Blame It On Cain

Lyrics - Credits - Discography - Covers - Bootlegs - Chords

Lyrics 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.

Credits Written by: Elvis Costello Produced by: Nick Lowe Musicians: Elvis Costello - vocals, guitar The Shamrocks (a.k.a. Clover): John McFee - guitar, pedal steel Sean Hopper - piano, organ, backing vocals Johnny Ciambotti - bass, backing vocals Mickey Shine - drums Nick Lowe - backing vocals Discography Albums: My Aim Is True, 1977 My Aim Is True (reissue), Rykodisc/Demon, 1993 My Aim Is True (Deluxe Edition), Rhino, 2001 This section may be incomplete. Singles: This section may be incomplete. Collections: 2½ Years, 1993 This section may be incomplete. Alternate Versions: Blame It On Cain (Honky Tonk demo) - recorded in Elvis' bedroom ca. late 1975 My Aim Is True (reissue), Rykodisc/Demon, 1993 My Aim Is True (Deluxe Edition), Rhino, 2001 Blame It On Cain (live at the Nashville Rooms, London 1977-08-07) Watching The Detectives, 1977 Soundtracks: none Various Artists collections: none Covers Recorded by: Alice Wonders, on Mod Tea Diary 2002 The Boondogs, on Roots Pop For Now People EP 2001 Paper or Plastic, on Come Again 2003 This section may be incomplete. Performed by: none This section may be incomplete. Bootlegs This section is incomplete.

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.

Internal links

• Elvis Costello Home Page: My Aim Is True | lyrics | chords | Rykodisc/Demon MAIT reissue info page | Rhino MAIT reissue info page
• Template:Blame It On Cain

External links

• Elvis Costello on Rhino My Aim Is True reissue page