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Be Prepared

The Lion King

Be Prepared
Elton John / Tim Rice

Am
(spoken)
                  Dm
I never thought hyenas essential
          G           Am
They're crude and unspeakably plain
                      Dm
But maybe they've a glimmer of potential
                 Bdim        E
If allied to my vision and brain

Am - Dm

(sung)
  Am			     Dm
I know that your powers of retention
       Em                    Am
Are as wet as a warthog's backside
			    Dm
But thick as you are, pay attention
   Em                     Am
My words are a matter of pride
     Cm			       Am
It's clear from your vacant expressions
    Cm			     Am
The lights are not all on upstairs
           G                    C
But we're talking kings and successions
     Bdim                   E7
Even you can't be caught unawares

      Am		     Dm
So prepare for a chance of a lifetime
     G			     C
Be prepared for sensational news
  Em          Am
A shining new era
    Dm        G
Is tiptoeing nearer
     Em          Am
And where do we feature?
      Dm        G
Just listen to teacher
  C
I know it sounds sordid
    C/Bb
But you'll be rewarded
        A7                 Dm
When at last I am given my dues
    Bdim		    E7
And injustice deliciously squared
      Am
Be prepared

(spoken)
F		    Am
Yeah, be prepared, we'll be prepared
Dm
For what?

For the death of the king
Em
Why is he sick?
                     Am
No fool, we're gonna kill him and Simba too

Great idea, who needs a king?
Dm                   Em
No king, no king, la-la-la-la-la-la
              Am
Idiots, there will be a king

Eh, but you said
Cm
I will be king
Am		  Cm            Am
Stick with me and you'll never go hungry again
G			C
Yay, (alright) alright, long live the king
Bdim
Long live the king
E7
Long live the king

(sung)
     Am                          Dm
It's great that we'll soon be connected
       Em			 Am
With a king who'll be all-time adored
				   Dm
Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected
   Em			   Dm
To take certain duties on board
    Cm			      Am
The future is littered with prizes
     Cm 		   Am
And though I'm the main addressee
     G			    C
The point that I must emphasize is
    Bdim		      E7
You won't get a sniff without me

      Am			Dm
So prepare for the coup of the century
      G			       C
Be prepared for the murkiest scam
 Em          Am
Meticulous planning
  Dm       G
Tenacity spanning
  Em          Am
Decades of denial
   Dm         Am
Is simply why I'll
   C
Be king undisputed
   C/Bb
Respected, saluted
    A7			  Dm
And seen for the wonder I am
        Bdim			 E7
Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared
       Am	F
Be prepared
         Bdim			  E7
Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared
      Am	F - Am
Be prepared