Life and Life Only
One of the early Al songs, from Love Chronicles, that we used to
see him play on the college circuit. The perspective-shift at the
end of the last verse is particularly effective. Mr Willoughby
on the cricket field always evokes Bingley Grammar School for me.
Am7 [ 3 0 2 2 1 0]
F6 [ 1 x 3 2 3 1]
Intro (the A, B, C, B, A on the A string needs to be brought
out here and on the first two lines of each verse)
Am E C E
Verse 1
Am E7
Mister Willoughby whose only luxury is the
C E7
Sugar in his tea teaches history at
Am Am7 F E7 Am E7
High Worthington School
Am E7
His clothing has remained unnoticeably plain
C E7
His common room technique suitably restrained
Am Am7 F E7 Am
Though may-be too cool.
F6 E7
Work done in the summery sun see the cricket ball fly intently
Am C D7
Like a strange demented bird towards the sun
Am E7
Considering its flight he pauses for a while
C E7
Ah, but mister Willoughby we've never seen you smile
Am Am7 F E7 Am
Tell me how come
Chorus
F E7 Am C D7
Ahhhhhh, for sometimes it must get lonely
F E7 Am E7 C E7
Ahhhhhh, but it's life and life only.
Verse 2
Am E7
Maurice, said Renee why didn't you say
C E7
That you'd be so late, the supper that I made
Am Am7 F E7 Am E7
Is rui-----------ned again
Am E7
Is there anything you'd like, no nothing" he replied
C E7
Standing by the stairs, not looking in her eyes
Am Am7 F E7 Am
So stu------------pidly male
F6 E7
All dark and lying in bed: you've been with her again she bursts out
Am C D7
Then turning on her side begins to cry
Am E7
At first he doesn't stir, then mumbling his words
C E7
He reaches for her hand She shivers,
Am Am7 F E7 Am
but doesn't ta-----------ke it away.
Chorus
F E7 Am C D7
Ahhhhhh, for sometimes it must get lonely
F E7 Am E7 C E7
Ahhhhhh, but it's life and life only.
Verse 3
Am E7
Smithy Smithers-Bell, clerk from Clerkenwell
C E7
On the beach at Bournmouth thinks he very well
Am Am7 F E7 Am E7
May be next year in France
Am E7
Inspired for a while he decides to risk a smile
C E7
At Mr Willoughby who passes polishing his glasses and
Am Am7 F E7 Am
Studiously averting his glance
F6 E7
Renee several deck-chairs away wonders if they will be better
Am C D7
While Maurice is with the kids out in the sea
Am E7
And I was feeling small sitting on the wall
C E7
Looking at them all and wondering
Am Am7 F E7 Am
Who will I be
Chorus
F E7 Am C
Ahhhhhh, but sometimes it does get lonely
F E7 Am E7 C E7
Ahhhhhh, but its life and life only
Am E7
Eb G7 Cm G7 \\ repeat and fade
Ah, but it's life and life only /