Tony Bennett's version from the original 1954 recording. The first verse is a monologue.
In the original the guitar plays a number of fills, however, the same chords used
throughout the song can be substituted to a close approximation by simply playing the chords
slowly and holding them until the next chord.
The C#m7-5 is an uncommon chord, but is easily fingered as follows.
C#m7-5 x-4-2-0-0-0
Also note that these Em7 shapes(0-2-0-0-0-0) & (0-2-2-0-3-0) are used throughout the song. Ultimate
Guitar does not seem to easily allow me to distinguish between the two shapes and where they are used,
but use the second fingering shown above to begin each verse, and use the first shape to begin each chorus,
and at the ending of each verse. Use the G(x-5-5-4-3-x) and Gm(x-5-5-3-3-x) shapes. Finally,
to end it, just play single strums on the C9(x-3-2-3-3-x), C#9(x-4-3-4-4-x)and D9(x-5-4-5-5-x) and hold
the last chord to end it.
Verse 1
[Em7] [A7] [D] [B7]
Folks are blessed, who make the best, of everyday
[C#m7-5] [F#7] [Bm] [D7]
Living by their own philosophy
[G] [Gm] [D] [Bm7]
Everyone beneath the sun must find a way
[E7] [Em7] [A7]
And I have found the only way for me
Verse 2
[Em7] [A7] [D] [B7]
I don't believe in frettin' and grievin'
[C#m7-5] [F#7] [Bm] [D7]
Why mess around with strife?
[G] [Gm] [D] [Bm7]
I never was cut out to step and strut out
[E7] [Em7] [A7]
Give me the simple life
Verse 3
[Em7] [A7] [D] [B7]
Some find it pleasant dining on pheasant
[C#m7-5] [F#7] [Bm] [D7]
Those things roll off my knife
[G] [Gm] [D] [Bm7]
Just serve me tomatoes; and mashed potatoes
[E7] [A7] [D]
Give me the simple life
Chorus
[Em7] [A7] [D]
Now, a cottage small is all I'm after
[Em7] [A7] [D]
Not one that's spacious and wide
[C#m7-5] [F#7] [Bm]
A house that rings with joy and laughter
[E7] [Em7] [A7]
And the ones that you love inside
Verse 4
[Em7] [A7] [D] [B7]
Some like the high road, I like the low road
[C#m7-5] [F#7] [Bm] [D7]
Free from the care and strife
[G] [Gm] [D] [Bm7]
Sounds corny and seedy, but yes, indeed-y
[E7] [A7] [D]
Give me the simple life
Instrumental
[Em7] [A7] [D] [B7] [C#m7-5] [F#7] [Bm] [D7] [G] [Gm] [D] [Bm7] [E7] [A7]
[Em7] [A7] [D] [B7] [C#m7-5] [F#7] [Bm] [D7] [G] [Gm] [D] [Bm7] [E7] [A7]
Chorus
[Em7] [A7] [D]
I greet the dawn when I awaken
[Em7] [A7] [D]
The sky is clear up above
[C#m7-5] [F#7] [Bm]
I like my scrambled eggs and bacon
[E7] [Em7] [A7]
Served by someone that I love
Verse 5
[Em7] [A7] [D] [B7]
Life could be thrilling, with one who's willing
[C#m7-5] [F#7] [Bm] [D7]
To be a farmer's wife
[G] [Gm] [D] [Bm7]
Kids callin' me pappy, would make me so happy
[E7] [A7] [D]
Give me the simple life
[E7] [A7] [D]
Give me the simple life
[E7] [A7] [D] [C9] [C#9] [D9]
Give me the simple life
