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Continental Op
Rory Gallagher
Text File
Artist: Rory Gallagher
Song: Continental Op [For Dashiell Hammett] (1989)
Album: Meeting With the G Man
Version: -
AUTHOR:
Tab annotated by Richard Grosser (grosserr@gmail.com)
I've written this as I couldn't find a chord tab of this tribute to "the dean of the
school of detective fiction" (NY Times).
There's infinitely more subtleties in this song, such as the slide riffs which I'll add
later revisions. Please feel free to modify to full barre or power chords to suit your
and simply the chord riffs. Corrections are most welcome!
I do trust that you'll enjoy it, as much as I did trying to unravel it!...
TUNING:
Standard Tuning.
CHORDS:
A ========== x02220
A7 ========== x02223 (barre with first finger -lift-off 'e' string)
A7* ========= x02020
E7 ========== x20100
E ========== x22100
Dm7 ========= x00221
D ========== xx0232
G7 ========== xx0001
G =========== xx0003
"Les's go to work!..."
Chord Intro:
A7(X3) forceful downward strokes only... repeat with A(x3), then G7 sliding to A7(sustained).
Verse 1:
A7 A
There's a body in the bay
A7 A
The cops are taking it away
A7 A
They said this case was closed
A7 A
It only shows you that - never know
E7 E
So who they gonna get when the troubles got to stop
A A
Here's my card
A G7 G A
I'm the Contintental Op
Verse 2:
A7 A
Jane Doe in the bay
A7 A
Now that's exhibit 'A'
A7 A
Bloodstains on the dress of the millionairess
A7 A
But I saw you leavin' town
A7 A
I'm gonna have to track you down
A7 A
Just like a hound
A7 A
You slipped through the web
A7 A
And you might have dodged the Feds
E7 E
But who they gonna get when you've outfoxed the cops
A7 A
Here's my number
A G7 G A
I'm the Continental Op
[Have mercy babe!...]
(First Guitar Solo - Slide)
Chord accompaniment:
A7(X3) A(X3) on downward and upward strokes, then G7 downward and G upward, sliding back
A7.
Chorus:
Dm7 D
Call the agency, we never close
Dm7 D
First consultation is free
Dm7 D
Check my reputation an' my post
E7 E A
(But) ...first ya oughta check my fee
Verse 3:
A7 A
There's a menace on the streets
A7 A
Offering infants sweets
A7 A
Don't give this man a ride
A7 A
Lock your car from the inside
A7 A
(He's) ...suspect No. 1
A7 A
But I guess his race is run
A7 A
He left a set of prints
A7 A
He ain't as smart as ya think
E7 E
But who they gonna get when you've outfoxed the cops
A7 A
Here's my card
A G7 G A
I'm the Continental Op
[Everythin'!...]
(Second Guitar Solo - Fuzz)
Chord accompaniment:
A7(X2) A(X2) on downward and upward strokes, then G7 downward and G upward, sliding back
A7.
[Repeat]
Chord accompaniment:
A7(X2) A(X2) on downward and upward strokes, then G7 downward and G upward, sliding back
A7 (with long sustain).
---------------------------------------------------------
Verse 4:
A7 A
There's a body in the bay
A7 A
The cops have taken it away
A7 A
They say this case was closed
A7 A
It only shows that you never know
A7 A
Bruises 'round the neck
A7 A
When they did a body check
A7 A
I saw you leaving town
A7 A
I'll track you down like a hound
E7 E
Who they gonna get when you've outfoxed the cops
A7 A
Here's my card
A G7 G A
I'm the Continental Op
E7 E
Yeah, who they gonna get when you've out foxed they cops
A7 A
Here's my badge
A G7 G A
I'm the Continental Op.
______
Footnotes:
1. Lyrics for Verses 1 to 3 confirmed from Rory Gallagher "Live at Montreaux" DVD (2006)
2. Lyrics for Verse 4 from Rory Gallagher "Meeting With the G Man" CD [IMPORT] (2003)
3. Additional verse courtesy of"The Thrilling Detective Web
Site":http://www.thrillingdetective.com/trivia/triv187.html
4. See "Contnental Op": http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/The_Continental_Op for background
Rory's song.
5. After transcribing but a small portion of this song you appreciate how much effort
and his band put into their work!
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