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Too Many Martyrs

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Eminor

90BPM

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EmIn the state of GMississippi Ammany years ago
A Dboy of 14 years got a Emtaste of southern law
EmHe saw his friend a Ghanging and his Amcolor was his crime
AmAnd the Dblood upon his jacket left a Embrand upon his mind
CHORUS: AmToo many Dmartyrs and Gtoo many Emdead
AmToo many Dlies too many Gempty words were Emsaid
AmToo many Dtimes for too Gmany angry Emmen
AmOh let it Dnever be Emagain
EmHis name was Medgar GEvers and he Amwalked his road alone
Like DEmmett Till and thousands more whose Emnames we'll never know
They Emtried to burn his Ghome and they Ambeat him to the ground
AmBut Ddeep inside they both knew what it Emtook to bring him down
[Chorus]
EmThe killer waited Gby his home Amhidden by the night
As DEvers stepped out from his car inEmto the rifle sight
Emhe slowly squeezed the Gtrigger, the Ambullet left his side
AmIt Dstruck the heart of every man when EmEvers fell and died.
[Chorus]
EmAnd they laid him in his Ggrave while the Ambugle sounded clear
Dlaid him in his grave when the Emvictory was near
EmWhile we waited for the Gfuture for Amfreedom through the land (*)
AmThe Dcountry gained a killer and the Emcountry lost a man
[Chorus]

All chords in this song (4)

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Too Many Martyrs

by Phil Ochs

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Em G Am

In the state of Mississippi many years ago

D Em

A boy of 14 years got a taste of southern law

Em G Am

He saw his friend a hanging and his color was his crime

Am D Em

And the blood upon his jacket left a brand upon his mind

Am D G Em

CHORUS: Too many martyrs and too many dead

Am D G Em

Too many lies too many empty words were said

Am D G Em

Too many times for too many angry men

Am D Em

Oh let it never be again

Em G Am

His name was Medgar Evers and he walked his road alone

D Em

Like Emmett Till and thousands more whose names we'll never know

Em G Am

They tried to burn his home and they beat him to the ground

Am D Em

But deep inside they both knew what it took to bring him down

[Chorus]

Em G Am

The killer waited by his home hidden by the night

D Em

As Evers stepped out from his car into the rifle sight

Em G Am

he slowly squeezed the trigger, the bullet left his side

Am D Em

It struck the heart of every man when Evers fell and died.

[Chorus]

Em G Am

And they laid him in his grave while the bugle sounded clear

D Em

laid him in his grave when the victory was near

Em G Am

While we waited for the future for freedom through the land (*)

Am D Em

The country gained a killer and the country lost a man

[Chorus]

About Too Many Martyrs Chords by Phil Ochs

Learn how to play Too Many Martyrs by Phil Ochs with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Too Many Martyrs chords”, “Too Many Martyrs guitar chords”, or “Phil Ochs Too Many Martyrs 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 Too Many Martyrs chords and for experienced players who want accurate Too Many Martyrs lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, G, Am, D, A.

FAQ — Too Many Martyrs by Phil Ochs

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What key is "Too Many Martyrs" in?

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