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Jack Johnson

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Have you hCeard about Jack Johnson, hes a Amhero in this lGand.
I don't liCke to sing about boxing but I hCope you'll undeGrstand.
It was the 1Cst year they gave the heavyweight tGitle to a black man,
and in 19C08 it ain't so eGasy.C  G  C  G  
He was bAmorn right after slavery dGied, rAmight after reconstGruction died,
he was bAmorn right after nFone of that stuff really dGied.
It never dCied at aGllC  G  
He would wDalk down the streets wearing gGold and diamonds,
always hDold his head up hGigh.
And he neCver had to say yes sGir or no sir to the whAmite folks as they passed 
him bGy,
or Cas he passed them Gby.C  G  
So the grFeat white hope was pulled out of retirement
to nurse the brGuised and damaged white pride.
And when JoChnson beat him dAmown there wasn't a Dman aGround at his siCde.G  C  G  
And wGhen the fight was over, there was beatings and murders.
The woCrst race riot tAmhis country has sGeen.
And aCll because they didn't want a Gblack man.
ACll because they didn't want a bAmlack man.
They coCuldn't stand to see a blGack man winning in their rCing.G  C  G  
Yeah, wDho said heroes have to Gbe role mCodels?
WDho said heroes have to Gbe role mCodels?
WDho said heroes have to Gbe role mCodels, GanywCay?

All chords in this song (5)

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Jack Johnson

by This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C Am G

Have you heard about Jack Johnson, hes a hero in this land.

C C G

I don't like to sing about boxing but I hope you'll understand.

C G

It was the 1st year they gave the heavyweight title to a black man,

C G C G C G

and in 1908 it ain't so easy.

Am G Am G

He was born right after slavery died, right after reconstruction died,

Am F G

he was born right after none of that stuff really died.

C G C G

It never died at all

D G

He would walk down the streets wearing gold and diamonds,

D G

always hold his head up high.

C G Am

And he never had to say yes sir or no sir to the white folks as they passed

him by,

C G C G

or as he passed them by.

So the great white hope was pulled out of retirement

to nurse the bruised and damaged white pride.

C Am D G C G C G

And when Johnson beat him down there wasn't a man around at his side.

And when the fight was over, there was beatings and murders.

C Am G

The worst race riot this country has seen.

C G

And all because they didn't want a black man.

C Am

All because they didn't want a black man.

C G C G C G

They couldn't stand to see a black man winning in their ring.

D G C

Yeah, who said heroes have to be role models?

D G C

Who said heroes have to be role models?

D G C G C

Who said heroes have to be role models, anyway?

About Jack Johnson Chords by This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb

Learn how to play Jack Johnson by This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Jack Johnson chords”, “Jack Johnson guitar chords”, or “This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb Jack Johnson 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 Jack Johnson chords and for experienced players who want accurate Jack Johnson lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Am, G, F, D.

FAQ — Jack Johnson by This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb

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The chords for "Jack Johnson" show the original chord names (including C, Am, G, F, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.