Small Rebellion
View chords used in this chart
CAPO: 2nd Fret
Intro: G C G C G
C
Well, friends, hereby hangs a tale
G
The year was nineteen thirty-one
C
A good job digging for the king
G
While there's so many on the bum
Em D
I'd done my time across in France
C
Fought at Moreaux and at Vimy
G C
Done my service for my country
D G
Thought I'd put the guns behind me
C
I should have known it from the start
G
Peace may be signed between two nations
C
But for protection of your rights
G
My friends, it's always battle stations
Em D
And so it was the union boys
C
Set up shop there in the coalfields
G C
Said that they would be our voice
D G
Said that they would be our shield
INTERLUDE: C G C G
C
They said just a little march
G
Across the town and past the station
C
Some fine strong speakers and a band
G
A fairly peaceful congregation
Em D
Let them know that we were strong
C
Show them we could be united
G C
Show them we had found our voice
D G
And that we would not be frightened
C
I should have known it from the start
G
Workers marching makes them nervous
C
I saw no menace in our group
G
Peaceful of heart and stout of purpose
Em D
The local peelers were forewarned
C
It's sure as hell they were forearmed
G C
How could we cause them any trouble?
D G
How could they be so alarmed?
INTERLUDE: C G C G
C
Armed with truncheons and with guns
G
They took their line across the road
C
Their faces cast in stone
G
I heard the call to aim and load
Em D
Saw the deadly muzzle flash
C G
Saw the people drop around me
C
Took a bullet to the leg
D G
My friends, and that is how they found me
C
I should have known it from the start
G
Should have seen the trouble coming
C
Seen the ugly twist of fate
G
Turned my tail and started running
Em D
Known when push has come to shove
C
And it's a heavy hand that feeds you
G C
That the job that was your life
D G F
Becomes the job that slowly beats you
Bridge:
C G F
No use, no use, for the ranting of the government men
C G F
No use, for their fine print and their fountain pen
C G
No use, no use in me denying
F C
This small rebellion's over, but I'm leaving here unbowed
INTERLUDE: C G C G
C
And when the dust had finally cleared
G
When all dissent had been put down
C
I packed my life in two worn bags
G
Caught the train and left the town
Em D
In this case justice sure was blind
C
At least blind to human suffering
G C
They said they'd put us in our place
D G
And I guess they weren't bluffing
C
I should have known it from the start
G
It's not the truth that really matters
C
The real world tramples on such things
G
Leaves your mental state in tatters
Em D
Makes the blowing prairie dust
C
Seem like it is stationary
G C
Makes the proudest person humble
D G
And the strongest person wary
G C
Makes the proudest person humble
D G C D G
And the strongest person wary
How to play Small Rebellion
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 G. 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.