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From: Harlan L Thompson
VICTORIA- The Kinks
G D G C G D G
D G
Long ago life was clean
C G
Sex was bad and obscene
D G
And the rich were so mean
D G
Stately homes for the Lords
C G
Croquet lawns, village greens
D G
Victoria was my queen
CHORUS:
G D Em Bm D G
Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, 'toria
I was born, lucky me
In a land that I love
Though I am poor, I am free
When I grow I shall fight
For this land I shall die
Let her sun never set ...CHORUS TWICE
BRIDGE:
Em D
Land of hope and gloria
D C
Land of my Victoria
Em D
Land of hope and gloria
D C
Land of my Victoria
D G
Victoria, toria
SOLO (OVER VERSE CHORDS)
CHORUS (hold the first two "Victoria"s longer)
Canada to India
Australia to Cornwall
Singapore to Hong Kong
>From the West to the East
>From the rich to the poor
Victoria loved them all ...CHORUS
G D Em Bm D G
Victoria, Victoria, Victoria---------
(from Arthur, 1969)
(sent by Harlan at harlant@hawaii.edu)
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Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
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No Picture
James Wanna Be |
#1 by James Pigott at Apr 30, 1970 at 3:19 AM EST |
| I didn't think much of this song until I saw a live version of it. Man it was great live, and it's actually superbly catchy and melodic. I don't think it's particularly sarcastic. I think it really is a love letter to Queen Victoria and the English empire. But that's not a bad thing, I've never found Ray's attitude to come to imperialistic hate-mongering. It's more about being proud of your heritage, feeling nostalgia and fond rememberances for other times. If you look at some of his other lyrics you'll see Ray is hardly a conservative/political shill. He has his own rational beliefs but also loves his country. I wouldn't accuse Lynyrd Skynyrd of being racist rednecks either, all they do is love their homeland, they don't display hate or inclusiveness. Nothing wrong with that. | |
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No Picture
dylan Average |
#2 by dylan pesino at Aug 26, 1970 at 3:31 AM EST |
| I don't really think that the tories as anything to do with the song, but i love this song, the chorus is amazing and particularly like the canada to india..... bit. | |
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No Picture
skater-boy Rhythm Player |
#3 by skater-boy at Jun 18, 1976 at 3:33 PM EST |
| I've always dug "Victoria" but I'd never paid attention to the lyrics. I thought it was just another 'girl's name' song (like Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue", Beach Boys' "Barbara Ann" or the Monkees' "Valleri"). Was I surprised to see it's really about the legacy of British imperialism and the class system. A little research showed "Victoria" is from the Kink's "Arthur, or..." album (intended as score of a TV program that didn't work out, a rock opera that was overshadowed by the Who's "Tommy" ). | |
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No Picture
The Four String Lead Player |
#4 by The Four String Mother Fucker at May 27, 1984 at 6:03 PM EST |
| At first I also thought this was a song about a girl, until I actually listened to the lyrics. When I heard "Canada" and "Singapore" I finally figured out it was about England. I love this song, the guitar is awesome. | |
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No Picture
~Ivy Loves Shav Rhythm Player |
#5 by ~Ivy Loves Shavo~ at Mar 4, 1987 at 4:18 AM EST |
| Yeah, it's basically about the Victorian era in England; croquet lawns, etc. starched collars, everything prim & proper. I love this song. makes me want to dance. | |
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No Picture
kostas Rhythm Player |
#6 by kostas kouveliotis at Sep 10, 2007 at 9:59 AM EST |
| strange that nobody mentioned it yet.. victoria-->'toria--> tories | |
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