Biko chords by Peter Gabriel (Official Version)

GuitarPianoUkulele

Intro 1

Verse 1
A 
 (A major) September '77
D/A 
Port E (D/A) lizabeth, weather fine
A 
It was  (A major) business as usual
D/A 
In po (D/A) lice  room 619

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Chorus 1

Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko

Yihla moja, yihla moja

The man is dead, the man is dead

Interlude 1

Verse 2

When I try and sleep at night

I can only dream in red

The outside world is black and white

With only one colour dead

Chorus 2

Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko

Yihla moja, yihla moja

The man is dead, the man is dead

Interlude 2

Verse 3

You can blow out a candle

But you can't blow out a fire

Once the flames begin to catch

The wind will blow it higher

Chorus 3

Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko

Yihla moja, yihla moja

The man is dead, the man is dead

Interlude 3

And the eyes of the world are watching now,

watching now

Outro 1
A 
D/A 
A 
 (A major) Oh, oh,  (D/A) oh-    (A major) 
D/A 
A 
Oh, oh,  (D/A) oh-    (A major) 
D/A 
A 
Oh, oh,  (D/A) oh-    (A major) 
D/A 
A 
Oh, oh,  (D/A) oh-    (A major) 
[Repeat and fade]

1980World

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GuitarPianoUkulele

Tuning: E A D G B EDifficulty: EasyKey: A majorBPM: 90

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Finger positions, low to high (E A D G B e). 0 is open, x is muted.

A: x-0-2-2-2-0
D/A: x-0-4-2-3-x
G/A: x-0-5-4-3-x
B/A: x-0-4-4-4-x

Accurately transcribed by the GuitarTuna team.

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This is the definitive original version of Biko by Peter Gabriel, transcribed exactly as it was recorded in the studio. Unlike our simplified arrangement, this chart preserves the precise chord voicings and progressions in the original key of A major. It suits players who want to learn Biko the way Peter Gabriel intended, without oversimplifying the arrangement.