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Books Are Burning

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Aminor

90BPM

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[1st Verse]
Books are Gburning
In the D/F#main square, and I E/G#saw there
The fire eAmating the teD7xt
Books are Gburning
In the D/F#still air
And you E/G#know where they burn books
AmPeople are D7next
[1st Chorus]
EmI beliAeve the printed Fword should be forgG/Fiven
EmDoesn't mAatter what it FsaidG  
EmWisdom hoAtline from the dFead back to the lG/Fiving
BbKey to the F/Alarder for your Cheart and your Dhead
[2nd Verse]
Books are Gburning
In our D/F#own town, watch us E/G#turn 'round
And cast our Amglances elseD7where
Books are Gburning
In the D/F#playground
Smell of E/G#burnt book is not unAmlike human D7hair
[2nd Chorus]
EmAnd I beliAeve the printed Fword is more than G/Fsacred
EmBeyond the gAauge of good or FbaGd
EmThe human rAight to let your sFoul fly free and nGaked
BbAbove the F/Aviolence of the Cfearful and Dsad
[Bridge]
  EThe church of mGatches
   BbAnointing F7ignorance with D7gasoline
  EThe church of mGatches
   BbGrows fat by F7breathing in the Dsus4smoke of dreams
It's D7quite obscene
[3rd Verse]
Books are Gburning
More each D/F#day now, and I E/G#pray now
You boys will Amtire of these D7games
Books are Gburning
I hope D/F#somehow, this will E/G#allow
A phoenix Amup from the D7flames

All chords in this song (16)

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Books Are Burning

by XTC

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D/F#

E/G#

G/F

F/A

Dsus4

[1st Verse]

Books are burning

D/F# E/G#

In the main square, and I saw there

Am D7

The fire eating the text

Books are burning

D/F#

In the still air

E/G#

And you know where they burn books

Am D7

People are next

[1st Chorus]

Em A F G/F

I believe the printed word should be forgiven

Em A F G

Doesn't matter what it said

Em A F G/F

Wisdom hotline from the dead back to the living

Bb F/A C D

Key to the larder for your heart and your head

[2nd Verse]

Books are burning

D/F# E/G#

In our own town, watch us turn 'round

Am D7

And cast our glances elsewhere

Books are burning

D/F#

In the playground

E/G# Am D7

Smell of burnt book is not unlike human hair

[2nd Chorus]

Em A F G/F

And I believe the printed word is more than sacred

Em A F G

Beyond the gauge of good or bad

Em A F G

The human right to let your soul fly free and naked

Bb F/A C D

Above the violence of the fearful and sad

[Bridge]

E G

The church of matches

Bb F7 D7

Anointing ignorance with gasoline

E G

The church of matches

Bb F7 Dsus4

Grows fat by breathing in the smoke of dreams

It's quite obscene

[3rd Verse]

Books are burning

D/F# E/G#

More each day now, and I pray now

Am D7

You boys will tire of these games

Books are burning

D/F# E/G#

I hope somehow, this will allow

Am D7

A phoenix up from the flames

About Books Are Burning Chords by XTC

Learn how to play Books Are Burning by XTC with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Books Are Burning chords”, “Books Are Burning guitar chords”, or “XTC Books Are Burning 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 Books Are Burning chords and for experienced players who want accurate Books Are Burning lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, D/F#, E/G#, Am, D7, Em.

FAQ — Books Are Burning by XTC

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Yes. Tap any chord in "Books Are Burning" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Books Are Burning" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Books Are Burning" by XTC with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by XTC below.

What key is "Books Are Burning" in?

The chords for "Books Are Burning" show the original chord names (including G, D/F#, E/G#, Am, D7, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.