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.