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Why We Build The Wall

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Eminor

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"Why We Build The Wall"  Billy Bragg (originally Anais Mitchell)
Standard tuning
Capo: wherever’s comfortable for your voice; Billy usually has it on 3
This is a deliberate simplification to outline the basic structure and repetition but not a bad place to
start I hope?  I’ve heard Billy play this several times – live and recorded – and it’s never the same
twice.  Sometimes he throws in Dsus2 or Dsus4 and sometimes it sounds more like A or E than Am or Em.
But because he’s mostly striking individual strings, it’s kinda whatever you want it to be.  Play around
with it and enjoy.
[Intro]
Em G Am Em G Am Em
[Verse 1]
EmWhy do we build the wall?
GMy children, Dmy children
EmWhy do we build the wall?G  Am  Em  
EmWhy do we build the wall?
GWe build the wall to Dkeep us free
EmThat's why we build the wall
EmWe build the Gwall, to Amkeep us Emfree
[Verse 2]
EmHow does the wall keep us free?
GMy children, Dmy children
EmHow does the wall keep us free?G  Am  Em  
EmHow does the wall keep us free?
GThe wall keeps out Dthe enemy
GAnd we build the wall to Dkeep us free
EmThat's why we build the wall
EmWe build the Gwall to Amkeep us Emfree
[Verse 3]
EmWho do we call the enemy?
GMy children, Dmy children
EmWho do we call the enemy?G  Am  Em  
EmWho do we call the enemy?
GThe enemy is Dpoverty
GAnd the wall keeps out Dthe enemy
GAnd we build the wall to Dkeep us free
EmThat's why we build the wall
EmWe build the Gwall to Amkeep us Emfree
[Verse 4]
EmBecause we have and they have not
GMy children, Dmy children
EmBecause they want what we have gotG  Am  Em  
EmBecause we have and they have not
GThe enemy is Dpoverty
GAnd the wall keeps out Dthe enemy
GAnd we build the wall to Dkeep us free
EmThat's why we build the wall
EmWe build the Gwall to Amkeep us Emfree
[Verse 5]
EmWhat do we have that they should want?
GMy children, Dmy children
EmWhat do we have that they should want?G  Am  Em  
EmWhat do we have that they should want?
GWe have a wall to Dwork upon
GWe have work and Dthey have none
GAnd our work is Dnever done
GMy children, Dmy children
GAnd the war is Dnever won
GThe enemy is Dpoverty
GAnd the wall keeps out Dthe enemy
GAnd we build the wall to Dkeep us free
EmThat's why we build the wall
EmWe build the Gwall to Amkeep us Emfree
EmWe build the Gwall to Amkeep us Emfree

All chords in this song (4)

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Why We Build The Wall

by Billy Bragg

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

"Why We Build The Wall" Billy Bragg (originally Anais Mitchell)

Standard tuning

Capo: wherever’s comfortable for your voice; Billy usually has it on 3

This is a deliberate simplification to outline the basic structure and repetition but not a bad place to

start I hope? I’ve heard Billy play this several times – live and recorded – and it’s never the same

twice. Sometimes he throws in Dsus2 or Dsus4 and sometimes it sounds more like A or E than Am or Em.

But because he’s mostly striking individual strings, it’s kinda whatever you want it to be. Play around

with it and enjoy.

[Intro]

Em G Am Em G Am Em

[Verse 1]

Why do we build the wall?

G D

My children, my children

Em G Am Em

Why do we build the wall?

G D

We build the wall to keep us free

That's why we build the wall

Em G Am Em

We build the wall, to keep us free

[Verse 2]

How does the wall keep us free?

G D

My children, my children

Em G Am Em

How does the wall keep us free?

G D

The wall keeps out the enemy

G D

And we build the wall to keep us free

That's why we build the wall

Em G Am Em

We build the wall to keep us free

[Verse 3]

Who do we call the enemy?

G D

My children, my children

Em G Am Em

Who do we call the enemy?

G D

The enemy is poverty

G D

And the wall keeps out the enemy

G D

And we build the wall to keep us free

That's why we build the wall

Em G Am Em

We build the wall to keep us free

[Verse 4]

Because we have and they have not

G D

My children, my children

Em G Am Em

Because they want what we have got

Because we have and they have not

G D

The enemy is poverty

G D

And the wall keeps out the enemy

G D

And we build the wall to keep us free

That's why we build the wall

Em G Am Em

We build the wall to keep us free

[Verse 5]

What do we have that they should want?

G D

My children, my children

Em G Am Em

What do we have that they should want?

G D

We have a wall to work upon

G D

We have work and they have none

G D

And our work is never done

G D

My children, my children

G D

And the war is never won

G D

The enemy is poverty

G D

And the wall keeps out the enemy

G D

And we build the wall to keep us free

That's why we build the wall

Em G Am Em

We build the wall to keep us free

Em G Am Em

We build the wall to keep us free

About Why We Build The Wall Chords by Billy Bragg

Learn how to play Why We Build The Wall by Billy Bragg with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Why We Build The Wall chords”, “Why We Build The Wall guitar chords”, or “Billy Bragg Why We Build The Wall 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 Why We Build The Wall chords and for experienced players who want accurate Why We Build The Wall lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dsus2, Dsus4, A, E, Am, Em.

FAQ — Why We Build The Wall by Billy Bragg

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What key is "Why We Build The Wall" in?

The chords for "Why We Build The Wall" show the original chord names (including Dsus2, Dsus4, A, E, Am, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.