Now playing

The Word Justice

Chords

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Bminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
A Bm
A Bm Bm
A Bm
 A       Bmx2
[Verse]
AA man sBmtands up before his AGod and BmcountBmry
ARaises his Bmright hand and tAakes an BmoathBm  
ASwears he has Bmacted in the lAine of BmdutyBm  
AAnd he more tBmhan anyone wants tAo tell thBme truBmth
[Chorus]
GBut there is a need to keep soBmmethings a sAecret
GSome weapons shipments, some pBmrivate waArs
GIn the future democracy will bBme defendedA  
ABehind closeBmd doorBms
[Verse]
ANow the men oBmf Congress who conveAne to deBmtermiBmne
AIf coveBmrt war is a business Aor a crBmimeBm  
AAre the Bmsame men who routinely giAve their BmpermBmission
AFor the Bmshedding of blood in AsecurityBm's naBmme
[Chorus]
GAnd there is a need to keep soBmme things a sAecret
GThe names of some countries, tBmhe terms of Asome deals
GAnd above all the sound of the Bmscreams of Athe innocent
ABeneath our BmwheeBmlsA  Bm  Bm  
[Bridge]
G#mDoes the word justice mean anything to you?
EAre the features of a lie beF#mginning to come through?
[Solo Chords]
A Bm
A Bm Bm
A Bm
A Bm
[Verse]
AIn the streetBms of America the chiAldren arBme burBmied
ACaught in an Bmavalanche of weapons Aand druBmgsBm  
AThey live and Bmthey die in the bowAels of a BmbusiBmness
AThat disguiseBmd as a war between TAhe Crips Bmand BmThe Bloods
[Chorus]
GAnd there is a need to keep soBmme things a sAecret
GThe C.I.A. deals protectiBmng the sourceA  
GAnd the government policies directly coBmnnectAing 
AThe drugs anBmd ouBmr warsA  Bm  Bm  
[Bridge]
G#mDoes the word justice mean anything to you?
EAs the battlefield comes homF#me and democracy falls through
A Bm
A Bm Bm
[Verse]
DI am waiting fGor the tCime to cDome
DWhen the word will bGe real fCor everyoneD  
DAnd not just a word bGut a thing tChat can be Bmdone
GJustAicBme must be won
A Bm
A Bm Bm
[Outro]
AOhBm, oh, oh justice
AJuBmstice
AJuBmstice
AOhBm, oBmh, oh justice
AJuBmstiBmce
E
A Bm Bm

All chords in this song (8)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

The Word Justice

by Jackson Browne

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

G#m

F#m

[Intro]

A Bm

A Bm Bm

A Bm

[Verse]

A Bm A Bm Bm

A man stands up before his God and country

A Bm A Bm Bm

Raises his right hand and takes an oath

A Bm A Bm Bm

Swears he has acted in the line of duty

A Bm A Bm Bm

And he more than anyone wants to tell the truth

[Chorus]

G Bm A

But there is a need to keep somethings a secret

G Bm A

Some weapons shipments, some private wars

G Bm A

In the future democracy will be defended

A Bm Bm

Behind closed doors

[Verse]

A Bm A Bm Bm

Now the men of Congress who convene to determine

A Bm A Bm Bm

If covert war is a business or a crime

A Bm A Bm Bm

Are the same men who routinely give their permission

A Bm A Bm Bm

For the shedding of blood in security's name

[Chorus]

G Bm A

And there is a need to keep some things a secret

G Bm A

The names of some countries, the terms of some deals

G Bm A

And above all the sound of the screams of the innocent

A Bm Bm A Bm Bm

Beneath our wheels

[Bridge]

G#m

Does the word justice mean anything to you?

E F#m

Are the features of a lie beginning to come through?

[Solo Chords]

A Bm

A Bm Bm

A Bm

[Verse]

A Bm A Bm Bm

In the streets of America the children are buried

A Bm A Bm Bm

Caught in an avalanche of weapons and drugs

A Bm A Bm Bm

They live and they die in the bowels of a business

A Bm A Bm Bm

That disguised as a war between The Crips and The Bloods

[Chorus]

G Bm A

And there is a need to keep some things a secret

G Bm A

The C.I.A. deals protecting the source

G Bm A

And the government policies directly connecting

A Bm Bm A Bm Bm

The drugs and our wars

[Bridge]

G#m

Does the word justice mean anything to you?

E F#m

As the battlefield comes home and democracy falls through

A Bm

A Bm Bm

[Verse]

D G C D

I am waiting for the time to come

D G C D

When the word will be real for everyone

D G C Bm

And not just a word but a thing that can be done

G A Bm

Justice must be won

A Bm

A Bm Bm

[Outro]

A Bm

Oh, oh, oh justice

A Bm

Justice

A Bm

Justice

A Bm Bm

Oh, oh, oh justice

A Bm Bm

Justice

A Bm Bm

About The Word Justice Chords by Jackson Browne

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

FAQ — The Word Justice by Jackson Browne

How do I play "The Word Justice" by Jackson Browne on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Word Justice" by Jackson Browne on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "The Word Justice" by Jackson Browne free?

Yes. The chords for "The Word Justice" by Jackson Browne are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Word Justice" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Word Justice"?

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

Is "The Word Justice" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Word Justice" by Jackson Browne with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Jackson Browne below.

What key is "The Word Justice" in?

The chords for "The Word Justice" show the original chord names (including A, Bm, G, G#m, E, F#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.