The Shins – The Rifles Spiral (Ukulele)

Key
-

Auto-scroll

Chords

I think the intro sounds best all on barre chords, ie start on the 2nd fret for the F#m and end up at the 12th fret for the E. As for the rest of the song, sounds best when using the 5th root B chord on the second fret, and the corresponding F#m on the second fret. I tend to use open D and E chords, has a nice sound. I actually worked this out from a live performance from 2009, when it was known as "Fool of a Martyr". But back then it was in a different key, if you're trying to play that version, try putting it up 3 semitones, and the groundwork is mostly there! Intro F#m G#m A B C#m D E
B                      F#m
Dead lungs command it.

B                            F#m
You pour your life down the rifle's spiral

     B                       F#m
And show us you've earned it

      B                 F#m
The cleric's fog will recede right before your eyes

E                 F#m
So long to this wretched form

E          F#m
Them grey eyes on the subway.

E     F#m
Long before you were born

           D                      E
You were always to be a dagger floating straight to their heart.

B                        F#m
"Listen now we won't tell anyone

B                 F#m
But you gonna tell the world

B                         F#m
This whole life ain't been any fun.

B                F#m
Now your viscera unfurls,

        E                    F#m
as you rise. Rise from your burning fiat and

E               F#m
go. Go get my suitcase, would you?

E                  F#m                         D
You've thoroughly blown their minds and now I must

                         E
Have passage home. Your life. Just two veins from your heart."
B F#m x 3 D E
F#m              G#m
You're not invisible now.

A                B
You just don't exist.

C#m              D
Your mother must be so proud.

E
You sublimate yourself granting us a wish
B F#m x 2
B            F#m
A primitive mural on the wall

B              F#m
to fortify your grim resolve.

B                  F#m
Amid the glitz of a shopping mall

B                 F#m
Another grain of indigent salt for the

E                      F#m
sea. Good night to these wretched forms.

E             F#m
All them grey eyes on the subway.

E         F#m                          D
So long before you were born you were always

                  E
to be a dagger floating straight to their heart.
B