G+G
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
 |------------------3-3-3|------------------3-3-3|
 |----2-----2-------0-0-0|----2-----2-------0-0-0|
 |--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|
 |0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
brick.
============================================================================
 |-----------------(0-0-0)-----------------------|
 |------------------6-6-6|-----------------------|
 |----5-----5-------5-5-5|----5-----5-----0------|
 |--0-----0-------0(0-0-0)--0-----0-----0--------|
 |0-----7-----0-5--------|0-----7-----5-----3----|
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
          parenthesis optional
============================================================================
                       |-----------|
                       |-----------|
                       |-----------|
                       |0-2--------|
                       |----0-2----|
D MajorD           A minorAm C majorC      E minorEm  |--------0-2|
And the love that I feel is so far away:
G+G            B minorBm     D MajorD  F#F#  (<- in these 3 last chords,
 I'm a bad dream that I just had todaaaaay -  lift finger from the e string
A augmentedA sus2/4         repeatedly)
- and you shake your head and say it's a
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
 |------------------3-3-3|------------------3-3-3|
 |----2-----2-------0-0-0|----2-----2-------0-0-0|
 |--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|
 |0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
shame.
============================================================================
 |-----------------(0-0-0)-----------------(0-0-0)
 |------------------6-6-6|------------------6-6-6|
 |----5-----5-------5-5-5|----5-----5-------5-5-5|
 |--0-----0-------0(0-0-0)--0-----0-------5(0-0-0)
 |0-----7-----0-5--------|0-----7-----0-5--------|
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
          parenthesis optional
============================================================================
 |-----------------(0-0-0)-----------------(0-0-0)
 |------------------6-6-6|------------------6-6-6|
 |----5-----5-------5-5-5|----5-----5-------5-5-5| (same as above)
 |--0-----0-------0(0-0-0)--0-----0-------0(0-0-0)
 |0-----7-----0-5--------|0-----7-----0-5--------| (Not aligned with lyrics)
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
          parenthesis optional
Spin me back down the years and the days of my youth.
Draw the lace and black curtains and shut out the whole truth.
Spin me down the long ages: let them sing the song.
============================================================================
 |-----------------(0-0-0)-----------------(0-0-0)
 |------------------6-6-6|------------------6-6-6|
 |----5-----5-------5-5-5|----5-----5-------5-5-5| (same as above)
 |--0-----0-------0(0-0-0)--0-----0-------0(0-0-0)
 |0-----7-----0-5--------|0-----7-----0-5--------|
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
          parenthesis optional

  Dsus2Dsus2
 |5---5-----5------2--
 |6----6----6------3--
 |5-----5---5------2--
 |0------0--0------0--
 |--------------------
 |--------------------
Time: 3:02

Thick as a brick. Track 1, 3:02 - 5:13
Transcription: Paul Tarvydas (part of Pauls file)
capo 3rd fret (all chords & notes written as if no capo)
s/f = string/fret single notes
single note runs & melody lines inside curly braces {}
c[p] = chord c, played as barre in position p
G+G
G MajorG
G+G
G MajorG
{ 5/0 5/2 5/3 5/2 5/3 4/0 6/3 5/2  electric riff repeats
  BB }
G+G
See  there! A augmentedA son is born --
    G+G
and we pronounce him  fit to fight.
     G+G
There are black-heads on his shoulders,
    G+G
and he pees himself in the night.
       D[5]
We'll make a man of him
      E[7]
put him to trade
D[5]
teach him to play Monopoly and
        F[8]
to sing in the rain.
        Eb[6]
        Db[4]
        Bb[1]
(organ solo)
G+G
G MajorG
G+G
G MajorG
A augmentedA
G+G
A minorAm
Cmaj7Cmaj7
G+G
(forte)
G+G
E[7]
E[7]
E[7]
E[7]
E[7]
E[7]
D[5] F[8]   D/F (hold dischord)
E minorEm
Time 5:13

Jethro Tull: Thick as a brick. Track 1, 5:13 - 11:55
Chords: Håkan Mattsson
Capo 3

|A minorAm|
 ^    ^ ^    ^ ^    ^ ^    ^ ^    ^ <- accent
               D MajorD
|BB |
 ^    ^ ^    ^ ^   ^ ^ ^   ^   ^   ^   <- accent
repeat above once

   E minorEm
The Poet and the painter casting shadows on the water --
    BB
as the sun plays on the infantry returning from the sea.
   E minorEm
The do-er and the thinker: no allowance for the other --
    BB
as the failing light illuminates the mercenary's creed.
   E minorEm
The home fire burning: the kettle almost boiling --
     BB
but the master of the house is far away.
   E minorEm
The horses stamping -- their warm breath clouding
     BB
in the sharp and frosty morning of the day.
     C majorC
And the poet lifts his pen while the soldier sheaths his sword.
     D MajorD
And the youngest of the family is moving with authority.
 C majorC
Building castles by the sea, he dares the tardy tide
  G+G       Bb majorBb  (Play Bb majorBb as barre on 1, and you can lift the
to wash them all aside. index finger some from the e string to follow
             the song)
Instrumental over |D MajorD | repeatedly

9:28
   E minorEm
The cattle quietly grazing at the grass down by the river
      BB
where the swelling mountain water moves onward to the sea:
   E minorEm
the builder of the castles renews the age-old purpose
   BB
and contemplates the milking girl whose offer is his need.
   E minorEm
The young men of the household have all gone into service
     BB
and are not to be expected for a year.
  E minorEm
The innocent young master -- thoughts moving ever faster --
   BB
has formed the plan to change the man he seems.
     C majorC
And the poet sheaths his pen while the soldier lifts his sword.
    D MajorD
And the oldest of the family is moving with authority.
 C majorC
Coming from across the sea, he challenges the son
   Bb majorBb
who puts him to the run.

  The instrumental part below aren't always chords, but it's
  something like this:
10:34 A augmentedA
10:42 E minorEm
10:45 Organ, "answers" in DmDm
10:53 Organ, "answers" in E minorEm
11:00 E minorEm
11:08 F# minorF#m A augmentedA G+G C#C#   (hum, well, almost :-)

BB
What do you do when the old man's gone -- do you want to be him?
BB
And your real self sings the song. Do you want to free him?
E MajorE
No one to help you get up steam --
F# minorF#m
and the whirlpool turns you `way off-beam.

Time 11:55

Track 1, 11:55 - 12:21
Transcription: Paul Tarvydas
capo 3rd fret (all chords & notes written as if no capo)
s/f = string/fret single notes
single note runs & melody lines inside curly braces {}
 E minorEm
{4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 5/4 4/0 4/2
 E MajorE }
 E minorEm
{4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 5/4 4/0 4/2
 E MajorE }

A minorAm
{3/2 3/0 3/2 4/2 4/3 3/0 3/2 3/0 4/3
 FF
E minorEm
4/0 4/2 4/0 5/2 5/3 4/0 4/2 4/3 3/0
G}


A minorAm
{3/2 3/0 3/2 4/2 4/3 3/0 3/2 3/0 4/3
 FF
E minorEm
4/0 4/2 4/0 5/2 5/3 4/0 4/2 4/3 3/0
G}


A minorAm
{3/2 3/0 3/2 4/2 4/3 3/0 3/2 3/0 4/3
 FF
E minorEm
4/0 4/2 4/0 5/2 5/3 4/0 4/2 4/3 3/0
G}
A minorAm
{3/2 3/0 3/2 4/2 4/3 3/0 3/2 3/0 4/3
 FF
E minorEm
4/0 4/2 4/0 5/2 5/3 4/0 4/2 4/3 3/0
G}

12:21


12:33

Track 1, 12:33 - 15:55
TRANSCRIPTION BY PACO JIMENEZ (SPAIN)
OBSERVE! This tabbed part is without capo.
       _____    _____ _____ _____ _____
       | | |    | | | | | | | | | | | | <- triplets
e|-----------------------|-----------------------|
BB|-----------------------|-----------------------|
G+G|-----------------------|-----------------------|
D MajorD|----------------2-5----|5-3-2-5-3-2-5-3-2-2-3-5|
A augmentedA|3-----3-----3-5--------|-----------------------|
E MajorE|-----------------------|-----------------------|
 C majorC   ^   ^   ^   ^   ^   ^   ^   <- beats
 (A augmentedA with capo 3)
e|-----------------------|-----------------------|
BB|-----------------------|-----------------------|
G+G|-----------------------|-----------------------|
D MajorD|----------------4-7----|7-4-3-7-4-3-7-4-3-3-4-7|
A augmentedA|5-----5-----5-7--------|-----------------------|
E MajorE|-----------------------|-----------------------|
 D MajorD   ^   ^   ^   ^   ^   ^   ^   <- beats
 (BB with capo 3)
repeat 5 times and then...
       ______    ______ ______ ______ ______
       | | |    | | | | | | | | | | | | <- triplets
e|-------------------------|---------------------------|
BB|-------------------------|---------------------------|
G+G|-------------------------|---------------------------|
D MajorD|-----------------7-10----|10-8-7-10-8-7-10-8-7-7-8-10|
A augmentedA|8-----8-----8-10---------|---I-----------------------|
E MajorE|-------------------------|-------I-------------------|
 FF   ^   ^   ^   ^   ^   ^   ^   <- beats
 (D MajorD with capo 3)
       _______
       | | |    <- triplets
e|--------------------------|
BB|--------------------------|
G+G|--------------------------|
D MajorD|------------------9-12----|
A augmentedA|10----10----10-12---------|
E MajorE|--------------------------|
 G+G   ^   ^    ^   <- beats
 (E MajorE with capo 3)
(This part transposed to capo 3 - to fit with the other pieces - by Håkan Mattsson)
Capo 3
|F#5F#5 / |
D5D5
I've come down from the upper class to mend your rotten ways.
D5D5
 My father was a man-of-power whom everyone obeyed.
 |F#F# |  (| % |=repeat last bar)
D5D5
So come on all you criminals! I've got to put you straight
D5D5
just like I did with my old man -- twenty years too late.
 |F#F# |  (| % |=repeat last bar)

flute improvisation over
 |B5B5 / / / |A5A5 / E5E5 F#5F#5 |x 4times
 |B5B5 / / / | % |A5A5 / / /| % |E5E5 / / /| % |F#5F#5 / / /| % |x 2times

cd track 1 time: 14:57
half time (2 beats for a bar, 1 beat for a chord) in 3 first bars below
|C majorC / / / |
Bass notes (also relative to capo):
C majorC
___ ____  ___ ___  ____ ___  ___ ___
| | | |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | |

TIME: 15:04
|E MajorE / / / |
|A augmentedA G+G D MajorD / |E MajorE / F#F# / |G#G# / / / |/ / / G# minorG#m|BB / / / |A augmentedA / F#F# / |
D5D5
Your bread and water's going cold. Your hair is too short and neat.
D5D5
I'll judge you all and make damn sure that no-one judges me.
 |F#F# |  (| % |=repeat last bar)
15:55

Jethro Tull: Thick as a brick. Track 1, 15:55 - 17:20
Chords Håkan Mattsson
Capo on 3:rd fret
Organ: C# minorC#m
F#F#
C# minorC#m
F#F#
C majorC
16:24
  _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <- triplets
 |-----------------------|-----------------------| 3 times before verse
 |------------------3-3-3|------------------3-3-3|
 |----2-----2-------0-0-0|----2-----2-------0-0-0| Continue throughout
 |--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|--0-----0-------0-0-0-0| verse, and during
 |0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2| hummed verse after.
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
  ^   ^   ^ ^     ^   ^   ^ ^     <- accent
You curl your toes in fun as you smile at everyone -
you meet the stares. You're unaware that your doings aren't done.
And you laugh most ruthlessly as you tell us what not to be.
But how are we supposed to see where we should run?
  _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <- triplets
 |-----------------(0-0)-|-----------------(0-0)-|
 |------------------6-6--|------------------6-6--|
 |----5-----5-------5-5--|----5-----5-------5-5--| twice
 |--0-----0--------(0-0)-|--0-----0--------(0-0)-|
 |0-----7-----0-5--------|0-----7-----0-5--------|
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
  ^   ^   ^ ^  ^   ^   ^   ^ ^  ^   <- accent
          (parenthesis optional)

 |-5-         |-0-0----|
 |-6-         |-6--6---|
 |-5- once, and then |-7---7--| four times
 |-0-         |-8----8-|
 |---         |--------|
 |---         |--------|
             ^ V   <- down and up strokes
17:20

TRANSCRIPTED BY [email protected]
with some corrections and notations by Håkan
CD TRACK 1 time: 17:20 - 21:08
all chords are relative to CAPO 3 fret


 strum     strum
|-5----5-6-8----2----0-2-
|-6----6-6-6----3----3-3-
|-5----5-5-5----2----2-2-
|-0----0-0-0----0----0-0-
|------------------------
|------------------------
 strum strum  strum strum
|-0----3-2----0--2----5-3----2-
|-1----1-1----1--3----3-3----3-
|-0----0-0----0--2----2-2----2- repeat
|-0----0-0----0--0----0-0----0-
|------------------------------
|------------------------------
      A augmentedA string: -2-3-2-0-
I see you shuffle in the courtroom with
             DsusDsus
your rings upon your fingers and    A augmentedA|-----2-
   C majorC      E minorEm       <- E MajorE|-0-3---
your downy little sidies and
   DsusDsus
your silver-buckle shoes.
A augmentedA string: -2-3-2-0-
Playing at the hard case,
         DsusDsus
you follow the example         A augmentedA|-----2-
    C majorC      E minorEm      <- E MajorE|-0-3---
of the comic-paper idol
   DsusDsus
who lets you bend the rules.
 strum strum  strum strum (not played by an acoustic guitar here)
|-0----3-2----0--2----5-3----2-
|-1----1-1----1--3----3-3----3-
|-0----0-0----0--2----2-2----2- repeat
|-0----0-0----0--0----0-0----0-
|------------------------------
|------------------------------
 (or just play xx0010 xx0232 repeatedly instead of above)
     G+G
So! Come on ye childhood heroes!
              DsusDsus
Won't you rise up from the pages
     E minorEm
of your comic-books your super crooks
   DsusDsus
and show us all the way.
    G+G
Well! Make your will and testament.
              DsusDsus
Won't you? Join your local government.
      E minorEm
We'll have Superman for president
   DsusDsus
let Robin save the day.

E minorEm
 You put your bet on number one and it comes up every time.
E minorEm
The other kids have all backed down and they put you first in line.
C majorC
And so you finally ask yourself just how big you are --
BB
and you take your place in a wiser world of bigger motor cars.
E minorEm ?
And you wonder who to call on.
 strum strum  strum strum  (not played by an acoustic guitar here)
|-0----3-2----0--2----5-3----2-
|-1----1-1----1--3----3-3----3-
|-0----0-0----0--2----2-2----2- repeat
|-0----0-0----0--0----0-0----0-
|------------------------------
|------------------------------
 (or just play xx0010 xx0232 repeatedly instead of above)
    G+G
So! Where the hell was Biggles
             DsusDsus
when you needed him last Saturday?
   E minorEm
And where were all the sportsmen
   DsusDsus
who always pulled you through?
       G+G
They're all resting down in Cornwall --
         DsusDsus
writing up their memoirs
    E minorEm
for a paper-back edition
    DsusDsus
of the Boy Scout Manual.
 strum strum  strum strum  (not played by an acoustic guitar all
|-0----3-2----0--2----5-3----2- the time here)
|-1----1-1----1--3----3-3----3-
|-0----0-0----0--2----2-2----2- repeat
|-0----0-0----0--0----0-0----0-
|------------------------------
|------------------------------
E MajorE
E
 strum strum  strum strum
|-0----3-2----0--2----5-3----2-
|-1----1-1----1--3----3-3----3-
|-0----0-0----0--2----2-2----2- once
|-0----0-0----0--0----0-0----0-
|------------------------------
|------------------------------
E MajorE
E
 strum strum  strum strum
|-0----3-2----0--2----5-3----2-
|-1----1-1----1--3----3-3----3-
|-0----0-0----0--2----2-2----2- once
|-0----0-0----0--0----0-0----0-
|------------------------------
|------------------------------
TIME 21:08


Track 1, 21:08 - 22:39
Chords: Håkan Mattsson
A minorAm
Am D MajorD G+G repeatedly a few times, goes into:
21:18
G+G repeatedly, until fade...
22:39


Thick as a brick. Track 2, 0:00 - 1:32
Transcription: Paul Tarvydas (from track 1)
capo 3rd fret
s/f = string/fret single notes
single note runs & melody lines inside curly braces {}
c[p] = chord c, played as barre in position p
G+G
{ 5/0 5/2 5/3 5/2 5/3 4/0 6/3 5/2  electric riff repeats
  BB }
G+G
See  there! A augmentedA man is born --
    G+G
and we pronounce him  fit for peace.
      G+G
There's a load lifted from his shoulders,
    G+G
with the discovery of his disease.
       D[5]
We'll take the child from him,
      E[7]
put it to the test
D[5]
teach it to be a wise man,
        F[8]
how to fool the rest.
E[7] E[7] D[5] F[8] repeatedly
Time 1:32

Thick as a brick. Track 2, 1:32 - 4:05
QUOTE
We will be geared to the average rather than the exceptional
God is an overwhelming responsibility
we walked through the maternity ward and saw 218 babies wearing nylons
cats are on the upgrade
upgrade? Hipgrave.

Jethro Tull: Thick as a brick. Track 2, 4:05 - 6:00
Tab/Chords: Håkan Mattsson

Capo on 3:rd fret
   _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
   | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <- triplets
             glide
  |-----------------------|-----------------------|
  |------------------3-3~~|6----------------------|
  |----2-----2-------2-2~~|5---5-----5-----0-----0|
  |--0-----0---------0-0--|--0-----0-----0-----0--|
  |0-----4-----0-2--------|0-----7-----5-----3----|
  |-----------------------|-----------------------|
   ^   ^   ^ ^     ^   ^   ^   ^   <- accent
             glide
  |-----------------------|-----------------------|
  |------------------3-3~~|6----------------------|
  |----2-----2-------2-2~~|5---5-----5-----0-----0| (same as above)
  |--0-----0---------0-0--|--0-----0-----0-----0--|
  |0-----4-----0-2--------|0-----7-----5-----3----|
  |-----------------------|-----------------------|
   ^   ^   ^ ^     ^   ^   ^   ^   <- accent
             glide
  |-----------------------|-----------------(0-0)-| parenthesis optional
  |------------------3-3~~|6-----------------6-6--|
  |----2-----2-------2-2~~|5---5-----5-------5-5--|
  |--0-----0---------0-0--|--0-----0--------(0-0)-| parenthesis optional
  |0-----4-----0-2--------|0-----7-----0-5--------|
  |-----------------------|-----------------------|
   ^   ^   ^ ^     ^   ^   ^ ^  ^   <- accent
  |-----------------(0)---| parenthesis optional
  |------------------6----|
  |----5-----5-------5----|
  |--0-----0--------(0)---| parenthesis optional
  |0-----7-----0-5--------|
  |-----------------------|
   ^   ^   ^ ^  ^   <- accent
             In the...  (continue below)
============================================================================
   _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
   | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <- triplets
  |------------------3-3-3|------------------3-3-3|
  |----3-----3-------3-3-3|----3-----3-------3-3-3|
  |--------2---------0-0-0|--------2---------0-0-0|
  |--0---4-----0-2--------|--0---4-----0-2--------|
  |0----------------------|0----------------------|
  |-----------------------|-----------------------|
   ^   ^   ^ ^  ^   ^   ^   ^ ^  ^   <- accent
1) clear white circles of  mor---ning wonder I
2) blue- eyed soldiers stand slightly discoloured (in
                     A augmentedA (strum)
  |------------------3-3-3|------------0----------|
  |----3-----3-------3-3-3|------------2----------|
  |--------2---------0-0-0|----2-------2----------|
  |--0---4-----0-2--------|--0-----0---2----------|
  |0----------------------|0-----0-----0----------|
  |-----------------------|-----------------------|
   ^   ^   ^ ^  ^   ^   ^         <- accent
1) take my  place with the lord of the hills. And the    (up)
2) neat little rows)  sporting canvas frills.
============================================================================
   _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
   | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <- triplets
   G+G
  |0-0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0-0--|0-0-0-0-0---2---3------|
  |0-2-2-0-2---0-2-2-0-2--|0-2-2-0-2---3---0------|
  |2-2-2-2-2---2-2-2-2-2--|2-2-2-2-2---2---0------|
  |2-2-2-2-2---2-2-2-2-2--|2-2-2-2-2---0---0------|
  |0-0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0-0--|0-0-0-0-0-------2------|
  |-----------------------|----------------3------|
   G+G
  |0-0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0-0--|0-0-0-0-0---2---3------|
  |0-2-2-0-2---0-2-2-0-2--|0-2-2-0-2---3---0------|
  |2-2-2-2-2---2-2-2-2-2--|2-2-2-2-2---2---0------| (same as above)
  |2-2-2-2-2---2-2-2-2-2--|2-2-2-2-2---0---0------|
  |0-0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0-0--|0-0-0-0-0-------2------|
  |-----------------------|----------------3------|
============================================================================
   _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
   | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <- triplets
  |-----------------(0-0)-|-----------------(0)---| parenthesis optional
  |------------------6-6--|------------------6----|
  |----5-----5-------5-5--|----5-----5-------5----|
  |--0-----0--------(0-0)-|--0-----0--------(0)---| parenthesis optional
  |0-----7-----0-5--------|0-----7-----0-5--------|
  |-----------------------|-----------------------|
   ^   ^   ^ ^  ^   ^   ^   ^ ^  ^   <- accent
============================================================================
  With their... (continue below)
  |------------------3-3-3|------------------3-3-3|
  |----3-----3-------3-3-3|----3-----3-------3-3-3|
  |--------2---------0-0-0|--------2---------0-0-0|
  |--0---4-----0-2--------|--0---4-----0-2--------|
  |0----------------------|0----------------------|
  |-----------------------|-----------------------|
   ^   ^   ^ ^  ^   ^   ^   ^ ^  ^   <- accent
1) jock-straps pinching, they slouch to attention,
2) how's your granny and  good old  Ernie:
                     A minorAm (strum)
  |------------------3-3-3|------------0----------|
  |----3-----3-------3-3-3|------------2----------|
  |--------2---------0-0-0|----2-------2----------|
  |--0---4-----0-2--------|--0-----0---2----------|
  |0----------------------|0-----0-----0----------|
  |-----------------------|-----------------------|
   ^   ^   ^ ^  ^   ^   ^         <- accent
1) while queueing for sarnies at the office canteen. Saying -   &nbssp; (up)
2) he coughed up a tenner on a premium bond win.
============================================================================
   _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
   | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <- triplets
   G+G
  |0-0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0-0--|0-0-0-0-0---2---3------|
  |0-2-2-0-2---0-2-2-0-2--|0-2-2-0-2---3---0------|
  |2-2-2-2-2---2-2-2-2-2--|2-2-2-2-2---2---0------|
  |2-2-2-2-2---2-2-2-2-2--|2-2-2-2-2---0---0------|
  |0-0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0-0--|0-0-0-0-0-------2------|
  |-----------------------|----------------3------|
   G+G
  |0-0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0-0--|0-0-0-0-0---2---3------|
  |0-2-2-0-2---0-2-2-0-2--|0-2-2-0-2---3---0------|
  |2-2-2-2-2---2-2-2-2-2--|2-2-2-2-2---2---0------| (same as above)
  |2-2-2-2-2---2-2-2-2-2--|2-2-2-2-2---0---0------|
  |0-0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0-0--|0-0-0-0-0-------2------|
  |-----------------------|----------------3------|
   A minorAm
  |0-5-5-0-5---0-5-5-0-5--|0-5-5-0-5---7---8------| Play this as a
  |0-5-5-0-5---0-5-5-0-5--|0-5-5-0-5---5---5------| barre Am, where
  |0-5-5-0-5---0-5-5-0-5--|0-5-5-0-5---5---5------| you lift the
  |7-7-7-7-7---7-7-7-7-7--|7-7-7-7-7---7---7------| index finger some from
  |7-7-7-7-7---7-7-7-7-7--|7-7-7-7-7---7---7------| the e, BB and G+G
  |5-5-5-5-5---5-5-5-5-5--|5-5-5-5-5---5---5------| strings.
   A minorAm
  |0-5-5-0-5---0-5-5-0-5--|0-5-5-0-5---7---8------|
  |0-5-5-0-5---0-5-5-0-5--|0-5-5-0-5---5---5------|
  |0-5-5-0-5---0-5-5-0-5--|0-5-5-0-5---5---5------|
  |7-7-7-7-7---7-7-7-7-7--|7-7-7-7-7---7---7------| (same as above)
  |7-7-7-7-7---7-7-7-7-7--|7-7-7-7-7---7---7------|
  |5-5-5-5-5---5-5-5-5-5--|5-5-5-5-5---5---5------|
============================================================================
This is mostly other instruments than guitar, so the
chords are only approximated
Em*= XX0000 ?
G+G
Em* above is not so good -
BB note)
============================================================================
   _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
   | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <- triplets
   E minorEm
  |5-----5-----5-----5----|0-----0-0---------0-0--|
  |5-----5-----5-----5----|0-----0-0---------0-0--|
  |5-----5-----5-----5----|0-----0-0---------0-0--|
  |7-----7-----7-----7----|2-----2-2---0-2---2-2--|
  |7-----7-----7-----7----|2-----2-2---------2-2--|
  |5-----5-----5-----5~~~~|0-----0-0---------0-0--|
   ^   V   ^   Vglide^   V ^     ^ V  <- up/down strums
                            slower up strums on A minorAm
   E minorEm
  |5-----5-----5-----5----|0-----0-0---------0-0--|
  |5-----5-----5-----5----|0-----0-0---------0-0--|
  |5-----5-----5-----5----|0-----0-0---------0-0--| (same as above)
  |7-----7-----7-----7----|2-----2-2---0-2---2-2--|
  |7-----7-----7-----7----|2-----2-2---------2-2--|
  |5-----5-----5-----5~~~~|0-----0-0---------0-0--|
   ^   V   ^   Vglide^   V ^     ^ V  <- up/down strums
                            slower up strums on A minorAm
  |-----------------(0-0)-|
  |------------------6-6--|
  |----5-----5-------5-5--|
  |--0-----0--------(0-0)-|
  |0-----7-----0-5--------|
  |-----------------------|
   ^   ^   ^ ^  ^   <- accent
               E minorEm
  |-----------------------|0----------------------|
  |-----------------------|0----------------------|
  |----5-----5-----0-----0|0-----0----------------|
  |--0-----0-----0-----0--|2-------0-2------------|
  |0-----7-----5-----3----|2-----------0-2--------|
  |-----------------------|0---------------0------|
   ^   ^   ^   ^               <- accent
               E minorEm
  |-----------------------|0-----------0----------|
  |-----------------------|0-----------0----------|
  |----5-----5-----0-----0|0-----------0----------|
  |--0-----0-----0-----0--|2-------0h2-2-------0h2|
  |0-----7-----5-----3----|2-----------2----------|
  |-----------------------|0-----------0----------|
   ^   ^   ^   ^               <- accent

   E minorEm
  |0------
  |0------
  |0------
  |2------
  |2------
  |0------
Time: 6:00

Jethro Tull: Thick as a Brick. Track 2, 6:00 - 11:00
Chords Håkan Mattsson
    EADGBe
Esus2Esus2 : 024x00

G+G
The 🏷Legends (worded in the ancient tribal hymn) lie cradled
Asus4Asus4
in the seagull's call.
E minorEm
And all the promises they made are ground beneath the sadist's fall.

1:st guitar
|-------|----0--|-------|-------|-------|----5--|----0--|----0--|
|----0--|--0---0|----2--|-------|----0--|--7---7|--0---0|--0---0|
|--0---0|0------|3------|3---3--|--0---0|4------|1------|1------|
|2------|-------|--4---4|--4---4|2------|-------|-------|-------|
|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
2:nd guitar chords
 Esus4Esus4


1:st guitar
|----2--|3-----3|----3--|--3----|----0--|----0--|----0--|-------|
|--3---3|--3----|3-----3|----3--|----0--|----1--|----0--|-------|
|2------|----2--|--2----|2-----2|----0--|----0--|----0--|-------|
|-------|-------|-------|-------|----2--|----2--|----2--|--2---2|
|-------|-------|-------|-------|2---2--|3---3--|2---2--|-2---2-|
|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|3---2--|
2:nd guitar chords
 E minorEm


 Below: pick separate notes, strum chords in between for these first two
 lines. Even though they play a F#F# above, in this part I think they have
 the E minorEm all the way.
e| -  -   -   -                   --------------
BB| -  -   -   2                   --------------
G+G| - E minorEm 0 E minorEm - E minorEm - E minorEm Esus4Esus4 E MajorE Esus4Esus4 D MajorD Dsus4Dsus4 D MajorD E minorEm C majorC E minorEm --------------
D MajorD| -  -   4   -                   -----2------2-
A augmentedA| -  -   -   -                   ---2------2---
E MajorE| 0  -   -   -                   -3------2-----
The poet and the wise man stand behind the gun, behind the gun
and signal for the crack of dawn. Light the sun. Light the sun.
                   --------------     --------------
                   --------------     --------------
D MajorD   Dsus4Dsus4 D MajorD Dsus4Dsus4 D MajorD    E minorEm C majorC E minorEm -------------- E minorEm C majorC E minorEm --------------
Do you? Believe   in the day!   -----2------2-     -----2------2-
Do you? Believe in the day!     ---2-----2----     ---2-----2----
                   -3-----2------     -3-----2------

 Now when they play chords only, they play F#F# again.     --------------
                               --------------
   E minorEm  E minorEm   F#F#   F#F# Esus4Esus4 E MajorE Esus4Esus4 D MajorD Dsus4Dsus4 D MajorD E minorEm C majorC E minorEm --------------
                               -----2------2-
                               ---2------2---
The Dawn Creation of the Kings has begun, has begun.     -3------2-----
Soft Venus (lonely maiden) brings the ageless one, the ageless one.
 (The rest as above)
Do you believe in the day?
Do you? Believe in the day?
The fading hero has returned to the night, to the night -
and fully pregnant with the day, wise men endorse the poet's sight.
Do you believe in the day?
Do you? Believe in the day!

Time 11:00

11:00 - 13:15


Jethro Tull: Thick as a brick. Track 2, 13:15 - 18:06
Chords: Håkan Mattsson
Capo 3
    A minorAm
Let me tell you the tales of your life
     D MajorD
of your love and the cut of the knife
   Eb MajorEb
the tireless oppression, the wisdom instilled
   A minorAm
the desire to kill or be killed.
    A minorAm
Let me sing of the losers who lie
     D MajorD
in the street as the last bus goes by.
   Eb MajorEb
The pavements are empty: the gutters run red --
      A minorAm
while the fool toasts his god in the sky.
C majorC
C
E MajorE
G+G
A augmentedA
14:05
(short) E MajorE
14:24
GbGb
Gb
14:38 (fast played, more notes than chords)
CbCb
A augmentedA x5
CbCb
GbGb x5
14:52
B minorBm
    D MajorD
So come all ye young men who are building castles!
     B minorBm
Kindly state the time of the year
   D MajorD
and join your voices in a hellish chorus.
      B minorBm
Mark the precise nature of your fear.
A augmentedA
15:23
B minorBm and some organ... (one Gb7Gb7)
15:40
A minorAm
15:57
A minorAm
16:13
A minorAm
    (quiet)         A minorAm
Let me help you to pick up your dead
    D MajorD
as the sins of the father are fed
      Eb MajorEb
with the blood of the fools and the thoughts of the wise
   A minorAm
and from the pan under your bed.
    A minorAm
Let me make you a present of song
    D MajorD
as the wise man breaks wind and is gone
      Eb MajorEb
while the fool with the hour-glass is cooking his goose
     A minorAm
and the nursery rhyme winds along.

C majorC
C
E MajorE
G+G
A augmentedA
17:03
GbGb
(fast played, more notes than chords)
CbCb
A augmentedA x5
CbCb
GbGb x5
17:18
B minorBm
     D MajorD
So! Come all ye young men who are building castles!
     B minorBm
Kindly state the time of the year
   D MajorD
and join your voices in a hellish chorus.
      B minorBm
Mark the precise nature of your fear.
      D MajorD
See! The summer lightning casts its bolts upon you
     B minorBm
and the hour of judgement draweth near.
      D MajorD
Would you be the fool stood in his suit of armour
    B minorBm
or the wiser man who rushes clear.
A augmentedA
Time 18:06

Jethro Tull: Thick as a brick. Track 2, 18:06 - End
Chords: Paco Jimenez & Håkan Mattsson
Typed by Håkan Mattsson
Capo 3
D MajorD
     G+G
So! Come on ye childhood heroes!
      D MajorD
Won't your rise up from the pages
     E minorEm
of your comic-books your super-crooks and
 D MajorD
show us all the way.
    G+G
Well! Make your will and testament.
      D MajorD
Won't you? Join your local government.
      E minorEm
We'll have Superman for president
   D MajorD
let Robin save the day.
A augmentedA
A majorA
Am...
   G+G
So! Where the hell was Biggles
     D MajorD
when you needed him last Saturday?
   E minorEm
And where were all the sportsmen
  D MajorD
who always pulled you through?
       G+G
They're all resting down in Cornwall -
 D MajorD
writing up their memoirs
    E minorEm
for a paper-back edition
    D MajorD
of the Boy Scout Manual.
D...
D MajorD
A augmentedA
Am...
Orchestral part
A minorAm   3 times
Am...
? ? ? ? ? ? ? (triplets)
D MajorD
  _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <- triplets
           G+G
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
 |------------------3-3-3|------------------3-3-3|
 |----2-----2-------0-0-0|----2-----2-------0-0-0|  twice
 |--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|--0-----0-------0-0-0-0|
 |0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|0-----4-----0-2---2-2-2|
 |-----------------------|-----------------------|
  ^   ^   ^ ^     ^   ^   ^ ^     <- accent

    D MajorD sus2/4
So you ride yourselves over the fields
     D MajorD sus2/4
and you make all your animal deals
     A augmentedA sus2/4
and your wise men don't know how it feels
to be thick as a brick.

Other versions of Thick As A Brick Album

Alternative guitar chords and tabs for Thick as a brick by Jethro Tull