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They Call It Democracy

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[Verse 1]
DPadded with power here they come
EmInternational loan sharks Gbacked by the guns
Of Dmarket hungry military profiteers
Whose Emword is a swamp and whose Gbrow is smeared
With the Dblood of the poorEm  G  
[Verse 2]
DWho rob life of its quality
EmWho render rage a Gnecessity
DBy turning countries into labour camps
EmModern slavers in Gdrag as Dchampions of freedomEm  G  
[Verse 3]
DSinister cynical instrument
EmWho makes the gun into a Gsacrament
DThe only response to the deification
EmOf tyranny by so-called "Gdeveloped" nations'
DIdolatry of ideologyEm  G  
[Verse 4]
DNorth south east west
EmKill the best and Gbuy the rest
DIt's just spend a buck to make a buck
EmYou don't really give a Gflying fuck
DAbout the people in miseryEm  G  
[Chorus]
AIMF dirty MF
ATakes away everything it can get
AAlways making certain that there's one thing left
AKeep them on the hook with insupportable debtD  Em  G  D  Em  G  
[Verse 5]
DI see the paid-off local bottom feeders
EmPassing themselves off as Gleaders
DKiss the ladies shake hands with the fellows
EmAnd it's open for business like a Gcheap bordello
DAnd they call it democracy, and Emthey call it democracyG  
DAnd they call it democracy, and Emthey call it democracyG  
[Verse 6]
DYou see the loaded eyes of the children too
EmTrying to make the best of it the Gway kids do
DOne day you're going to rise from your habitual feast
EmTo find yourself staring down the Gthroat of the beast
DThey call the revolutionEm  G  
[Chorus]
AIMF dirty MF
ATakes away everything it can get
AAlways making certain that there's one thing left
AKeep them on the hook with insupportable debt.D  Em  G  
DAnd they call it democracy, and Emthey call it democracyG  
DAnd they call it democracy, and Emthey call it democracyG  
D    Em    G
D    Em    G
D    Em    G
D    Em    G

All chords in this song (4)

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They Call It Democracy

by Bruce Cockburn

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

Padded with power here they come

Em G

International loan sharks backed by the guns

Of market hungry military profiteers

Em G

Whose word is a swamp and whose brow is smeared

D Em G

With the blood of the poor

[Verse 2]

Who rob life of its quality

Em G

Who render rage a necessity

By turning countries into labour camps

Em G D Em G

Modern slavers in drag as champions of freedom

[Verse 3]

Sinister cynical instrument

Em G

Who makes the gun into a sacrament

The only response to the deification

Em G

Of tyranny by so-called "developed" nations'

D Em G

Idolatry of ideology

[Verse 4]

North south east west

Em G

Kill the best and buy the rest

It's just spend a buck to make a buck

Em G

You don't really give a flying fuck

D Em G

About the people in misery

[Chorus]

IMF dirty MF

Takes away everything it can get

Always making certain that there's one thing left

A D Em G D Em G

Keep them on the hook with insupportable debt

[Verse 5]

I see the paid-off local bottom feeders

Em G

Passing themselves off as leaders

Kiss the ladies shake hands with the fellows

Em G

And it's open for business like a cheap bordello

D Em G

And they call it democracy, and they call it democracy

D Em G

And they call it democracy, and they call it democracy

[Verse 6]

You see the loaded eyes of the children too

Em G

Trying to make the best of it the way kids do

One day you're going to rise from your habitual feast

Em G

To find yourself staring down the throat of the beast

D Em G

They call the revolution

[Chorus]

IMF dirty MF

Takes away everything it can get

Always making certain that there's one thing left

A D Em G

Keep them on the hook with insupportable debt.

D Em G

And they call it democracy, and they call it democracy

D Em G

And they call it democracy, and they call it democracy

D Em G

About They Call It Democracy Chords by Bruce Cockburn

Learn how to play They Call It Democracy by Bruce Cockburn with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “They Call It Democracy chords”, “They Call It Democracy guitar chords”, or “Bruce Cockburn They Call It Democracy 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 They Call It Democracy chords and for experienced players who want accurate They Call It Democracy lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, Em, G, A.

FAQ — They Call It Democracy by Bruce Cockburn

How do I play "They Call It Democracy" by Bruce Cockburn on guitar?

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Is "They Call It Democracy" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "They Call It Democracy" in?

The chords for "They Call It Democracy" show the original chord names (including D, Em, G, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.