Gordon Lightfoot
BLACK DAY IN JULY
Em D Em D G Em
Black day in July, motor city madness has touched the countryside
C Em C Em
And through the smoke and cinders, you can hear it far and wide
C Em C Em
The doors are quickly bolted and the children locked inside
D Em
Black day in July.
Em D Em D G Em
Black day in July, and the soul of Motor City is bared across the land
C Em C Em
As the book of law and order is taken in the hands
C Em C Em
Of the sons of the fathers who were carried to this land
D Em
Black day in July.
Em D Em D G
Black day in July, in the streets of Motor City there is a deadly silent
Em
sound
C Em C Em
And the body of a dead youth, lies stretched upon the ground
C Em C Em
Upon the filthy pavement no reason can be found
D Em
Black day in July.
Em D Em D G Em
Black day in July, Motor City madness has touched the countryside
C Em C Em
And the people rise in anger and the streets begin to fill
C Em C Em
And there's gunfire from the rooftops and the blood begins to spill
D Em
Black day in July.
Interlude #1:
Em G
In the mansion of the governor
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There's nothing that is known for sure
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The telephone is ringing
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And the pendulum is swinging
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And they wonder how it happened
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And they really know the reason
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And it wasn't just the temperature
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And it wasn't just the season
D Em
Black day in July.
Em D Em D G Em
Black day in July, Motor City's burning and the flames are running wild
C Em C Em
They reflect upon the waters of the river and the lake
C Em C Em
And everyone is listening and everyone's awake
D Em
Black day in July.
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Black day in July, the printing press is turning and the news is quickly
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flashed
C Em C Em
And you read your morning paper and you sip your cup of tea
C Em C Em
And you wonder just in passing is it him or is it me
D Em
Black day in July.
Interlude #2:
Em G
In the office of the President
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The deed is done the troops are sent
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There's really not much choice you see
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It looks to us like anarchy
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And then the tanks go rolling in
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To patch things up as best they can
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There is no time to hesitate
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The speech is made the dues can wait
D Em
Black day in July.
Em D Em D G Em
Black day in July, the streets of Motor City now are quiet and serene
C Em C Em
But the shapes of gutted buildings strike terror to the heart
C Em C Em
And you say how did it happen and you say how did it start
C Em C Em
Why can't we all be brothers, why can't we live in peace
C Em C Em
But the hands of the have-nots keep falling out of reach
D Em
Black day in July.
Em D Em D
Black day in July, black day in July.
