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The Trial

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Aminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Ochs plays this with his gutar tuned a half-step down.
   EOutside the cats are scratching
   DmInside the doors are latching
   COn the room, the Fgreedy gloom
   The Dmtrial is Grevealed
   EPolice are six feet deep
   DmWith switchblades in their teeth
   So Cno one leaves and they Fall believe
   This is Dmabsolutely Greal
   Yes, it's Amreal
   And the Sergeant says, "Are you ready, boys?
   Get ready, boys
   Aim...
   And GFire...Am  
   EOrder in the court
   DmPeople ready for the sport
   CThey squirm and squFeak and lick their beaks
   And Dmgrease their Gfeathers down
   EEverybody rise
   DmJudge is here with bathroom eyes
   A GCrizzly bear, he Fhugs his chair
   And tDmhe greedy Ggavel pounds
   Yes, iAmt pounds
   And the Sergeant says, "Are you ready, boys?
   Get ready, boys
   And GFire...Am  
  And Fire...
   EIn the dungeon's falls
   DmWriting appeals upon the wall
   And Cthe priest in pFrayers is not even there
   So prDmecious is Ghis time
   ETo the stake he's tied
   DmThe swallows sing the triggers slide
   he Cbids goodbye to Fthe wattery sky
 that plDmunges from Ghis mind
   From his mind
   And the Sergeant says, "Are you ready, boys?
   Get ready, boys
   Aim...
   And FGire...Am  

All chords in this song (6)

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The Trial

by Phil Ochs

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Ochs plays this with his gutar tuned a half-step down.

Outside the cats are scratching

Inside the doors are latching

C F

On the room, the greedy gloom

Dm G

The trial is revealed

Police are six feet deep

With switchblades in their teeth

C F

So no one leaves and they all believe

Dm G

This is absolutely real

Yes, it's real

And the Sergeant says, "Are you ready, boys?

Get ready, boys

Aim...

G Am

And Fire...

Order in the court

People ready for the sport

C F

They squirm and squeak and lick their beaks

Dm G

And grease their feathers down

Everybody rise

Judge is here with bathroom eyes

C F

A Grizzly bear, he hugs his chair

Dm G

And the greedy gavel pounds

Yes, it pounds

And the Sergeant says, "Are you ready, boys?

Get ready, boys

G Am

And Fire...

In the dungeon's falls

Writing appeals upon the wall

C F

And the priest in prayers is not even there

Dm G

So precious is his time

To the stake he's tied

The swallows sing the triggers slide

C F

he bids goodbye to the wattery sky

Dm G

that plunges from his mind

From his mind

And the Sergeant says, "Are you ready, boys?

Get ready, boys

Aim...

G Am

And Fire...

About The Trial Chords by Phil Ochs

Learn how to play The Trial by Phil Ochs with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Trial chords”, “The Trial guitar chords”, or “Phil Ochs The Trial chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy The Trial chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Trial lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, Dm, C, F, G, Am.

FAQ — The Trial by Phil Ochs

How do I play "The Trial" by Phil Ochs on guitar?

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Can I transpose "The Trial" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "The Trial" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Trial"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Trial" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Trial" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Trial" in?

The chords for "The Trial" show the original chord names (including E, Dm, C, F, G, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.