Morrissey - The Teachers Are Afraid Chords & Tabs

#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the #
#song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research. #
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Date: Fri, 13 Oct 95 21:23:20 EDT
From: Winston Campbell 
Subject: THE TEACHERS ARE AFRAID OF THE PUPILS by Morrissey


What can I say about this.  I think, pretty sure, that the violin riff that
plays out through the whole eleven minutes of the song can be played as
(although a several violins would be much better) is:

E ---6------4----------3------2--------|
B ------------------------------4------|
G -7----------6------5-----------------|
D -------------------------------------|
A -------------------------------------|
E -------------------------------------|

The weird thing about this song is that there are many extemporaneous guitar
parts and that violin line keeps repeating.  Now, what makes this song
interesting is the underlying droning bass and the song~s mood swings.  I am
not sure what chords are being played as opposed to them being major or
minor.  It is all trivial to me.  So keep in mind that my transcription (the
chords on top of the words) are merely which note the bass would play.  You
can play them chord wise (of course), but if you do I suggest you play them
in a power-chord way, especially after the first -to be finished would be a
relief- part, where the song goes to a new rocking height (you
know what I mean).  So here we go:


Intro:  Bb    Db     C       B    (played six times)   Bb

        G           F#         A
there~s too many people
G             Eb        B      Bb
planning your downfall
          G           F#         A
when your spirit~s on trial
      G                    Eb      B    Bb
these nights can be frightening

Bb               Db       C
sleep transports sadness
                       B   Bb
to some other mid-brain
    Bb        Db
and somebody here
     C                    B      Bb
will not be here next year

       G            F#            A
so you stand by the board
        G           Eb      B     Bb
full of fear and intention
           G                   F#
and if you think that they~re listening
     A         G            Eb      B     Bb
well...you~ve got to be joking

       Bb         Db
oh you understand change
   C                     B
and you think it~s essential
                 Bb         G        F#        A     G      Eb       B
but when your profession is humiliation

        Bb         G       F#
say the wrong words to our children
       A
we~ll have you
   G          Eb       B
oh yes, we~ll have you
      Bb           Db
lay a hand on our children
         C                  B         Bb
and it~s never too late to have you

Bb             Db         C
mucous on your collar
                       B           Bb
a nail up through the staff chair
   G            F#            A
a blade in your soap pan
    G              Eb
you cry into your pillow
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/m/morrissey/the_teachers_are_afraid_tab.html ]
B     Bb             G      F#
to be finished would be a relief
      A              G      Eb
to be finished would be a relief
B     Bb                    Db
to be finished would be a relief
      C                     B
to be finished would be a relief
      Bb                    Db
to be finished would be a relief
      C                     B
to be finished would be a relief


(my favourite part of the song...where it all begins to make sense)

Bb    G    F#     F#     A    G    Eb    B
Bb    G    F#     F#     A    G    Eb    B
Bb         Db            C         B
Bb         Db            C         B
Bb    G    F#     F#     A    G    Eb    B
Bb    G    F#     F#     A    G    Eb    B
Bb         Db            C         B
Bb         Db            C         B


Okay, that guitar riff (which is repeated six times) is played with the Bb,
Db, C, B bass parts.  About now you should get the whole gist of the song (it
really has two parts to it).  The guitar riff is:

   Bb                Db                C                    B

E ---------6-------|---------6-------|-----------8--------|---------7-------|
B -------6---6-----|-------6---6-----|---------8---8------|-------7---7-----|
G ---7-8-------8-7-|---6-8-------8-6-|----9-10-------10-9-|---8-9-------9-8-|
D -8---------------|-8---------------|-10-----------------|-9---------------|
A -----------------|-----------------|--------------------|-----------------|
E -----------------|-----------------|--------------------|-----------------|


After that the following thing is played (again):

Bb    G    F#     F#     A    G    Eb    B
Bb    G    F#     F#     A    G    Eb    B
Bb         Db            C         B

        Bb         G       F#
say the wrong words to our children
       A
we~ll have you
   G          Eb
oh yes, we~ll have you
B     Bb     G     F#
lay a hand on our children
         A         G       Eb        B
and it~s never too late to have you

      Bb                  Db
to be finished would be a relief
      C                     B
to be finished would be a relief
      Bb                    Db
to be finished would be a relief
      C                     B
to be finished would be a relief
      Bb             G      F#
to be finished would be a relief
      A              G           Eb    B
to be finished would be a relief

Bb    G    F#     F#     A    G    Eb    B
Bb    G    F#     F#     A    G    Eb    B
Bb         Db            C         B
Bb         Db            C         B


The bass and everything fades and that lovely orchestra thing comes in and
everything sort of fades from there.  You have to escuse my over transcribing
everything.  I do not know.  Aah, please, if you have any comments,
criticisms, or just want to shoot the bull right between the eyes, just email
me.  I will be greatly appreciated.  Bye-bye...