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Societys Child

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[Verse 1]
CCmome to my dFoor, baby
FCmace is clean and shining blFack as night
CmMy mother went to anFswer you know
That you loEboked so fineF  
Now BbI could understand your tears and your shame
DShe called you "boy" instead of your name
GmWhen she wouldn't let you inside
EbWhen she turned and said
"But honey, he's Fnot oEbur kinFd."
[Chorus 1]
SAmhe says I can't see you aD7ny more, baby
CAman't see you anymoD7re
[Verse 2]
WCmalk me down to scFhool, baby
EveCmrybody's acting dFeaf and blind
UCmntil they turn and say, "Why doFn't you stick to
yoEbur own kFind."
MBby teachers all laugh, their smirking stares
CDutting deep down in our affairs
PGmreachers of equality
TEbhink they believe it, then why won't they just lFet uEbs be?F  
[Chorus 2]
ThAmey say I can't see you anD7ymore baby
CAman't see you anD7ymore
[Verse 3]
OCmne of these days I'm gonna sFtop my listening
GCmonna raise my head up hFigh
OCmne of these days I'm gonna raFise my glistening wEbings and flFy
BBbut that day will have to wait for a while
BDaby I'm only society's child
WGmhen we're older things may change
BEbut for now this is the way, they Fmust rEbemain
[Chorus 3]
I Amsay I can't see you anD7ymore baby
CAman't see you anD7ymore
NBbo, I won't see you Canymore, baby

All chords in this song (9)

The story behind the song

"Society's Child" tells the story of a young girl caught in the painful grip of an interracial romance in mid-1960s America. The lyrics explore her feelings as she witnesses her African American boyfriend's humiliation from her mother, and endures taunts from classmates and even hypocritical educators. Ultimately, she makes the heartbreaking decision to end the relationship, influenced by the pressures around her. Written by Janis Ian when she was just 13 and 14, the song captures the intense societal judgment that forced young love to crumble. It plays like a raw, honest look at innocence lost to prejudice.

AI-written from these sources:Society's Child — Wikipedia ↗Janis Ian — Wikipedia ↗

Story time

Societys Child

Societys Child

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Societys Child

by Janis Ian

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

Cm F

Come to my door, baby

Cm F

Face is clean and shining black as night

Cm F

My mother went to answer you know

Eb F

That you looked so fine

Now I could understand your tears and your shame

She called you "boy" instead of your name

When she wouldn't let you inside

When she turned and said

F Eb F

"But honey, he's not our kind."

[Chorus 1]

Am D7

She says I can't see you any more, baby

Am D7

Can't see you anymore

[Verse 2]

Cm F

Walk me down to school, baby

Cm F

Everybody's acting deaf and blind

Cm F

Until they turn and say, "Why don't you stick to

Eb F

your own kind."

My teachers all laugh, their smirking stares

Cutting deep down in our affairs

Preachers of equality

Eb F Eb F

Think they believe it, then why won't they just let us be?

[Chorus 2]

Am D7

They say I can't see you anymore baby

Am D7

Can't see you anymore

[Verse 3]

Cm F

One of these days I'm gonna stop my listening

Cm F

Gonna raise my head up high

Cm F Eb F

One of these days I'm gonna raise my glistening wings and fly

But that day will have to wait for a while

Baby I'm only society's child

When we're older things may change

Eb F Eb

But for now this is the way, they must remain

[Chorus 3]

Am D7

I say I can't see you anymore baby

Am D7

Can't see you anymore

Bb C

No, I won't see you anymore, baby

About Societys Child Chords by Janis Ian

Learn how to play Societys Child by Janis Ian with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Societys Child chords”, “Societys Child guitar chords”, or “Janis Ian Societys Child 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 Societys Child chords and for experienced players who want accurate Societys Child lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Cm, F, Eb, Bb, D, Gm.

FAQ — Societys Child by Janis Ian

How do I play "Societys Child" by Janis Ian on guitar?

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Is "Societys Child" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Societys Child" in?

The chords for "Societys Child" show the original chord names (including Cm, F, Eb, Bb, D, Gm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.