Once upon a time, I had a little money.
Government burglars took it long
before I could mail it to you.
Still, you are the only one.
Now I can't let it slip away.
So if the man with the ticker tape,
he tries to take it,
well this is what I'm gonna say.
Blame it on Cain.
Don't blame it on me.
Oh, oh, it's nobody's fault,
but we need somebody to burn.
Well if I was a saint with
a silver cup
and the money got low
we could always heat it up
or trade it in.
But then the radio that heaven will be wired to your purse.
And then you can run down the wave band,
coast to coast, hand in hand.
Bad to worse, curse for curse,
don't be dissatisfied.
So you're not satisfied.
(Chorus)
I think I've lived a little too long
on the outskirts of town
I think I'm going insane
from talking to myself for so long.
Oh but I've never been accused.
When they step up on your face,
you wear that good look grin.
I gotta break out one weekend
if I do somebody in.
But every single time
I feel a little stronger,
they tell me it's a crime.
Well how much longer?
(Chorus)
Blame it on Cain.
Please don't blame it on me.
It's nobody's fault,
but it just seems to be his turn.
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Alternate versions
Blame It On Cain (Live 1977) |
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Performed by | Elvis Costello & The Attractions |
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Musicians | Elvis Costello - vocal, guitar Steve Nieve - keyboards Bruce Thomas - bass Pete Thomas - drums |
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Recorded | August 7, 1977, London, England |
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Released | October 14, 1977 |
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Albums | My Aim Is True: Deluxe Edition, 2007 |
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Singles | Watching The Detectives, 1977 |
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Collections | Stiff Box Set No. 2, 1981 Singles, Volume 1, 2003 |
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Length | 2:53 |
|
|
Covers
Template:Elvis Costello covers: Blame It On Cain
Chords
tabbed by zeroy@netcom.com (Roy M. Randall)
G
Once upon a time, I had a little money.
Government burglars took it long before I could mail it to you.
C7
Still you are the only one.
G
Now, I can't let it slip away.
D
So if the man with the ticker tape, he tries to take it,
D7 G
Well, this is what I'm gonna say:
Em7 G
Blame it on Cain. Don't blame it on me.
C D C G
Oh, oh, oh, it's nobody's fault, but we need somebody to burn.
Well, if I was a saint with a silver cup
And the money got low, we could always heat it up or trade it in.
But then the radio that heaven will be wired to your purse.
And then you can run down the wave band, coast to coast, hand in hand.
D7 C
Bad to worse, curse for curse, don't be disatisfied.
D G
So, you're not satisfied.
Em7 G
Blame it on Cain. Don't blame it on me.
C D
Oh, oh, oh, it's nobody's fault,
C G
But we need somebody to burn.
I think I've lived a little too long on the outskirts of town.
I think I'm goin' insane from talking to myself for so long.
Oh, but I never been accused.
When they step upon your face, you wear that good luck grin.
D7
I gotta break out one weekend if I do somebody in.
But ev'ry single time I feel a little stronger,
C D
They tell me it's a crime. Well how much longer?
Em7 G
Blame it on Cain. Don't blame it on me.
C D
Oh, oh, oh, it's nobody's fault,
C G
But we need somebody to burn.
Em7 G
Blame it on Cain. Don't blame it on me.
C D
Oh, oh, oh, it's nobody's fault.
C G
But it just seems to be his turn.
Translation
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