A Three-Pipe Problem
Lyrics © 2002, by William A. Barton
(To the Tune of “Little Brown Jug”)
(Duo version: W = Watson; H = Holmes; B = Both)
G G C
W: Well, I share rooms with Sherlock Holmes,
D G
A flat in Baker Street:
G C
H: 2-2-1-B, that famed address—
D G
It’s comfy and discreet!
G C
W: Holmes battles crimes, solves mysteries,
D G
Those in peril come to him.
G C
H: I solve the case, be it quite mundane
D G
Or a Three-Pipe Prob-e-lem!
G C
B: It’s a Three-Pipe Problem, (H:) yes, I see—
D G
H: It’s all so element-a-ry . . .
G C
W: To Sherlock Holmes, but not to me.
D G
H: That’s John H. Watson, M.D.
(Guitar Riff)
G C
W: Whether Speckled Band or Yellow Face,
D G
You know that Holmes is on the case.
G C
H: No Baskerville Hound can get me down—
D G
‘Gainst Silver Blaze, I’d win the race!
G C
H: No, not Moriarty nor Colonel Moran
D G
Can get the best of me!
G C
W: Holmes always prevails, though the villain rails
D G
At his Three-Pipe Prob-e-lem!
G C
H: So a Three-Pipe Problem, you should see,
D G
Is all so element-a-ry . . .
G C
W: To Sherlock Holmes, but not to me . . .
D G
I’m John H. Watson, M.D.
(Guitar Riff)
G C
W: Well, I tend to see, but I don’t observe,
D G
Or so Holmes says to me.
G C
H: But he’s always faithful, he’s the perfect foil
D G
W: To the best sleuth there’ll ever be!
G C
W: I’m Holmes’ chronicler, his confident,
D G
H: He’s a friend to the bitter end.
G C
W: I record his adventures, whether short and sweet,
D G
B: Or a Three-Pipe Prob-e-lem!
G C
B: Yes, a Three-Pipe Problem, (W:) by Jove—I see!
D G
H: It’s really element-a-ry . . .!
G C (and pause)
W: To Sherlock Holmes . . .(sigh) but still not to me . . .
H: (Spoken: But that’s quite all right, my dear fellow!)
D G
W: (Spoken: Yes, Holmes, it is, because . . .) I’m John H. Watson, M.D.!
(Closing Guitar Riff . .
. and out)
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