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Black Day In July

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Gordon Lightfoot
   Em+5022010
    Em6022020
                         BLACK DAY IN JULY
EmBlack day in JuDly, mEmotor city Dmadness has touGched the countrysEmide
And thrCough the smoke and cinEmders, you can Chear it far and Emwide
The doCors are quickly boEmlted and the chiCldren locked inEmside
DBlack day in JEmuly.
EmBlack day in JuDly, and the sEmoul of Motor CDity is baGred across the lEmand
As the bCook of law and oEmrder is taCken in the hEmands
Of the sCons of the fatEmhers who were carCried to this lEmand
DBlack day in JEmuly.
EmBlack day in JuDly, in the stEmreets of Motor CDity there is a deGadly silent
soEmund
And the bCody of a dEmead youth, lies strCetched upon the gEmround
CUpon the filthy pavEmement no reCason can be foEmund
DBlack day in JEmuly.
EmBlack day in JDuly, MoEmtor City maDdness has toGuched the countrysEmide
And the peoCple rise in aEmnger and the strCeets begin to fEmill
And there's gunCfire from the roEmoftops and the blCood begins to spEmill
DBlack day in JEmuly.
Interlude #1:
In the manEmsion of the gEm+5overnor
There's noEm6thing that is kEm+5nown for sure
The telepEmhone is rinEm+5ging
And the peEm6ndulum is swinEm+5ging
And they woEmnder how it haEm+5ppened
And they reEm6ally know the rEm+5eason
And it waEmsn't just the tEm+5emperature
And it waEm6sn't just the Em+5season
DBlack day in JEmuly.
EmBlack day in JuDly, MEmotor City's buDrning and the flGames are running wEmild
They refClect upon the waEmters of the riCver and the lEmake
And everCyone is listEmening and everCyone's aEmwake
DBlack day in JEmuly.
EmBlack day in JuDly, the priEmnting press is turDning and the nGews is quickly
Emflashed
And you rCead your morning pEmaper and you sCip your cup of tEmea
And you woCnder just in paEmssing is it hCim or is it Emme
DBlack day in JEmuly.
Interlude #2:
In the ofEmfice of the Em+5President
The dEm6eed is done the Em+5troops are sent
There's reEmally not much Em+5choice you see
It loEm6oks to us like Em+5anarchy
And tEmhen the tanks go rEm+5olling in
To Em6patch things up as Em+5best they can
There Emis no time to hEm+5esitate
The spEm6eech is made the Em+5dues can wait
DBlack day in JEmuly.
EmBlack day in JDuly, the stEmreets of Motor CDity now are qGuiet and seEmrene
But the shCapes of gutted buiEmldings strike teCrror to the hEmeart
And you sCay how did it haEmppen and you sCay how did it stEmart
Why cCan't we all be brotEmhers, why cCan't we live in pEmeace
But the haCnds of the hEmave-nots keep faClling out of rEmeach
DBlack day in JEmuly.
EmBlack day in JDuly, bEmlack day in JDuly.

All chords in this song (6)

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Black Day In July

by Gordon Lightfoot

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Em+5

Em6

Gordon Lightfoot

Em+5

022010

Em6

022020

BLACK DAY IN JULY

Em D Em D G Em

Black day in July, motor city madness has touched the countryside

C Em C Em

And through the smoke and cinders, you can hear it far and wide

C Em C Em

The doors are quickly bolted and the children locked inside

D Em

Black day in July.

Em D Em D G Em

Black day in July, and the soul of Motor City is bared across the land

C Em C Em

As the book of law and order is taken in the hands

C Em C Em

Of the sons of the fathers who were carried to this land

D Em

Black day in July.

Em D Em D G

Black day in July, in the streets of Motor City there is a deadly silent

sound

C Em C Em

And the body of a dead youth, lies stretched upon the ground

C Em C Em

Upon the filthy pavement no reason can be found

D Em

Black day in July.

Em D Em D G Em

Black day in July, Motor City madness has touched the countryside

C Em C Em

And the people rise in anger and the streets begin to fill

C Em C Em

And there's gunfire from the rooftops and the blood begins to spill

D Em

Black day in July.

Interlude #1:

Em Em+5

In the mansion of the governor

Em6 Em+5

There's nothing that is known for sure

Em Em+5

The telephone is ringing

Em6 Em+5

And the pendulum is swinging

Em Em+5

And they wonder how it happened

Em6 Em+5

And they really know the reason

Em Em+5

And it wasn't just the temperature

Em6 Em+5

And it wasn't just the season

D Em

Black day in July.

Em D Em D G Em

Black day in July, Motor City's burning and the flames are running wild

C Em C Em

They reflect upon the waters of the river and the lake

C Em C Em

And everyone is listening and everyone's awake

D Em

Black day in July.

Em D Em D G

Black day in July, the printing press is turning and the news is quickly

flashed

C Em C Em

And you read your morning paper and you sip your cup of tea

C Em C Em

And you wonder just in passing is it him or is it me

D Em

Black day in July.

Interlude #2:

Em Em+5

In the office of the President

Em6 Em+5

The deed is done the troops are sent

Em Em+5

There's really not much choice you see

Em6 Em+5

It looks to us like anarchy

Em Em+5

And then the tanks go rolling in

Em6 Em+5

To patch things up as best they can

Em Em+5

There is no time to hesitate

Em6 Em+5

The speech is made the dues can wait

D Em

Black day in July.

Em D Em D G Em

Black day in July, the streets of Motor City now are quiet and serene

C Em C Em

But the shapes of gutted buildings strike terror to the heart

C Em C Em

And you say how did it happen and you say how did it start

C Em C Em

Why can't we all be brothers, why can't we live in peace

C Em C Em

But the hands of the have-nots keep falling out of reach

D Em

Black day in July.

Em D Em D

Black day in July, black day in July.

About Black Day In July Chords by Gordon Lightfoot

Learn how to play Black Day In July by Gordon Lightfoot with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Black Day In July chords”, “Black Day In July guitar chords”, or “Gordon Lightfoot Black Day In July 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 Black Day In July chords and for experienced players who want accurate Black Day In July lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em+5, Em6, Em, D, G, C.

FAQ — Black Day In July by Gordon Lightfoot

How do I play "Black Day In July" by Gordon Lightfoot on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Black Day In July" by Gordon Lightfoot 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 "Black Day In July" by Gordon Lightfoot free?

Yes. The chords for "Black Day In July" by Gordon Lightfoot are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Black Day In July" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Black Day In July"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Black Day In July" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Black Day In July" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Black Day In July" by Gordon Lightfoot with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Gordon Lightfoot below.

What key is "Black Day In July" in?

The chords for "Black Day In July" show the original chord names (including Em+5, Em6, Em, D, G, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.