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When Detroit Was Burning

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Amajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
A
[Verse]
There was a fire in the sky over Gratiot
You could Dsee it all the way from SpringAwells
EStanding on the front lawn in the F#mblackness
Holding Efast to mama's knees
The whole block on the street
When Detroit was Aburning
[Verse]
Dad said this had been coming for sometime
The Dblack guys on the line had told him Aso
The Ecity of the ghettoes burned on F#mfire
There was Enothing on the news
But all the neighbours knew
When Detroit was Aburning
[Chorus]
When DDetroit was burning, burningF#m  
When DDetroit was burning, burning Edown
[Verse]
There were Ano kids in the park on Saturday
The DGuardsmen set up tents under the Aswings
They Edrove their jeeps around Vernor F#mHighway
Then they'd Ego downtown at night
To shoot everything in sight
When Detroit was Aburning
[Bridge]
DI was just a little girl Aplaying with my friends
I Ddidn't know what it meant to Elive in a black kid's skin
I'm Dolder now and there's still so much I don't underEstand
[Instrumental]
A    D  A  E  F#m  E    A
[Verse]
The farmer's market's thriving down on Gratiot
But there's Dfire in the night around SpringAwells
EDetroit wasn't reborn from the F#mashes
It's been Enearly thirty years
And hate's still living here
Where Detroit was Aburning
[Chorus]
When DDetroit was burning, burningF#m  
When DDetroit was burning, burning Edown
BmOur hometown burning F#mdown

All chords in this song (5)

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When Detroit Was Burning

by Cathie Ryan

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

[Intro]

[Verse]

There was a fire in the sky over Gratiot

D A

You could see it all the way from Springwells

E F#m

Standing on the front lawn in the blackness

Holding fast to mama's knees

The whole block on the street

When Detroit was burning

[Verse]

Dad said this had been coming for sometime

D A

The black guys on the line had told him so

E F#m

The city of the ghettoes burned on fire

There was nothing on the news

But all the neighbours knew

When Detroit was burning

[Chorus]

D F#m

When Detroit was burning, burning

D E

When Detroit was burning, burning down

[Verse]

There were no kids in the park on Saturday

D A

The Guardsmen set up tents under the swings

E F#m

They drove their jeeps around Vernor Highway

Then they'd go downtown at night

To shoot everything in sight

When Detroit was burning

[Bridge]

D A

I was just a little girl playing with my friends

D E

I didn't know what it meant to live in a black kid's skin

D E

I'm older now and there's still so much I don't understand

[Instrumental]

A D A E F#m E A

[Verse]

The farmer's market's thriving down on Gratiot

D A

But there's fire in the night around Springwells

E F#m

Detroit wasn't reborn from the ashes

It's been nearly thirty years

And hate's still living here

Where Detroit was burning

[Chorus]

D F#m

When Detroit was burning, burning

D E

When Detroit was burning, burning down

Bm F#m

Our hometown burning down

About When Detroit Was Burning Chords by Cathie Ryan

Learn how to play When Detroit Was Burning by Cathie Ryan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “When Detroit Was Burning chords”, “When Detroit Was Burning guitar chords”, or “Cathie Ryan When Detroit Was 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 When Detroit Was Burning chords and for experienced players who want accurate When Detroit Was Burning lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, D, E, F#m, Bm.

FAQ — When Detroit Was Burning by Cathie Ryan

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What key is "When Detroit Was Burning" in?

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