Ry Cooder- Three Chords and the Truth

I do not claim any rights to any of this material. To promote Solidarity and defeat fascism in the USA.

I'm going to tell you a story right here
Huh, you may not believe it

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, standin' in the prison yard
They were taking poor Joe, chained and bound, to a Utah firing squad
Well he turned and looked at me right then, sayin', Don't you be misled
They're trying to tear our free speech down, and Buddy, they ain't near quit yet
See, they framed me on a killin' charge, you know I wouldn't lie to you
But the only crime here that I done was three chords and the truth

Three chords and the truth, oh three chords and the truth
Well the only crime that Joe Hill done was three chords and the truth
Well he sang his good old union songs, he got his message through
But they couldn't stand to hear a workingman sing three chords and the truth

I see you don't believe you're old friend Buddy here
Heh, take a drink, I think you need it

Oh J. Edgar Hoover liked to hear the darkies sing, till one man changed that all around
Paul Robeson was a man that you couldn't ignore, and that's what drove J. Edgar down
''(Yah drove him down)''
He called up his New York Klan boyfriends, sayin', I got something good for you
Get right down there to Peekskill, New York town, and kill three chords and the truth

Three chords and the truth, oh, three chords and the truth
Well the only crime you ever got from Paul was three chords and the truth
Now if this is the land of democracy, I got one question for you
Why wasn't Paul Roberson set free on three chords and the truth?

I see you still don't believe it
I'll bother you one more time
I'll bother you one more time, right mister

Now they took Pete Seeger before the law and put him on the witness stand
But he stood right up to tyranny with just a banjo in his hand
Such a righteous banjo picker, watchin' out for me and you
That was just a man who wouldn't back down on three chords and the truth

Three chords and the truth, three chords and the truth
Well the only crime Pete Seeger done was three chords and the truth
Yah, he sang his freedom songs real good, he's still getting his message through
Better check out old Pete Seeger on three chords and the truth

Three chords and the truth, well its three chords and the truth
Well you better check out your old friend Buddy right now on three chords and the truth

Better check out old Harlan Howard, personal friend of mine
Check out old Harlan on three chords and the truth

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ry
• Cooder
• Union
• organizing
• solidarity
• three
• chords
• and
• the
• truth

[sidDkid87]

I believe it.

[ssurfcity]

@sidDkid87 Amen brother.

[cpvon]

Great Labor Day song!

[ssurfcity]

@cpvon Too soon we have forgotten the sacrifices made by those that fought for a better way of life for all Working People. Whether you are Union or not, these folks paved the way...and tragically we have let the game be taken to us with the anti-Union propaganda, lies and misinformation. However...people are again beginning to see the importance of organizing, what with all the bullshit coming down the pike from those that would eliminate the Middle Class in order to feed their own greed.

[ssurfcity]

@cpvon And I'm Glad you like it!

[gustavosierraf]

Hey! I've just discover this song and I love this words. I've traslated in my page, where there's your video too. Greetings from Spain and ¡Abajo el fascismo!

[ssurfcity]

@gustavosierraf Glad you like it, pass it along!

[cpvon]

You are so right, ssurfcity. People have died fighting for labor rights so that our generation could live a better life. Unfortunately, many people now, either out of malice or ignorance, are spitting on the graves of those who fought and died.

[DuneAquaViva]

Three Chords and The Truth Scares the Shit Outta these Fascist Bastards Every Time...

[RankAndFileGuy]

@DuneAquaViva They got rubber bullets and gas.... but that ain't going to work. Firing squads didn't so that shit won't phase anyone.

[voodoochilled1]

@cpvon Bob Dylan mentions Joe Hill in Chronicles doesn't he?

[nfrantnik]

a song for all the working class around the world, we are the 99% out there.

[lumn8tion]

@ssurfcity very well said. Agreed 100%

[1961axis]

@ssurfcity Well said. My personal opinion is that the class system is not even a subtle attempt to divide people; the party is over but it's taking some folk a while to realise it. Ry Cooder is making some fantastic music at the moment....gives us old musos some hope.