Guitar Tab:James K. Polk

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A version of this song's chords intended for beginner guitarists is available at the TMBG In 4 Chords project: James K. Polk.

James K. Polk

By: They Might Be Giants

Key: C Major

Year: 1996

Tabbed By: Eli McIlveen

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + [Convention: each chord is two beats/half a measure. A dash indicates that the chord is held for another two beats. A note in brackets following a chord indicates that the note is played by the bass against the chord.] 1. |: C G(B) C F(A) C G C F  :| In eighteen forty-four, the Democrats were split The three nominees for the presidential candidate C G C F C F G - Were Martin Van Buren, a former president and an abolitionist C F G - James Buchanan, a moderate C F G Am D D(C) D(B) D(A) Lewis Cass, a general and expansionist C F C F G - - - From Nashville came a dark horse riding up C Am F G C F C G He was James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump 2. Austere, severe, he held few people dear His oratory filled his foes with fear The factions soon agreed He's just the man we need To bring about victory Fulfill our manifest destiny And annex the land the Mexicans command And when the votes were cast the winner was Mister James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump Instrumental (Solo, see below; original 1990 recording has a vocal solo): C G C F C F G - C F G - C F G Am D D(C) D(B) D(A) C F C F G - - - C Am F G C F C G 3. In four short years he'd met his every goal He seized the whole southwest from Mexico Made sure the tarriffs fell And made the English sell the Oregon territory He built an independent treasury Having done all this he sought no second term But precious few have mourned the passing of C Am F G D7 - E - Mister James K. Polk, our eleventh president Am F Dm G C Young Hickory, Napoleon of the Stump Singing Saw on Guitar (Not used on the original 1990 recording): |-----------------------3--3-5--5---- |------3--3-5--5-5b-5b------------3-- |-5--5------------------------------- |------------------------------------ |------------------------------------ |------------------------------------ |-----3--3-5--5--------3--5-5-6b-7-8-8-10-10- |-5-6-----------3--5-6----------------------- |-------------------------------------------- |-------------------------------------------- |-------------------------------------------- |-------------------------------------------- |--------3-3-5-5-7--7----7-8-7-5-3----------- |-5--6-6---------------------------6-5-3----- |----------------------------------------5-5- |-------------------------------------------- |-------------------------------------------- |--------------------------------------------