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Manzanar

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Gmajor

90BPM

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Tom Russell - Manzanar
Capo: 3rd Fret
[Intro]
G
[Verse 1]
He said, my name is Nakashima
And I'm a Cproud AmeriGcan
I came Chere in '2G4
From my Amhomeland in JaDpan
[Verse 2]
And I Gpicked your grapes and oranges
Saved some Cmoney, bought a Gstore
Until CNineteen Forty-GTwo
Pearl AmHarbour and the Dwar
[Verse 3]
Came thGose relocation orders
They took our Chouse, the store, the Gcar
Then they Cdrove us to the Gdesert
To a Amplace called ManzaDnar
[Verse 4]
The SpaGnish word for "apple orchard"
Though we Csaw no apple Gtrees
Only Crows of prison Gbarracks
With Ambarbed wire boundaDries
[Chorus]
N.C.                 C  G  
And we dream of apple blossoms
Waving Cfree beneath the Dstars
Till we Cwake up in the Gdesert
The prisoAmners of ManzaDnar
ManzaGnar
[Verse 5]
Fifty years, they've all but vanished
And now CI am an old Gman
And I Cdon't regret the Gday
That I Amcame here from JaDpan
[Verse 6]
But on Gmoonlit winter nights
I often Cwish upon a Gstar
That I'd forCget the shame and Gsorrow
That I Amfelt at ManzaDnar
[Chorus]
N.C.                 C  G  
And we dream of apple blossoms
Waving Cfree beneath the Dstars
Till we Cwake up in the Gdesert
The prisoAmners of ManzaDnar
ManzaGnar
[Outro]
C  G  C  D  C  G  Am
ManzaDnar
ManzaGnar

All chords in this song (4)

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Manzanar

by Tom Russell

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 3 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Tom Russell - Manzanar

Capo: 3rd Fret

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

He said, my name is Nakashima

C G

And I'm a proud American

C G

I came here in '24

Am D

From my homeland in Japan

[Verse 2]

And I picked your grapes and oranges

C G

Saved some money, bought a store

C G

Until Nineteen Forty-Two

Am D

Pearl Harbour and the war

[Verse 3]

Came those relocation orders

C G

They took our house, the store, the car

C G

Then they drove us to the desert

Am D

To a place called Manzanar

[Verse 4]

The Spanish word for "apple orchard"

C G

Though we saw no apple trees

C G

Only rows of prison barracks

Am D

With barbed wire boundaries

[Chorus]

C G

N.C.

And we dream of apple blossoms

C D

Waving free beneath the stars

C G

Till we wake up in the desert

Am D

The prisoners of Manzanar

Manzanar

[Verse 5]

Fifty years, they've all but vanished

C G

And now I am an old man

C G

And I don't regret the day

Am D

That I came here from Japan

[Verse 6]

But on moonlit winter nights

C G

I often wish upon a star

C G

That I'd forget the shame and sorrow

Am D

That I felt at Manzanar

[Chorus]

C G

N.C.

And we dream of apple blossoms

C D

Waving free beneath the stars

C G

Till we wake up in the desert

Am D

The prisoners of Manzanar

Manzanar

[Outro]

C G C D C G Am

Manzanar

About Manzanar Chords by Tom Russell

Learn how to play Manzanar by Tom Russell with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Manzanar chords”, “Manzanar guitar chords”, or “Tom Russell Manzanar 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 Manzanar chords and for experienced players who want accurate Manzanar lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, Am, D.

FAQ — Manzanar by Tom Russell

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Is "Manzanar" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Manzanar" in?

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