Rise Up Singing: It Isn't Nice

A song for protests of all kinds by Malvina Reynolds
A song by her, that is
For protests of all kinds by anyone

(Hungry Heart by Bruce Springsteen thrown in there at 2:45 )
Rise Up Singing chapter: Freedom, p.61
These are the R.U.S. chords I use:
G - / D - :// G Em / Am D / GC GD / G -
Alternate chords provided by Rise Up Singing for which I don't know the melody:
C Am / F G :// 3x F G* / C Am F G
(*repeat 2x on last verse)

It isn't nice to block the doorway
It isn't nice to go to jail
There are nicer ways to do it
But the nice ways always fail
It isn't nice, it isn't nice
You told us once, you told us twice
But if that is freedom's price
We don't mind (no no no!)

It isn't nice to carry banners
Or to sit out on the floor
Or to shout our cry of freedom
At the hotel or the store
It isn't nice, it isn't nice
You told us once, you told us twice
But if that is freedom's price...

We have tried negotiations
And three-person picket lines
Mr. Charlie didn't see us
And he might as well be blind
Now our new ways aren't nice
When we deal with men of ice
But if...

How about those years of lynchings
And the shot in Evers' back
Did you say it wasn't proper?
Did you stand out on the track?
You were quiet just like mice
Now you say that we aren't nice / But...

It isn't nice to block the doorway
It isn't nice to go to jail
There are nicer ways to do it
But the nice ways always fail
It isn't nice, it isn't nice
You told us once, you told us twice
But thanks for your advice
'Cause if that is freedom's price
We don't mind

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Rise Up Singing
• song
• singalong
• songbook
• freedom
• folk
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• chords
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• easy guitar
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• political
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• topical
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• Struggle
• American
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• activism
• activist
• hungry heart
• springsteen

[milwaukeeindymedia]

It wasn't nice to write a song like this, But I'm so thankful she did!

[matthewvaughan]

@milwaukeeindymedia Me to/two/too. Thanks for watching this version of it.

[marigenea]

I think Malvina Reynolds died in the late 70s. I am currently 63 myself (so I was in my early 30s when she died) but it makes me happy to see that Malvina's fame continues with the younger generation...

[matthewvaughan]

I'm happy to hear it. I think Malvina Reynold's is the cat's pyjamas. Thanks a lot for watching and for your comment.

[carrolly2k]

Good one Matthew!

[matthewvaughan]

Thanks Jim :)

[milwaukeeindymedia]

@marigenea A while ago I went to a very long concert (NOT A COMPLAINT) in Providence put on by Pete Seeger and friends. The entire event was a tribute Malvina! I can't tell you in words how wonderful it was to hear not just Little Boxes and It Isn't Nice but You Can't Make a Turtle Come Out and Turn Around and all kinds of songs done by people very young and very old and sometimes both or in between ! It might even have been the first time I saw Tao and didn't even know he was Pete's grandson.

[marcoacca]

I just like this song. Well done, Matthew!

[BPNewBedford]

Well done!

[Unpromoted]

nice!