The Velvet Underground - Lady Godiva's Operation: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "Lady Godiva's Operation" 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.

D
Lady Godiva, dressed so demurely,
                                       C
Pats the head of another curly-haired boy,
              D
Just another toy.
D
Sick with silence, she weeps sincerely,
                                           C
Saying words that have oh so clearly been said
          D
So long ago.

Draperies wrapped gently 'round her shoulder
Life has made her that much bolder now
That she's found out how

Dressed in silk, latin lace and envy
Pride and joy of the latest penny fare
Pretty passing care

Hair today now dipped in the water
Making love to every poor daughter's son
Isn't it fun?

Now, today, propping grace with envy
Lady Godiva peers to see if anyone's there
And hasn't a care

Doctor is coming the nurse thinks sweetly!
Turning on the machines that neatly pump air!
The body lies bare

Shaved and hairless what once was screaming!
Now lies silent and almost sleeping
The brain must have gone away

Strapped securely to the white table
Ether caused the body to wither and writhe
Underneath the white light

Doctor arrives with knife and baggage
Sees the growth as just so much cabbage
That must now be cut away

Now come the moment of Great! Great! Decision!
The doctor is making his first incision

One goes here one goes there
"The ether tube's leaking,"
says someone who's sloppy

The patient, it seems, is not so well sleeping
The screams echo up the hall
Don't panic, someone give him pentothol instantly
Doctor removes his blade

Cagily slow from the brain
By my count of ten--
The head won't move

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Guitar Chord Diagrams

C

Guitar chord C

D

Guitar chord D

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 "Lady Godiva's Operation" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Lady Godiva's Operation" by The Velvet Underground.