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The Rebel Jesus

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REBEL JESUS   by Jackson Browne   key of D   4/4 time
Intro- D for 4 measures
(verse 1) All the Dstreets are filled with Dlaughter and light
And the Gmusic of the Aseason
And the Dmerchants' windows Dare all bright
With the D/F#faces of the BmchildrenBm  
And the Gfamilies Ahurrying Dto their homes
As the Gsky dAarkens and Dfreezes
We'll be GgatherAing around their Dhearths and tables
Giving D/F#thanks for God's AsusgracesA  
And the Gbirth of the Arebel DJesusD  
(verse 2) Well they Dcall him by the Dprince of peace
And they Gcall him by the Asavior
And they Dpray to him uDpon the seas
And in every D/F#bold enBmdeavor
And they Gfill His Achurches with their Dpride and gold
As their Gfaith in AHim inDcreases
But they've Gturned the Anature that I Dworshipped in
From a D/F#temple to a Asusrobber's denA  
In the Gwords of the Arebel DJesusD  
Instrumental-      D       D      G       A      D     D     D/F#  Bm  
(2)  (2)       (2)  (2)       (2)  (2)      
 G    A    D    G    A   D     G    A    D    D/F#   Asus   A
(2)  (2)      
 G    A    D    D
(verse 3) We Dguard our world with Dlocks and guns
And we Gguard our fine Apossessions
And Donce a year when DChristmas comes
We D/F#give to our reBmlations
And perGhaps we Agive a little Dto the poor
If the GgenerAosity should Dseize us
But if Gany Aone of us should Dinterfere
In the D/F#business of Asuswhy there are Apoor
They get the Gsame as the Arebel DJesusD  
(Quiet)
(verse 4) But Dpardon me if DI have seemed
To Gtake the tone of Ajudgment
For DI've no wish to Dcome between
This D/F#day and your Bmenjoyment
In a Glife of Ahardship and of Dearthly toil
There’s a Gneed for Aanything that Dfrees us
So I Gbid you Apleasure   And I Dbid you cheer
From a D/F#heathen and a AsuspaganA  
On the Gside of the Arebel DJesusD  
Instrumental-      D       D      G       A      D     D     D/F#  Bm  
(2)  (2)       (2)  (2)       (2)  (2)      
 G    A    D    G    A   D     G    A    D    D/F#   Asus   A
(2)  (2)      
 G    A    D    D
(2)  (2)      
 G    A    D

All chords in this song (6)

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The Rebel Jesus

by Jackson Browne

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D/F#

Asus

REBEL JESUS by Jackson Browne key of D 4/4 time

Intro- D for 4 measures

D D

(verse 1) All the streets are filled with laughter and light

G A

And the music of the season

D D

And the merchants' windows are all bright

D/F# Bm Bm

With the faces of the children

G A D

And the families hurrying to their homes

G A D

As the sky darkens and freezes

G A D

We'll be gathering around their hearths and tables

D/F# Asus A

Giving thanks for God's graces

G A D D

And the birth of the rebel Jesus

D D

(verse 2) Well they call him by the prince of peace

G A

And they call him by the savior

D D

And they pray to him upon the seas

D/F# Bm

And in every bold endeavor

G A D

And they fill His churches with their pride and gold

G A D

As their faith in Him increases

G A D

But they've turned the nature that I worshipped in

D/F# Asus A

From a temple to a robber's den

G A D D

In the words of the rebel Jesus

D D G A D D D/F# Bm

Instrumental-

(2) (2) (2) (2) (2) (2)

G A D G A D G A D D/F# Asus A

(2) (2)

G A D D

D D

(verse 3) We guard our world with locks and guns

G A

And we guard our fine possessions

D D

And once a year when Christmas comes

D/F# Bm

We give to our relations

G A D

And perhaps we give a little to the poor

G A D

If the generosity should seize us

G A D

But if any one of us should interfere

D/F# Asus A

In the business of why there are poor

G A D D

They get the same as the rebel Jesus

(Quiet)

D D

(verse 4) But pardon me if I have seemed

G A

To take the tone of judgment

D D

For I've no wish to come between

D/F# Bm

This day and your enjoyment

G A D

In a life of hardship and of earthly toil

G A D

There’s a need for anything that frees us

G A D

So I bid you pleasure And I bid you cheer

D/F# Asus A

From a heathen and a pagan

G A D D

On the side of the rebel Jesus

D D G A D D D/F# Bm

Instrumental-

(2) (2) (2) (2) (2) (2)

G A D G A D G A D D/F# Asus A

(2) (2)

G A D D

(2) (2)

G A D

About The Rebel Jesus Chords by Jackson Browne

Learn how to play The Rebel Jesus by Jackson Browne with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Rebel Jesus chords”, “The Rebel Jesus guitar chords”, or “Jackson Browne The Rebel Jesus 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 Rebel Jesus chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Rebel Jesus lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, A, D/F#, Bm, Asus.

FAQ — The Rebel Jesus by Jackson Browne

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What key is "The Rebel Jesus" in?

The chords for "The Rebel Jesus" show the original chord names (including D, G, A, D/F#, Bm, Asus). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.