Misplaced Childhood Chords by Marillion

Misplaced Childhood chords by Marillion

Guitar chords with lyrics

"Misplaced Childhood" by Marillion

Here is a complete transcription of the guitar part of the whole album
"Misplaced Childhood" by Marillion (except those songs which have already
been done and are at Nevada).

Bear in mind that this is just what I hear/play - feel free to disagree.
I would love to hear any corrections you have, etc.  I've worked from
the original version, not the live version on "The Thieving Magpie" -
there are some differences.



PSEUDO SILK KIMONO

No guitar that I can make out, but here are some chords if you want
to give it a go...

🎸

Accuracy Rating: - Votes: -

 Bm                         G                           Bm
"Huddled in the safety of a ....

 A           G
"Cruel joke, cruel joke..."



KAYLEIGH

This has been superbly transcribed by Shane P Faulkner, and is at
Nevada, so I'm not going to repeat it here.



LAVENDER

This has also been done, again by Shane, and is also at Nevada.



BITTER SUITE

i) BRIEF ENCOUNTER

   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -15b(17)r-12-----------------------------------------------------
   --------------------12-14-14b16----11----------------------------
   -----------------14-------------------12-------------------------
   -----------------------------------------12/14-------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -14b(15)r-12-----------------------------------------------------
   -------------12--------------------------------------------------
   ----------------14-12-11-14----11--------------------------------
   ----------------------------12-------12--------------------------
   ----------------------------------14----12-14-10-12--------------
   ----------------------------------------------------10-12--------

   -12b(14)--12b(14)r-12-10------15-14------------------------------
   ---------------------------12-------15---------------------------
   ---------------------------------------14----11------------------
   ------------------------------------------------12---------------
   ---------------------------------------------------12/14---------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

...Keyboard chords during words "A spider wanders aimlessly..."


ii) LOST WEEKEND

Keyboard continues during lyrics "A train sleeps in a siding...", then
guitar solo:

   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -17~--14~-------14-15-17--17b(19)r-14~---------------------------
   ---------14~-----------------------------16-16b(18)r-13----------
   --------------16-----------------------------------------14------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   ---------------17~---------17b(19)-17b(19)r----------------------
   ----13-14-13~-----------------------------18----18p14----18p14---
   -------------------14~-----------------------16-------16-------16
   -16--------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   ---------------------------------------17-16h17p16---------------
   -------14-15--14h15-17-17b19r17--17/19-------------19p17---------
   -18p14---------------------------------------------------18~-----
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -16-16b(17)r-14--------------------------------------------------
   -----------------17p15-14/12-------------------------------------
   -----------------------------13--14-13h14-16-16b(18)r--13~-------
   ---------------------------------------------14b(16)r------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -14b(15)r---------14b(15)r--------14b(15)r----------14b(15)r-----
   ----------15---------------15~-------------15----------------15--
   -------------14~------------------------------14~----------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   ----------------17-------------------14b(15)r---------14b(15)r---
   -------15-17b(19)--17b(19)rp15----------------15-----------------
   -14b(16)-----------------------16----------------14~-----------15~
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

                                                      "The sky was..."
   -14b(15)r----------14b(15)r--------------------------------------
   ----------15----------------15----------15h17-17b(19)r-15--------
   -------------14~---------------14-14h16--------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------


iii) BLUE ANGEL

Repeat several times...

   --------------
   --8---7-------
   ----------7---
   --------------
   --------------
   --------------

... then play the last three lines of Lost Weekend again, with minor
variations.


iv) MISPLACED RENDEZVOUS

Capo at the 5th fret - fret numbers are relative to the 5th fret.

Intro:
   Am                                               Fmaj7
   ----0---------------0-------0-----------0-----------------0---
   -1---1---1---1---1---1---1------0---0-------0--0-1--1--0-1----
   --2---2---2---2---2---2---2--------0---0---0--0---2--2--------
   ---2---2---2---2---2---2---2------4---4---4--4-----3--3-------
   0-------0------------------------7---7---7--------------------
   ------------3---1-------1-------------------------------------
                 [thumb]

Verse (x2)  (very similar)
   Am                                               Fmaj7
   ----0---------------0-------0-----------0-----------------0---
   ---1-1-----1---1---1-1-----1----0---0-------0--0-1--1--0-1----
   --2---2---2---2---2---2---2--------0---0---0--0---2--2--------
   -2-----2-2---2---2-----2-2--------4---4---4--4-----3--3-------
   0-------0------------------------7---7---7--------------------
   ------------3---1-------1-------------------------------------

"This time it seems to be..." (x2)
                           Em             [2nd time]
   5--5--5-7--7--7-3--3--3-0-----0-  ...  0---0----
   -0--0--0-0--0--0-0--0--0-0---0--       -0---0---
   --5--5----7--7----5--5----0-0---       --0---0--
   ---------------------------2----       ---2---2-
   --------------------------------       ---------
   --------------------------------       ---------

"With you..." (x2)
   Am       Em       Am      Em
   ---0-----------------0-------------
   1---1--1-0---0--0-1---1--1-0---0--0
   -2----2---0-0--0---2----2---0-0--0-
   --2--2-----2--2-----2--2-----2--2--
   -----------------------------------
   -----------------------------------



v) WINDSWEPT THUMB

This is played on a keyboard (I don't think the guitar plays in this bit)
though it sounds fine on a guitar if you're careful to let the notes ring
out fully.  Note it's played an octave higher that this for the verses on
the keyboard.

Intro, and three verses (x4)

   ----------------------------------------
   ---0-0-0-1-1-1-3-3-1-0------0-------1---
   2-2---0-----2---------0----0-0-----2----
   -2----------------------2-2---2-3-3-----
   -------------------------2-----2-3------
   ----------------------------------------



HEART OF LOTHIAN

i) WIDE BOY

Intro, repeat several times, add overdrive after a few...

   ----------------
   --------8-7-----
   ----7-9-----7-9-
   7---------------
   ----------------
   ----------------

"Wide boys..." (x6)

   ------------12--9-10-12--10p9---------9-10-9-------------------
   ----10--10--------------------12---12--------10---10--10b(12)r-
   9-----9---9-----------------------------------------11---------
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
   ---------------------------------------------------------------

"These hearts of Lothian..." (slower)

   -----10-9-10-12-17--16-17-17b(19)r----------------------------
   --10---------------------------------------15-14-15-17-17b(19)
   9---------------------------------------14--------------------
   -------------------------------------14-----------------------
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   --------------------------------------------------------------

Repeat section between || for several verses - there are some variations
                            "It's six o'clock in the tower blocks..."
   -------------------------||-------------------17---16-17-19p17p16-
   -17-15-14-15-14h15p14----||-------15-14-15-17------------ ^^^^^^-repeat
   ----------------------14-||----14------------------------        several
   -------------------------||-14---------------------------        times
   -------------------------||------------------------------
   -------------------------||------------------------------


   -----------------17~--16b(17)r---------||
   -----15-14-15-17--------------17b(19)r-||
   ---14----------------------------------||
   -14------------------------------------||
   ---------------------------------------||
   ---------------------------------------||



ii) CURTAIN CALL

No guitar that I can make out.



WATERHOLE (EXPRESS BONGO)

Intro. (I think it's played on the keyboard actually)

   -12-/-15-/-11-/-12-/-7-/-8-/-7-/-5---
   -------------------------------------
   -------------------------------------
   -------------------------------------
   -------------------------------------
   -------------------------------------


Verses (x2)

 ||------------------------------------------------12-11-12-15~-----
 ||--------------------10~--------------------10--------------------
 ||----8-9~--------8-9----------8-9~------8-9-----------------------
 ||-7-----------7------------7----------7---------------------------
 ||-----------------------------------------------------------------
 ||-----------------------------------------------------------------

   1. "When taxis gather..."
   2. "And the patter merchants..."
   ------------------------------------------------12-11------------
   --------------------10~--------------------10---------12~--------
   ----8-9~--------8-9----------8-9~------8-9-----------------------
   -7-----------7------------7----------7---------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------


   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   --------------------10~------------------------------------------
   ----8-9~--------8-9----------8-9-------8-9----8-9-------8-9------
   -7-----------7------------7------7-7-7------7-----7-7-7----------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   "So when you think it's time to go..."
   [Chorus - repeat slides a few times]
   ---------------------------||
   -10--/(17)\---10--/(17)\---||
   ---------------------------||
   ---------------------------||
   ---------------------------||
   ---------------------------||



LORDS OF THE BACKSTAGE

   Pattern A                      Pattern B
   ---------------------------    ----------------------------
   -6---5---8-----6---5---8---    -10--8--7-8--10--8--7-8-----
   -------7---7-5-------7---5-    ------------------------7---
   ---------------------------    ----------------------------
   ---------------------------    ----------------------------
   ---------------------------    ----------------------------

   Pattern C
   -10--8-7-8--10--8-7-8------
   ----------------------8----
   ---------------------------
   ---------------------------
   ---------------------------
   ---------------------------

Intro 4xA
Then, 8xA, 2xB, 2xC, 4xA, 2xB, 2xC, 8xA, 2xB, 2xC, 4xA, 2xB, 2xC (!)



BLIND CURVE

i) VOCAL UNDER A BLOODLIGHT

   -12b14----12----9--9b(10)r---------9b(10)r-----------------------
   -----------------------------10-------------12-------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -9b(10)r---------------------------------------------------------
   ----------12--10---------------10b(12)r--------------------------
   ------------------11---------------------11----------------------
   ---------------------------------------------------11b(12)r------
   -------------------------------------------------------------9---
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -9b(10)------12b(14)r~-------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------



ii) PASSING STRANGERS

   ------------------------------    -------------------------------
   ---------------------------10-    --9----10-----9----10----10----
   --7p6-7-6--------7p6-7-6------    -------------------------------
   ------------8------------8----    ----11-----11---11----11-------
   ------------------------------    -------------------------------
   ------------------------------    -------------------------------

Solo...
Engage panic circuits!
I have used XXX to indicate "pluck wildly at the same note for a while".
Not sure about the first chord!  Parts of this are completely wild.  I
love it, but I can't play it very well, or hear it!  Here's my best shot,
but I'm sure I've left several notes out in parts!

   F#m?
   -5?----------------------------------------------------------14--
   -2?-------17b(19)-------17b(19)-17b(19)-17b(19)----17b(19)-------
   -2?--------------------------------------------------------------
   -4?--------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -16b(17)rp(14)---------------------------------------------------
   ---------------17b(19)---------19r(17)-15-14h15-14h15p14----14---
   ---------------------------------------------------------16----16
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -------------14h15p14----14--------------------------------------
   -------14h15----------15----15-14h15p14----14--------------------
   -15h16----------------------------------16----16-15-16---15h16p15
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----15-----15h16h15----15h16p15-----15/16-16XXX--16/14-14-14----
   -17-----17-----------17----------17---------------------------16-
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   --------------------------------16-17-19-17h19-19(b)21-19b(21)---
   -------------17b(19)-17b(19)-19----------------------------------
   -14b(16)--16-----------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -19b(21)-19b(21)-19b(21)-19b(21)-19b(21)-----19/21-21b(22)XXX----
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -19-21-19/17-19---14-15-----14-----------------------------------
   -------------------------17-----15-14-14h15-14-------------------
   -----------------------------------------------16p15-15h16-------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------15b(17)-----------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------16/18-18-18-18-18-
   ------14h16p14h16p14h16...----------14h16~-----------------------
   -16--------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

             (x2)
   --------||----19-17-15-15h17-----------19-17-15-15h17------------
   --------||--------------------15~-----------------------15~------
   -18-18--||-------------------------------------------------------
   --------||-------------------------------------------------------
   --------||-------------------------------------------------------
   --------||-------------------------------------------------------

   ---------------------------------------------------||
   -15--14h15p14----14~-------15--14h15p14----14~-----||
   --------------16------------------------16---------||
   ---------------------------------------------------||
   ---------------------------------------------------||
   ---------------------------------------------------||



iii) MYLO

   Repeat for the duration.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -------------------------------------------10---------------10---
   -12----11---------12-----11--------------------------------------
   --------------9------------------9-12-11-9----------12-11-9------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------



iv) PERIMETER WALK

   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -11----11-12-14-12-11-----9---11-9-------------------------------
   ----11----------------11----9------12-11h12p11-9~----------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -11----11-12-14-12-11-----9---11-9-------------12/14~------------
   ----11----------------11----9------12-11h12p11-------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   (x2)
 ||-----------------------------------------------------------------||
 ||-14----14-15/12---12---12-/17~----14----14-15/12---12---12~------||
 ||-----------------------------------------------------------------||
 ||----11---------------9---------------11---------------9----------||
 ||-----------------------------------------------------------------||
 ||-----------------------------------------------------------------||

  For the duration of the words:
  (I think this is actually on the keyboard...)

   -9-------------------------------9---9b(10)r---------------------
   ------12---10---9----------------------------12----10----9-------
   ------------------9----------------------------------------9-----
   --------------------11---------------------------------------11--
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------



v) THRESHOLD

Intro, and twice per verse:  (with minor variations)
"I saw a war widow..."
    A            G           A                        G
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   ------1b(2)-------------------1b(2)--14b(15)r-12\----------------
   -2------------4-----------2------------------------4------X\-----
   -2------------5----5~-----2------------------------5------X\-----
   -0------------5-----------0------------------------5------X\-----
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

"I see convoys..."
    D           C           D          C
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -7-----------5-----------7----------5-------X\-------------------
   -7-----------5-----------7----------5-------X\-------------------
   -5-----------3-----------5----------3-------X\-------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

"I can't take anymore..."  (slight variation 2nd time)
    D
   -17-15-14----15-14-------------17-15-14----15-14-----------------
   ----------15-------15-------------------15-------15-14-----------
   ----------------------14-----------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

    C
   -15-13-12----13-12-------------15--------------------------------
   ----------13-------13----------------13----15b(17)---------------
   ----------------------12-----------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

Ending (x4):

   ------------12~----9-10-12-10p9--------9-10-9--------------------
   ------10-10--------------------12~---12------10~--10--10b(12)r---
   -9~-----9--9----------------------------------------11-----------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------



CHILDHOODS END?

Need a good bit of delay here, as for Kayleigh.  I guess the delay
parameters remain the same for the whole album, it's just switched on
and off as required.

Repeat for intro and verse:

   --------------------------------------
   --------------------------------------
   -11------------------11---------------
   ----12--14p11----------12---14-11-----
   --------------12------------------12--
   --------------------------------------

Repeat chords for chorus:
(almost the same chords as the Kayleigh chorus!)
   -7--------9----5---------10-------9----7-------
   -9--------10---7---------10-------10---9-------
   -9--------9----7---------11-------9----9-------
   -----------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------

Solo between verses:

   ----------------------------------12b(14)-12~--10-9-9h10-9-------
   -12b(14)--12---10p9-10-9h10p9------------------------------10-12~
   ------------------------------9~---------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -------------------------------12b(14)r-12--10-9-9h10-9----------
   ----12~--10-9-9h10-9-10---------------------------------10b(12)--
   -9----------------------9~---------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------



WHITE FEATHER

Okay, this has already been done by Dan Newcombe (it's at Nevada),
but to me it sounds a little different, so I've included my own
version.  The effects used make it really difficult to hear - I guess
everyone hears it differently!  But anyway...

   ------------------------12---------------------------------------
   --------10------10---------------10--8h10p8-7-8--8p7-------------
   -----------9-------9---------------------------------7-----------
   --7----------------------------------------------------7---------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   --9--7h9p7--6h7p6------------------------------------------------
   -------------------9--7------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   -----------------------------------------------------------------

To me it sounds like Steve plays pretty much the same throughout the
song, but replaces some of the fiddly bits with equivalent chords and
strums them a few times during the verses...?

Towards the end, there is a bit of a solo based around these notes.

And that's it!

Last updated: April 23, 2021

Your last visited songs

Marillion chords for Misplaced childhood

What is this?

Learn how to play "Misplaced Childhood" by Marillion with our easy-to-follow guitar chords guide. Build confidence, sharpen your technique, and enjoy playing guitar.

Who Is This Page For?

This guitar chords tutorial for "Misplaced Childhood" by Marillion is crafted for all musicians players ready to learn and grow. Whether you're just starting or refining your skills, this guide meets you where you are.

Why This Page Is Perfect for You

No matter your skill level, this page is a valuable resource for improving your guitar chords playing.

What You Will Gain

By using our guitar chords, you’ll not only learn to play "Misplaced Childhood" by Marillion with accuracy and style, but you'll also elevate your overall musicianship. Explore our full archive of guitar chords for more songs, skills, and inspiration.

Other versions of Misplaced Childhood by Marillion

Misplaced childhood Tabs

×