G Am C G Am C
G Am C G Am C
[Verse 1]
G
One day you might hear someone knocking
Am C G Am C
Loudly at your door
G
And you know it must be bad news
Am C G Am C
Absolutely sure
G
You must realise before you
Am C G Am C
Strike the very first blow
G
He's the one who only tells you
Am C G Am C
What you already know
[Pre-chorus]
(single strums)
Am Em
Lay not a finger on him
(return to strumming)
Am Em C D
Beat not or bruise not his skinny skin skin
[Chorus]
G Am C
Don't ever harm the messenger
G Am C
Don't ever harm the messenger
G Am C G Am C
[Verse 2]
G
Understand he came a long way
Am C G Am C
On a lonely road
G
Multiplying were his trials
Am C G Am C
Heavy was his load
G
Understand his heart was breaking
Am C G Am C
Never once did he sleep
G
And no hollow log kept him warm
Am C G Am C
No council did he keep
[Pre-chorus]
(single strums)
Am Em
Give him food give him a bed
(return to strumming)
Am Em C D
Touch not one single hair on his head
[Chorus]
G Am C
No Don't ever harm the messenger
G Am C
Don't ever harm the messenger
[Break]
G Am C G Am C x4
[Verse 3]
(spoken)
G Am C
Understand he came a long way
G Am C
A long way on a lonely road
G Am C
Multiplying were his trials
G Am C
Heavy was his load
G Am C
Understand his heart was breaking
G Am C
Never once did he sleep
G Am C G
And no hollow log, no hollow log kept him warm
G Am C
No council did he keep
[Pre-chorus]
(single strums)
Am Em
Lay not a finger on him
(return to strumming)
Am Em C D
Beat not or bruise not his skinny skin skin
[Chorus]
G Am C
Don't ever harm the messenger
G Am C
No Don't ever harm the messenger
G Am C
Don't ever harm the messenger
G Am C
No Don't ever harm the messenger
[Break]
G Am C G Am C
G Am C G Am C
[Outro]
G Am C G Am C
Friend, it could be you
G Am C G Am C
G Am C G Am C
There but for the grace of God, there but for the grace of God...
