THE GNU SONG
(Michael Flanders and Donald Swann, 1956)
The original, being a piano song, was in Eb. This is for guitar (Ultimate Guitar, don't you know).
If you want to play in the original key, stick a capo on fret three (or wherever else tickles your fancy).
[verse 1]
C G
A year ago last Thursday, I was strolling in the zoo,
Dm C
When I met a man who thought he knew the lot.
E Am
He was laying down the law about the habits of baboons
D G
And the number of quills a porcupine has got.
C7 C7/Bb
So I asked him: "What's that creature there?" He answered, "Oh, it's a helk."
F C Dm
I might have gone on thinking that was true,
Dm/F Am E7 Am
If the animal in question hadn't put that chap to shame,
Dm6 E
And remarked, "I hain't a helk. I'm a g-nu.
[Chorus]
A
"I'm a g-nu. I'm a g-nu,
Bm F#7 Bm
The g-nicest work of g-nature in the zoo.
I'm a g-nu. How do you do?
E A
You really ought to k-now w-ho's w-ho.
I'm a g-nu, spelt G-N-U.
A7 D7
I'm g-not a camel or a kangaroo.
Bm Cdim7 A F#7
So let me introduce: I'm g-neither man nor moose.
B7 E7 A
Oh g-no, g-no, g-no, I'm a g-nu."
[Verse 2]
C G
I had taken furnished lodgings down at Rustingham-on-Sea,
Dm C
Whence I travelled on to Ashton under Lyne,
E Am
And the second night I stayed there, I was wakened from a dream,
D G
Which i'll tell you all about some other time.
C7 C7/Bb
Among the hunting trophies on the wall above my bed,
F C Dm
Stuffed and mounted was a face I thought I knew.
Dm/F Am E7 Am
A bison? Nay. An okapi? Hmm. Could it be a hartebeest?
Dm6 E
Then I seemed to hear a voice: "I'm a g-nu.
[Chorus 2]
A
"I'm a g-nu, a g-nother g-nu.
Bm F#7 Bm
I wish I could g-nash my teeth at you.
I'm a g-nu. How do you do?
E A
You really ought to k-now w-ho's w-ho.
I'm a g-nu, spelt G-N-U.
A7 D
Call me 'bison' or 'okapi' and I'll sue.
Bm Cdim7 A F#7
G-nor am I in the least like that dreadful hartebeest.
B7 E7 A F#7
Oh, g-no, g-no, g-no, I'm a g-nu.
B7 E7 A F#7
G-no, g-no, g-no, I'm a g-nu
B7 E7 A E7 A
G-no, g-no, g-no, I'm a g-nu.
