The Copper Beech by Cathal Coughlan
From the Cathal Coughlan’s 2021 Song of Co-Aklan album. Written by Cathal Coughlan. No capo.
INTRO
[Em7] [Bm] (x4)
VERSE 1
[F#m] When the wind gusts [Bm] up the dale
The [C#7sus4] roof beams creak and [C#7] sigh
Like his [Bm] weary limbs, [E/B] tensing and [Bdim] failing
As [C#m] Father sat up to die
VERSE 2
The [F#m] time has passed, I’m [Bm] here alone
Now [C#7sus4] Mother’s gone as [C#7] well
Their [F#m] house is a dusty [Abm] shell
Each [E7/G#] bump and scratch, I know too well
The [Em] copper [F#m] beech and the [Em6] time-lapse limit [Em] [F#m] [Em]
Don’t be [Em] gin a [F#m] gain on what was [Em6] meant to finish [Em] [F#m] [Em]
VERSE 3
[F#m] Spring arrives, un [Bm] bidden
Those [C#7sus4] branches blush and [C#7] gleam
Look [Bm] down on me with [E/B] pity
Like [C#m] this whole town, it seems
VERSE 4
When I [F#m] take a drink on [Bm] Sunday
Day [C#7sus4] labour set a [C#7] side
somebody [F#m] sober always gets [Abm] snide
‘Cos they [E7/G#] know they won’t be asked outside
I [Em] walk these [F#m] streets, a one- [Em6] man procession [Em] [F#m] [Em]
The [Em] copper [F#m] beech and the [Em6] unlearned lessons [Em] [F#m] [Em]
[Bm] In the cities, [Em] swanky fellas
[F#7] Duck and dive and [Bm] scheme
[Bm] Cufflinks glint and [Bdim] brandy’s sipped
Those [Bdim] midnight lamps and sweet deals beckon [F#m] me [Bm] [C#7sus4] [C#7]
[Bm] [E/B] [C#m]
[F#m] [Bm] [C#7sus4] [C#7]
[A6] [B/A] [Em]
OUTRO
[Em] Moving [F#m] on before I [Em6] grow unable [Em] [F#m] [Em]
[Em] Copper [F#m] beech, time to [Em6] burn my cradle [Em] [F#m] [Em]
Oh, copper [Bm] beech, don’t you [Bm7] chide or [Em6] warn me [Em] [F#m] [Em]
‘cause there’s a [Em] world out [F#m] there with a [Em] plan made for me [A6] [Abm7] [C#m7] [D6]