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Goodbye Joe Hill

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A song dedicated to Joe Hill , the great social shaker and songwriter killed by the State of Utah in 1915,
Tom Joad , the protagonist of "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck,
Gene Debs (1855-1926), historical leader of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)
and Ammon Hennacy (1893-1970), a pacifist and anarchist Christian who was the founder of the "Joe Hill House",
home of the Catholic Worker Movement in Salt Lake City
[Verse 1]
EGoodbye, Joe Hill, we've had some good times Bhere.
I wish you could stay around for Ejust another year.
But the battle line keeps movin' and AI know that you can't stay.
BI guess sometimes it just works out that Eway.
[Verse 2]
Goodbye, Tom Joad, we'll meet, I don't know Bwhere.
We're a better kind of people for knowin' you were Ehere.
It was a damn good fight, Tom, but Awe lost and that's a shame;
BI'm glad we stood and fought it, all the Esame.
[Verse 3]
EGoodbye, Gene Debs, I know just where you'll be:
"BWhile there's a man in prison, Amy soul can not Ebe free."
Well, Gene, you tried to change them, but they beat Ayou in the end;
D#mI'm glad that we had you for a Efriend.
[Verse 4]
EAnd Ammon, you old rebel, it's just another roundB.
Takes more than politicians to Akeep a Erebel down.
There's one thing I know for certain, I Aswear by God it's true:
BThis blue-nosed town ain't seen the last of Eyou.
[Verse 5]
ESo long, Joe Hill. So long, but not goodbye.
BYou're off to teach some grafters how to Asizzle and to Efry.
But someday we're going to need you Joe, Ayou and all your friends,
BWe'll never have to say goodbye Eagain.

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Goodbye Joe Hill

by Rosalie Sorrels

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D#m

A song dedicated to Joe Hill , the great social shaker and songwriter killed by the State of Utah in 1915,

Tom Joad , the protagonist of "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck,

Gene Debs (1855-1926), historical leader of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)

and Ammon Hennacy (1893-1970), a pacifist and anarchist Christian who was the founder of the "Joe Hill House",

home of the Catholic Worker Movement in Salt Lake City

[Verse 1]

E B

Goodbye, Joe Hill, we've had some good times here.

I wish you could stay around for just another year.

But the battle line keeps movin' and I know that you can't stay.

B E

I guess sometimes it just works out that way.

[Verse 2]

Goodbye, Tom Joad, we'll meet, I don't know where.

We're a better kind of people for knowin' you were here.

It was a damn good fight, Tom, but we lost and that's a shame;

B E

I'm glad we stood and fought it, all the same.

[Verse 3]

Goodbye, Gene Debs, I know just where you'll be:

B A E

"While there's a man in prison, my soul can not be free."

Well, Gene, you tried to change them, but they beat you in the end;

D#m E

I'm glad that we had you for a friend.

[Verse 4]

E B

And Ammon, you old rebel, it's just another round.

A E

Takes more than politicians to keep a rebel down.

There's one thing I know for certain, I swear by God it's true:

B E

This blue-nosed town ain't seen the last of you.

[Verse 5]

So long, Joe Hill. So long, but not goodbye.

B A E

You're off to teach some grafters how to sizzle and to fry.

But someday we're going to need you Joe, you and all your friends,

B E

We'll never have to say goodbye again.

About Goodbye Joe Hill Chords by Rosalie Sorrels

Learn how to play Goodbye Joe Hill by Rosalie Sorrels with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Goodbye Joe Hill chords”, “Goodbye Joe Hill guitar chords”, or “Rosalie Sorrels Goodbye Joe Hill 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 Goodbye Joe Hill chords and for experienced players who want accurate Goodbye Joe Hill lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, E, B, D#m.

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