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Hymn To Breaking Strain

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Eminor

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This is an adaptation of the poem "Hymn Of Breaking Strain" by Rudyard Kipling (1935)
EmThe careful text-books measGure - LeAt all who buiCld beware!
EmThe load, the shock, thGe pressurAe material caCn bear:
EmSo, when the bucklAed girder Clets dDown thEme grinding span
EmThe blame of loss, Aor murderC, is lDaid upEmon the man
CNot on the StDeel - thEme Man!
EmBut, in our daily dealing wGith stonAe and steel, Cwe find
EmThe Gods have no such feeliGng of juAstice toward Cmankind
EmTo no set gauge thAey make usC, for Dno laiEmd course prepare
EmIn time they overtAake us witCh loadDs we cEmannot bear:
CToo merciless Dto bearEm  
EmThe prudent text-books give Git in tAables at the Cend
EmThe stress that shears a riGvet, or Amakes a tie-bCar bend
EmWhat traffic wreckAs macadam C- what DconcrEmete should endure
EmBut we, poor Sons Aof Adam, hCave no Dsuch Emliterature
CTo warn us or Dmake suEmre!
EmWe hold all Earth to plundeGr - all ATime and SpacCe as well
EmToo wonder-stale to wonder Gat each Anew miracleC  
EmTill in the mid-ilAlusion of CGodhooDd 'neaEmth our hand
EmFalls multiple conAfusion on Call we Ddid oEmr planned
CThe mighty woDrks we pEmlanned
EmWe only in Creation - how mGuch luckAier the bridgCe and rail!
EmAbide the twin damnation: tGo fail aAnd know we faCil
EmYet we - by which Asole token Cwe knDow we Emonce were Gods
EmTake shame in beinAg broken, ChoweveDr greaEmt the odds
CThe Burden or Dthe OddEms
EmOh, veiled and secret PowerG, whose Apaths we seek Cin vain
EmBe with us in our hour of oGverthrow Aand painC  
EmThat we - by which Asure tokeCn we kDnow ThEmy ways are true
EmIn spite of being Abroken, or Embecause of being A7broken
CRise up and bDuild aneEmw
CStand up and Dbuild anEmew!

All chords in this song (6)

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Hymn To Breaking Strain

by Leslie Fish

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

This is an adaptation of the poem "Hymn Of Breaking Strain" by Rudyard Kipling (1935)

Em G A C

The careful text-books measure - Let all who build beware!

Em G A C

The load, the shock, the pressure material can bear:

Em A C D Em

So, when the buckled girder lets down the grinding span

Em A C D Em

The blame of loss, or murder, is laid upon the man

C D Em

Not on the Steel - the Man!

Em G A C

But, in our daily dealing with stone and steel, we find

Em G A C

The Gods have no such feeling of justice toward mankind

Em A C D Em

To no set gauge they make us, for no laid course prepare

Em A C D Em

In time they overtake us with loads we cannot bear:

C D Em

Too merciless to bear

Em G A C

The prudent text-books give it in tables at the end

Em G A C

The stress that shears a rivet, or makes a tie-bar bend

Em A C D Em

What traffic wrecks macadam - what concrete should endure

Em A C D Em

But we, poor Sons of Adam, have no such literature

C D Em

To warn us or make sure!

Em G A C

We hold all Earth to plunder - all Time and Space as well

Em G A C

Too wonder-stale to wonder at each new miracle

Em A C D Em

Till in the mid-illusion of Godhood 'neath our hand

Em A C D Em

Falls multiple confusion on all we did or planned

C D Em

The mighty works we planned

Em G A C

We only in Creation - how much luckier the bridge and rail!

Em G A C

Abide the twin damnation: to fail and know we fail

Em A C D Em

Yet we - by which sole token we know we once were Gods

Em A C D Em

Take shame in being broken, however great the odds

C D Em

The Burden or the Odds

Em G A C

Oh, veiled and secret Power, whose paths we seek in vain

Em G A C

Be with us in our hour of overthrow and pain

Em A C D Em

That we - by which sure token we know Thy ways are true

Em A Em A7

In spite of being broken, or because of being broken

C D Em

Rise up and build anew

C D Em

Stand up and build anew!

About Hymn To Breaking Strain Chords by Leslie Fish

Learn how to play Hymn To Breaking Strain by Leslie Fish with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Hymn To Breaking Strain chords”, “Hymn To Breaking Strain guitar chords”, or “Leslie Fish Hymn To Breaking Strain 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 Hymn To Breaking Strain chords and for experienced players who want accurate Hymn To Breaking Strain lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, G, A, C, D, A7.

FAQ — Hymn To Breaking Strain by Leslie Fish

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What key is "Hymn To Breaking Strain" in?

The chords for "Hymn To Breaking Strain" show the original chord names (including Em, G, A, C, D, A7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.