Queen - Great King Rat: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "Great King Rat" on your guitar with our chord guide. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.

Am
Great king rat died today
G
Born on the twenty first of may
 E                                    Am
Died syphilis forty four on his birthday
Am
Every second word he swore
G
Yes he was the son of a whore
E                     Am
Always wanted by the law

Chorus:
C
Wouldn't you like to know?
Em                          C
Wouldn't you like to know, people?
  D
Great King Rat was a dirty old man
And a dirty old man was he
      C         G
Now what did I tell you
Am                 D
Would you like to see?

Now hear this
Where will I be tomorrow?
Will I beg? Will I borrow?
I don't care, I don't care anyway
Come on, come on, the time is right
The man is evil and that is right
I told you (Ah, yes, I told you)
And that's no lie (Oh, no, no)

Chorus:
Wouldn't you like to know?
Wouldn't you like to know?
Wouldn't you like to know?
Great King Rat was a dirty old man
And a dirty old man was he
Now what did I tell you?
Would you like to see?
Show me

Wouldn't you like to know?
Wouldn't you like to know, people? (People)
Great King Rat was a dirty old man
And a dirty old man was he
Now what did I tell you?
Would you like to see?
(Hit it!)

D                   G
Now listen all you people
D                              G
Put out the good and keep the bad
D                      G           A    D
Don't believe all you read in the bible
A                   D
You sinners get in line
A                       D
Saints you leave far behind
A                          A      D
Very soon you're gonna be his disciple

Don't listen to what Mama says
Not a word, not a word Mama says
Or else you'll find yourself being the rival
The great Lord before he died
Knelt sinners by his side and said
A                                   G
And said you're going to realize tomorrow

No, I'm not gonna tell you
What you already know
'Cause time and time again
The old man said it all a long time ago
Come, come on, the time is right
This evil man will fight
I told you once before

Chorus:
Wouldn't you like to know?
Wouldn't you like to know?
Just like I said before
Great King Rat was a dirty old man
And a dirty old man was he
The last time I tell you
Would you like to see?

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Guitar Chord Diagrams

A

Guitar chord A

Am

Guitar chord Am

C

Guitar chord C

D

Guitar chord D

E

Guitar chord E

Em

Guitar chord Em

G

Guitar chord G

Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably.

If you are also interested in learning how to play "Great King Rat" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Great King Rat" by Queen.

Queen Song List