Long-time lurker, first-time poster (first time I've tried to figure out a song, as well). It's
probably not perfect, so I'm not promising anything. I'm 99% sure the lyrics are correct, but I
have a hearing disability, so I'm never 100% certain on that. Feel free to comment if you know of
a correction. (I'm also aware that people may spell the "bum diddy" part differently ["bom,"
"bomp," "ditty," etc.] but that's the way I sing it, and it's not like those are actual words
with a dictionary definition and spelling, so.)
The intro and the "From the West...come to Harlem?" part don't have a guitar part in the song,
but those would be the chords if there was a part, based on the rest of the song. I think it
sounds good not to play anything during "Why don't you come to Harlem?" but I'm not telling you
how to live your life or anything.
In the parts where Russell and Alex alternate singing the same lyrics, but overlapping...I lined
the chords up to where they correspond to Russell's voice, just because it's in keeping with the
rhythm; Alex gets a little funky.
Intro:
G Bm G Bm G Bm
G Bm
From the West Coast gonna take a plane
G Bm
Hit the East Coast gonna take an A train
G Am
Hit the East Coast going all the way
Why don't you come to Harlem?
G
All the spies went out to sea
Bm
But I remained in Harlem
G
Had to pay my parking fees
Bm
Felt just like P.T. Barnum
G
Caught a couple Pinter plays
Bm
I should have stayed in Harlem
G
Then I heard a policeman say
Bm
"I think we should disarm him
G
I think we strong-arm him
Am
So out of place in Harlem"
Bm A C G
Then I see you standing there
Bm A C G
In your dyed black hair and no underwear
G
Bum bum diddy diddy, bum bum diddy diddy
Bm
Bum bum diddy police encounters
G
Bum bum diddy diddy, bum bum diddy diddy
Bm
Bum bum diddy police encounters
G
Caught a couple Albee plays
Bm
I should have stayed in Harlem
G
Then I heard a policeman say
Am
"Do your best to not alarm him"
Bm A C G
I've got eyes for the policeman's wife
Bm A C G
In her dyed black hair and her Bowie knife
Bm A C G
I've got eyes for the policeman's wife
Bm A
The policeman's wife, the policeman's wife
C G
The policeman's wife, the policeman's wife
G
Bum bum diddy diddy, bum bum diddy diddy
Bm
Bum bum diddy police encounters
G
Bum bum diddy diddy, bum bum diddy diddy
Bm
Bum bum diddy police encounters
G
Diddy diddy, bum bum diddy diddy
Bm
Bum bum diddy police encounters
G
Diddy diddy, bum bum diddy diddy
Bm
Police encounters
G
Unions went on strike today
Am
But I remained in Harlem
Bm A C G
I've got eyes for the policeman's wife
Bm A C G
In her dyed black hair and her Bowie knife
Bm A C G
As I see her standing there alone
Bm A C G
In her dyed black hair and her Android phone
(x3)
G
Bum bum diddy diddy, bum bum diddy diddy
Bm
Bum bum diddy police encounters
G
Bum bum diddy diddy, bum bum diddy diddy
Bm
Bum bum diddy police encounters
Bum bum
