[Intro]
[Strophe]
A                         Amaj7 
Standing on the water, casting your bread 
           Bm/A                    E/A             A 
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing 
A                      Amaj7 
Distant ships sailing into the mist 
          Bm/A                              E/A                        A 
You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was   blowing 
Bm       E                          A 
Freedom just around the corner for you 
          Bm               E                  A   D 
But with truth so far off, what good will it do.
[Refrain]
E                          D 
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune 
A         E/G#        F#m          D 
Bird fly high by the light of the moon 
C#m7  D6  E   A 
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
[Strophe]
A                    Amaj7 
So swiftly the sun sets in the sky 
Bm/A             E/A                  A  D/A 
You rise up and say goodbye to no one 
A                    Amaj7 
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread 
Bm/A                       E/A                     A 
Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don't show one 
Bm            E                 A 
Shedding off one more layer of skin 
         Bm            E                     A    D 
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.
[Refrain]
E                      D 
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune 
A         E/G#        F#m          D 
Bird fly high by the light of the moon 
C#m7  D6  E   A 
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
[Strophe]
         A                              Ammaj7 
You're a man of the mountain, you can walk on the clouds 
      Bm/A                      E/A            A  D/A 
Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister 
                 A 
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah 
     Amaj7                     Bm/A              E/A           A 
But what do you care ? Ain't nobody there would want marry your sister 
Bm                       E                     A 
Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame 
                 Bm                E                         A        D 
You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name.
[Refrain]
E                         D 
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune 
A          E/G#        F#m         D 
Bird fly high by the light of the moon 
C#m7  D6  E   A 
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
[Strophe]
          A                      Ammaj7 
Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy 
     Bm/A                      E/A               A    D/A 
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers 
       A                           Amaj7 
In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed 
Bm/A         E/A                               A 
Michelangeo indeed could've carved out your features 
Bm                      E                     A 
Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space 
          Bm                      E                       A    D 
Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face.
[Refrain]
E                       D 
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune 
A          E/G#        F#m         D 
Bird fly high by the light of the moon 
C#m7 D6  E    A 
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
[Strophe]
           A                        Ammaj7 
Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame 
        Bm/A                        E/A                  A        D/A 
Preacherman seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain  
A                               Amaj7 
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks 
       Bm/A           E/A                  A 
Molotow cocktails and rocks behind every curtain 
Bm                    E                          A 
False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin 
       Bm               E                            A  D 
Only a matter of time 'til the night comes stepping in.
[Refrain]
E                      D 
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune 
A          E/G#        F#m         D 
Bird fly high by the light of the moon 
C#m7  D6  E   A 
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
[Strophe]
        A                         Amaj7 
It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray 
   Bm/A                      E/A                              A      D/A 
A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet 
                A                            Amaj7 
He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat 
           Bm/A                       E/A 
Take the motherless children off the street 
                        A 
And place them at the feet of a harlot 
Bm             E                 A 
Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants 
Bm             E                     A    D 
Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response.
[Refrain]
E                       D 
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune 
A          E/G#      F#m          D 
Bird fly high by the light of the moon 
C#m7 D6  E    A 
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman. 
[Outro]
| A   | Amaj7   | Bm/A   |  E/A   |  A    | D/A
| Bm  | E       | A      | A
| Bm  | E       | A      | D
| E   | D       | A  E/G# | F#m