Black Day In July

gordon lightfoot 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 Em 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 G in the mansion of the governor Em G there’s nothing that is known for sure Em G the telephone is ringing Em G and the pendulum is swinging Em G and they wonder how it happened Em G and they really know the reason Em G and it wasn’t just the temperature Em G 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 Em 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 G in the office of the president Em G the deed is done the troops are sent Em G there’s really not much choice you see Em G it looks to us like anarchy Em G and then the tanks go rolling in Em G to patch things up as best they can Em G there is no time to hesitate Em G 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 .