verse 1 
      Am 
Three scruples to a dram boys 
Am 
Eight drams to an ounce 
Dm                      Am 
Two cups will get you a pint now 
        E7 
And the first one’s on the house 

verse 2 
Am 
The drunkard craves just another 
Am 
Blind man blames the eye 
Dm                     Am 
The poor man dreams of riches 
      E7              Am 
And a martyr prays to die 


[Refrão]
Am 
I don't need to read the papers 
Dm 
Or the tea leaves to understand 
Am 
That this world's been shaved 
Em                    Am 
By a drunken barber's hand 

verse 3 
Am 
I've drowned in the pull of young love 
Am 
Known the high and the hurt 
Dm                      Am 
I've felt the heartbeat quicken 
       E7 
At the sight of a lifted skirt 

verse 4 
Am 
I've thrilled to the big sound 
Am 
Felt the rumble and the roar 
Dm                          Am 
Drove straight through the blackest night 
     E7           Am 
In a chase forevermore 


[Refrão]
Am 
I don't need to read the papers 
Dm 
Or the tea leaves to understand 
Am 
That this world's been shaved 
Em                    Am 
By a drunken barber's hand 

Bridge 
Dm 
I rode ten thousand miles 
Am 
On a carousel horse of wood 
Dm 
We end up where we started 
Em 
Get right back on if we could 

Verse 5 
Am 
So go ahead make your confession 
Am 
To a washed up whiskey priest 
Dm                    Am 
I'll be puttin' money down 
       E7                  Am 
On the rough and slouching beast 


[Refrão]
Am 
'Cause I don't need to read the papers 
Dm 
Or the tea leaves to understand 
Am 
That this world's been shaved 
Em                    Am 
By a drunken barber's hand 
 
Am 
I don't need to read the papers 
Dm 
Or the tea leaves to understand 
Am 
That this world's been shaved 
Em                    Am 
By a drunken barber's hand