Both Soldiers And Police
View chords used in this chart
Afinação: E A D G B ETecla: ACapotraste: Sem capotraste
[Intro]
A
[Verse]
A D
I met this ancient trooper, a very special one,
A E
his face was scarred by war and battered by the sun,
A D
and though he had to live by his Wits and by the gun,
E A
the laugh lines ‘round his eyes told me he also had some fun.
[Interlude]
G A
“On your badge” I said “there’s an acronym I see:
G E
British South Africa Police” I asked gingerly;
A D
he said “Yes, son, you’re right, but it’s not an anomaly,
E A
you’ll understand when I take you back into our history.
[Verse]
A D
They put us all together in 1889
A E
as an escort for some pioneers that left the Kimberly Mine,
A D
headed off to blaze a trail for a British visionary
E A
to a place they called Rhodesia for the BSA Company.
[Interlude]
G A
We fought the sun and wind and rain, disease and hostile tribes,
G E
we put down two rebellions soon after we arrived,
A D
we captured Massaquesse from the Portuguese,
E A
we were on the Jameson Raid and Kruger wasn’t pleased.
[Chorus]
D A D E
Both soldiers and police, fight a war or keep the peace,
A D
when you see the letters BSAP, remember
E A
both soldiers and police were we.
[Verse]
A D
We fought the boers from 1898 to 1903,
A E
from Elands River to Mafeking our fallen graves you’ll see,
A D
if you ever go to Lichtenburg, two troopers there they lay,
E A
they share a burial ground with Boer general De La Rey.
[Interlude]
G A
Then after we went back at home, the country was at peace,
G E
we carried out our calling doing duties as police,
A D
but then came the devastating 14-18 War,
E A
borders threatened by the German colonies of Africa.
[Verse]
A D
Our boys then captured Schuckmannsburg in German Caprivi,
A E
border duty and campaigns in Tanganyika Territory,
A D
on horse and camel on foot put dogs in both sand and in the air,
E A
any other place by sun, ask us we were there.
[Interlude]
G A
All creeds and colours served with us way back from days of old,
G E
and many pretty ladies also wore the blue and gold;
A D
Victoria Crosses won by Booth and Nesbitt brought us fame,
E A
we’re the only police in the world where the King stand into our name.
[Chorus]
D A D E
Both soldiers and police, fight a war or keep the peace,
A D
when you see the letters BSAP, remember
E A
both soldiers and police were we.
[Verse]
A D
We then fought a bloody Bush War and won and we survived,
A E
but then the great betrayal led to our demise,
A D
atrocities were swept beneath the carpet made of lies,
E A
the world awarded tyrants our dear land as their prize.
[Interlude]
G A
And I know you think in hindsight it’s easy to be wise,
G E
we told them what would happen much to their surprise”
A D
Then finally he said to me hiding tearful eyes
E A
“Like the wounded lion on our badge, courage never dies”
[Chrous]
D A D E
Both soldiers and police, fight a war or keep the peace,
A D
when you see the letters BSAP, remember
E A
both soldiers and police were we.
How to play Both Soldiers And Police
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is E. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.