Dane Geld
View chords used in this chart
Em Am Em
It is always a temptation for an armed and agile nation
B7
To call upon a neighbor and say,
Em Am Em
"We invaded you last night. We are quite prepared to fight
B7 Em
Unless you pay us cash to go away."
Am Em
And that is called "asking for Dane Geld."
Am Em
And the people who ask it explain
Am Em
That once you have paid him the Dane Geld,
B7 Em
Then you'll be rid of the dane.
Em Am Em
It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation
B7
To puff and look important and to say,
Em Am Em
"Though we really should defeat you, we've not the time to meet you.
B7 Em
We'll therefore pay you cash to go away."
Am Em
And that is called "paying the Dane Geld."
Am Em
And we've proved it again and again
Am Em
That once you have paid him the Dane Geld
B7 Em
You'll never get rid of the dane.
Em Am Em
It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation
B7
For fear they should succumb and go astray.
Em Am Em
So when you're requested to pay up or be molested
B7 Em
You'll find it better policy to say...
Am Em
"We never pay anyone Dane Geld
Am Em
No matter how trifling the cost.
Am Em
For the end of that game is oppression and shame
B7 EM
And the nation who plays it is lost."
Am Em
"No, we never pay anyone Dane Geld
Am Em
No matter how trifling the cost.
Am Em
For the end of that game is oppression and shame
B7 Am Em
And the nation who plays it is lost."
How to play Dane Geld
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 Em. 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.