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What It Is

by Mark Knopfler · posted by mrLof

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How to read this tab — notation key
+
Blow note
−
Draw note
b or '
Half-step bend
bb or ''
Two half-step bend
bbb or '''
Three half-step bend
(###)
Chord — relevant hole numbers in parentheses
< or *
Push the button in (chromatic harmonica)

Full reference and posting tips in the tab guide.

Tab
Mark Knopfler – What It Is

Intro
-6   -6 -6 6 5   -6  6 5    6  -6   6 
-6   -6 -6 6 5   -6  6 5    -4  4  -4
-6   -6 -6 6 5   -6  6 5    7  -6   6 
-6   -6 -6 6 5   -6  6 5    -4   4  -4     -3”  

Verse
-3” 
 The drinking dens are spilling out
-3”                       -2       2 
There's staggering in the square
-3”
There's lads and lasses falling about
-3”                 -3”  -2  2
And a crackling in the air
-3” 
Down around the dungeon doors
-3”                 -3”  -2  2
The shelters and the queues
-3” 
Everybody's looking for
-3”                 -3”  -2  2
Somebody's arms to fall into

or

-6
 The drinking dens are spilling out
-6               -6   6       5 
There's staggering in the square
-6
There's lads and lasses falling about
-6                  -6    6       5 
And a crackling in the air
-6
Down around the dungeon doors
-6                    -6  6       5 
The shelters and the queues
-6 
Everybody's looking for
-6                  -6 6       5 
Somebody's arms to fall into

Chorus
-1        -1   -1  1
That's what it is
2     2   -2  -3”  1
It's what it  is  now

or

-4        -4   -4  4
That's what it is
5     5   6  -6  4
It's what it  is  now


Verse

Bridge
-3”
And it's cold on the tollgate
-3”            -3”       -2           2
With the wagons creeping through
-3”
Cold on the tollgate
-3”    -2       -2  -2   2    2   -1   -1   
God knows what I could do with you

or 

-6
And it's cold on the tollgate
-6            -6        6           5
With the wagons creeping through
-6
Cold on the tollgate
-6     6       6   6  5    5   -4   -4   
God knows what I could do with you

Chorus

Verse (this one is slightly different)
-3”
The garrison sleeps in the citadel
-3”                          -3”   -2    2
With the ghosts and the ancient stones
-3”
High on the parapet
-3”                 -3”  -2  2
A Scottish piper stands alone
-3”
And high on the wind
-3”     -3          4       -3    -3”  -3      
The highland drums begin to roll
-3”
And something from the past just comes
-3”               -3”  -2  2
And stares into my soul

or

-6
The garrison sleeps in the citadel
-6                          -6   6   5
With the ghosts and the ancient stones
-6
High on the parapet
-6                          -6   6   5
A Scottish piper stands alone
-6
And high on the wind
-6        -7         7         -7      -6  -7   
The highland drums begin to roll
-6
And something from the past just comes
-6               -6  6  5
And stares into my soul

Bridge 

Chorus

Guitar Solo

Verse 

Chorus

Outtro (same as intro)
Play on a harmonica— watch which holes to blow & draw, with sound

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