C     G
96 degrees 
       Am
in the shade 
C       G
real hot 
       Am
in the shade 

            Am                G
said it was 96 degrees in the shade 
Am                       G
ten thousand soldiers on parade
Am                       G
taking i and i to meet a big fat boy 
Am
sent from overseas 
    G      
the queen employ
Am 
excellency before you i come 
        G
with my representation 
                   Am            G
you know where i'm coming from
    Am 
you caught me on the loose 
fighting to be free 
        G
now you show me a noose 
on the cotton tree 
     Am 
entertainment for you 
       G
martyrdom for me 

C    G            Am 
96 degrees in the shade 
C       G       Am  
real hot in the shade 

like the verse:
some may suffer and some may burn 
but i know that one day my people will learn 
as sure as the sun shines, way up in the sky 
today i stand here a victim the truth is i'll never die 

96 degrees in the shade 
real hot in the shade