Lizard
View chords used in this chart
G Bb C G
Granny Green was stooped as a windblown branch
Bb F
She lived high in the bramble forest
G Bb C G
Once a fortnight, if the moon shone right
Bb F
she came down to our little village
G Bb C G
She brought blackberries and willow bark
Bb F
mandrake root and mushrooms
G Bb C G
And it was said she spoke the tongue of birds
Bb F
And understood the river’s whispers
Eb Bb
Now several girls among our town
F Cm
by a golden lizard they were bitten
G Bb C G
And those sweet girls lay stiff in their beds
Bb C G
like frozen ice up on the branches
G Bb C G
Granny Green mixed a tonic for their ills
Bb F
but it was such a bitter tonic
G Bb C G
All who drank began to dance
Bb F
and could not stop their dancing
Cm Gm
But none would have danced one sinful step
Bb C G
If that old crone had not bewitched us
G Bb C G
Bb F
G Bb C G
How we leaped and pranced and cackled
Bb F
the whole town writhing madmen
Cm Gm
And so desperate grew some to still their feet
Bb C Gm
they dove into the raging river
Eb Bb
Still we danced on day and night
F Cm
till our fine clothes were torn and ragged
G Bb C G
And crying out, “Oh, Lord, make us stop!”
Bb C G
we danced naked round the chapel
G Bb C G
How Granny laughed to see such sin.
Bb F
“It’s just water,” she said, “in my tonic!”
G Bb C G
But all cried out, “She lies! She surely lies!”
Bb C G
and chased her deep into the bramble
Eb Bb
But like the four winds she disappeared
F Cm
Though we searched round and round the branches
G Bb C G
Rolling in leaves and naked ‘neath the trees
Bb C G
we lost the way back to our village
Cm Gm
Eb Bb
But I swear we were all pure of heart
F Cm
till that old crone did bewitch us
G Bb C G
And I know we will all go home
Bb C G
when the good Lord returns to save us
Cm Gm
Bb C G
How to play Lizard
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 G. 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.