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Democracy

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Democracy by Leonard Cohen
It's coDming through a hGole in the aAir,
from those niDghts in TiaAnanmen SqDuare.
It's coGming from the feel
that this ain't exactly real,
or it's rDeal, but it ain't exactly there.
From the wF#ars against disorder,
from the sBmirens night and day,
from the fF#ires of the homeless,
from the aBmshes of the gay:
DemoAcracy is coming   Gto the U.S.DA.
It's coDming through a  Gcrack in the wAall;
on a visDionary flAood of alcDohol;
from the stagGgering account
of the Sermon on the Mount
which I dDon't pretend to understand at all.
It's cF#oming from the silence
on the   Bmdock of the bay,
from the brF#ave, the bold, the battered
heart of   BmChevrolet:
DemAocracy is coming   Gto the U.S.DA.
It's coDming from the soGrrow in the stAreet,
the hDoly places whAere the races mDeet;
from the homGicidal bitchin'
that goes down in every kitchen
to deteDrmine who will serve and who will eat.
From the weF#lls of disappointment
where the wBmomen kneel to pray
for the gF#race of God in the desert here
and the deBmsert far away:
DemoAcracy is coming    Gto the U.S.DA.
SAail on, sGail on
O miDghty Ship of State!
To the ShAores of Need
Past the ReGefs of Greed
Through the SquDalls of Hate
SAail on, sail on, saGil on, saDil on.
It's coDming to AmGerica fiArst,
the crDadle of the bAest and of the woDrst.
It's hGere they got the range
and the machinery for change
and it's hDere they got the spiritual thirst.
It's hF#ere the family's broken
and it's hBmere the lonely say
that the hF#eart has got to open
in a funBmdamental way:
DemoAcracy is coming   Gto the U.S.DA.
It's coDming from the woGmen and the mAen.
O bDaby, we'll be maAking love agDain.
We'll be goGing down so deep 
the river's going to weep,
and the mouDntain's going to shout Amen!
It's coF#ming like the tidal flood
beBmneath the lunar sway,
imF#perial, mysterious,
in amBmorous array:
DemoAcracy is coming   Gto the U.S.DA.
SAail on, sGail on ...
I'm sentDimental, if you   Gknow what I mAean
I love the couDntry but I   Acan't stand the scDene.
And I'm neGither left or right
I'm just staying home tonight,
getting lDost in that hopeless little screen.
But I'm stuF#bborn as those garbage bags
that TBmime cannot decay,
I'm jF#unk but I'm still holding up
this liBmttle wild bouquet:
DemAocracy is coming   Gto the U.S.DA

All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

"Democracy" delves into the complexities of the democratic experiment in the United States, exploring both its shortcomings and its enduring promise. Written around the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the song reflects on the origins and nature of democracy itself. It is described by Cohen as a deeply intimate affirmation of this political system. The song, released on his 1992 album The Future, features a marching drum rhythm and elements of heartland rock, creating a powerful backdrop for its thoughtful lyrics. Playing this song channels a sense of hopeful realism about the ideals of a nation.

AI-written from these sources:Democracy (song) — Wikipedia ↗Leonard Cohen — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Democracy

by Leonard Cohen

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Democracy by Leonard Cohen

D G A

It's coming through a hole in the air,

D A D

from those nights in Tiananmen Square.

It's coming from the feel

that this ain't exactly real,

or it's real, but it ain't exactly there.

From the wars against disorder,

from the sirens night and day,

from the fires of the homeless,

from the ashes of the gay:

A G D

Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

D G A

It's coming through a crack in the wall;

D A D

on a visionary flood of alcohol;

from the staggering account

of the Sermon on the Mount

which I don't pretend to understand at all.

It's coming from the silence

on the dock of the bay,

from the brave, the bold, the battered

heart of Chevrolet:

A G D

Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

D G A

It's coming from the sorrow in the street,

D A D

the holy places where the races meet;

from the homicidal bitchin'

that goes down in every kitchen

to determine who will serve and who will eat.

From the wells of disappointment

where the women kneel to pray

for the grace of God in the desert here

and the desert far away:

A G D

Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

A G

Sail on, sail on

O mighty Ship of State!

To the Shores of Need

Past the Reefs of Greed

Through the Squalls of Hate

A G D

Sail on, sail on, sail on, sail on.

D G A

It's coming to America first,

D A D

the cradle of the best and of the worst.

It's here they got the range

and the machinery for change

and it's here they got the spiritual thirst.

It's here the family's broken

and it's here the lonely say

that the heart has got to open

in a fundamental way:

A G D

Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

D G A

It's coming from the women and the men.

D A D

O baby, we'll be making love again.

We'll be going down so deep

the river's going to weep,

and the mountain's going to shout Amen!

It's coming like the tidal flood

beneath the lunar sway,

imperial, mysterious,

in amorous array:

A G D

Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

A G

Sail on, sail on ...

D G A

I'm sentimental, if you know what I mean

D A D

I love the country but I can't stand the scene.

And I'm neither left or right

I'm just staying home tonight,

getting lost in that hopeless little screen.

But I'm stubborn as those garbage bags

that Time cannot decay,

I'm junk but I'm still holding up

this little wild bouquet:

A G D

Democracy is coming to the U.S.A

About Democracy Chords by Leonard Cohen

Learn how to play Democracy by Leonard Cohen with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Democracy chords”, “Democracy guitar chords”, or “Leonard Cohen 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 Democracy chords and for experienced players who want accurate Democracy lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, A, F#, Bm.

FAQ — Democracy by Leonard Cohen

How do I play "Democracy" by Leonard Cohen on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Democracy" by Leonard Cohen on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Democracy" by Leonard Cohen free?

Yes. The chords for "Democracy" by Leonard Cohen are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Democracy" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Democracy" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Democracy"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Democracy" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Democracy" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Democracy" by Leonard Cohen with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Leonard Cohen below.

What key is "Democracy" in?

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