Arthur

Written by: Ray Davies

Published by: Hill & Range Songs BMI

Chord file

Lyrics:

Arthur was born just a plain simple man
In a plain simple working class position
Though the world was hard and its ways were set
He was young and he had so much ambition
All the way he was overtaken
By the people who make the big decisions
But he tried and he tried for a better life
And a way to improve his own condition
If only life were easy it would be such fun
Things would be more equal and be plenty for everyone
Arthur the world's gone and passed you by
Don't you know it, don't you know it
You can cry, cry all night but it won't make it right
Don't ya know it, don't ya know it

Arthur we know and we sympathize
Don't ya know it, don't ya know it
Arthur we like you and want to help you
Somebody loves you don't you know it

How is your life and your Shangri-la
And your long lost land of Hallelujah
And your hope and glory has passed you by
Can't you see what the world is doing to ya
And now we see your children
Sailing off in the setting sun
To a new horizon
Where there's plenty for everyone
Arthur, could be
That the world was wrong
Don't ya know it, don't ya know it
Arthur, could be
You were right all along
Don't ya know it, I hope ya know it
Now we know and we sympathize
We'd like to help you and understand you
Don't ya know it, don't ya know it
Somebody loves you, don't ya know it
Don't ya know it, don't ya know it

Arthur the world's gone and passed you by
Don't ya know it, don't ya know it
You can cry, cry all night
But it won't make it right
Don't ya know it, don't ya know it
Arthur we read you and understand you
Arthur we like you and want to help you
Oh! we love you and want to help you

This song can be found on the following releases:

stereo mix (5:26), recorded May-Jun 1969, remixed Jul 1969 at Pye Studios (No. 2), London
Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire 10 Oct, 1969 UK Pye NSPL 18317 12" vinyl LP (album), 33 1/3 RPM
Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire 10 Oct, 1969 USA Reprise RS 6366 12" vinyl LP (album), 33 1/3 RPM
Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire Jan 1987 UK PRT CDMP 8835 CD
Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire 15 May, 1990 USA Reprise RS 6366-2 CD
Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire 25 May, 1998 UK Essential/Castle Communications ESM CD 511 CD
Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire 27 Sep, 2004 UK Sanctuary Midline SMRCD062 CD
Picture Book 8 Dec, 2008 UK Universal/Sanctuary 5313049 Multi CD box set
Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire (Deluxe Edition) 20 Jun, 2011 UK Sanctuary Records/Universal Music 273 227-4 2 CD set

mono mix (5:26), recorded May-Jun 1969, remixed Jul 1969 at Pye Studios (No. 2), London
Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire 10 Oct, 1969 UK Pye NPL 18317 12" vinyl LP (album), 33 1/3 RPM
Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire 17 Sep, 2001 UK Castle Music/Sanctuary CMTCD322 CD
The Pye Album Collection 25 Apr 2005 UK Castle Music/Sanctuary Records Group CMXBX 1125 Multi CD box set
Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire (Deluxe Edition) 20 Jun, 2011 UK Sanctuary Records/Universal Music 273 227-4 2 CD set
The Kinks In Mono 21 Nov, 2011 UK Sanctuary/Universal Music 602527769448 Multi CD box set

mono mix, with BBC overdubs (3:17), recorded May-Jun 1969, overdubbed 18 Dec, 1969 at Pye Studios (No. 2), London; overdubs at Camden Theatre, London
Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire (Deluxe Edition) 20 Jun, 2011 UK Sanctuary Records/Universal Music 273 227-4 2 CD set
The Kinks At The BBC - Radio & TV Sessions And Concerts: 1964-1994 13 Aug 2012 UK Sanctuary Records/Universal Music 279 721-8 Multi CD box set

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E-mail Dave Emlen