Ode To A Black Man
View chords used in this chart
Intro: E
Verse: 1
E
If you see Stevie Wonder tell him I hear
A E
If you hear Stevie Wonder tell him I see
G#m F#m G#m E
I don't want no songs for plants, I want songs for me
G#m F#m G#m E
I don't want no songs for plants, I want liberty, I'm living in the city
Verse: 2
E
If you see the doctor tell him he's king, Dr. Martin Luther
A E
If you see the doctor tell him he's still king, you too Muhammed Ali
G#m F#m G#m E
But this bad black boy, won't be blown away by anything
G#m F#m G#m E
Yes this bad black boy, won't be blown away by anything
[Refrão]
G#m C#m
There are people in this town that try to put me down
F#m A
They say I don't give a damn, damn
G#m C#m
But the people in this town that try to put me down
F#m G#m A
Are the people in the town, that could never understand a black man
E
Don't take it no more
Interlude
E
E E
Don't take it no more
E
Don't take it no more
A E
G#m F#m G#m E
G#m F#m G#m E
[Refrão]
G#m C#m
There are people in this town that try to put me down
F#m A
They say I don't give a damn, damn
G#m C#m
But the people in this town that try to put me down
F#m G#m A
Are the people in the town, that could never understand a black man
E
Don't take it no more
Verse: 3
E
If you see Robert Johnson, tell him I hear, you too Robert Marley, Robert Mugabe
E
If you see Malcolm, tell him I'm next, vexed
A
If you see Jimi, Jimi Hendrix
E
If you see my brothers tell them it's clear
G#m F#m G#m E
I've been living on the wrong side, but now I hear
G#m F#m G#m E
I've been living on the wrong side, but now I hear
Outro
E
Don't take it no more, I don't take it no more
E
Mr. Joshua Nkomo, don't take it no more
E
Jomo Kenyatta, oh no, don't take it no more
E
Haile Selassi, Rastafarian, don't take it no more
E
Professor Longhair, don't take it no more
How to play Ode To A Black Man
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is E. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.