Sunday, July 12, 2009

It Isn't Nice


A song, for protests of all kinds, by Malvina Reynolds
(Hungry Heart by Bruce Springsteen thrown in there at 2:45)

Rise Up Singing chapter: Freedom, p.61
These are the R.U.S. chords I use:
G - / D - :// G Em / Am D / GC GD / G -
Alternate chords provided by Rise Up Singing for which I don't know the melody:
C Am / F G :// 3x F G* / C Am F G
(*repeat 2x on last verse)

It isn't nice to block the doorway
It isn't nice to go to jail
There are nicer ways to do it
But the nice ways always fail
It isn't nice, it isn't nice
You told us once, you told us twice
But if that is freedom's price
We don't mind (no no no!)

It isn't nice to carry banners
Or to sit out on the floor
Or to shout our cry of freedom
At the hotel or the store
It isn't nice, it isn't nice
You told us once, you told us twice
But if that is freedom's price...

We have tried negotiations
And three-person picket lines
Mr. Charlie didn't see us
And he might as well be blind
Now our new ways aren't nice
When we deal with men of ice
But if...

How about those years of lynchings
And the shot in Evers' back
Did you say it wasn't proper?
Did you stand out on the track?
You were quiet just like mice
Now you say that we aren't nice / But...

It isn't nice to block the doorway
It isn't nice to go to jail
There are nicer ways to do it
But the nice ways always fail
It isn't nice, it isn't nice
You told us once, you told us twice
But thanks for your advice
'Cause if that is freedom's price
We don't mind

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