Verse 1: G See, darling, you could sit there bored as hell With those two-faced nobles treading on your toes C D G Or you could take a chance on a night of dark romance A7 D Where you'll learn the only thing a courtier knows: Chorus: G It’s the art of pleasing princes G7 That's all life has to be C I'm an expert at the practice since D The prince who’s pleased is me! C G I live for praise in a golden haze C G Of sex and borrowed time Am C Before my father ends my days D Each night should be sublime!
Interlude: G G7 C D C G C G Am C D Verse 2: G G/D G When you live your life on the edge of a knife Em A pawn in your father's grand plan C G You drown your spite in hedonistic delight A7 D And take the edge off any way you can Chorus: G It's the art of pleasing princes G7 He's so dangerous and brooding! C All the courtiers fall D D7 For the sly charm that he's exuding! C G Seditious lords adore me C G And do anything I say Am C The church and king abhor me D And I wouldn't have it any other way! Bridge: N.C. He's for: G Composers who hate writing nothing but hymns Gm Artists who want to paint long, naked limbs C Socialites stuck in the muck of bureaucracy D D7 Scholars whose studies might shake the theocracy Gm Though he would never get up before noon And he drinks his liquor from a golden spoon Cm Though he might be too flighty to be a good king D D7 He's apt to get distracted by his newest fling C G Still, despite all his flaws he’s the best chance we’ve got A A7 D So the art of pleasing princes is our sycophantic lot Chorus: G It's the art of pleasing princes G7 When it’s difficult to tell C If tomorrow you'll be mince, it's nice D To know you'll go to hell! C G In a court of schemes and spies C G Why not toady to the best Am C ‘cause bad princes make good allies D G And love is all that I request! D D7 G Yes, love is all that (we/I) request!