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Be what you are chords by
The Staple Singers
The Staple Singers
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N/A•
Key: B major•
Intro 1
G
G

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Gm
Gm
3

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G
G

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Gm
Gm
3

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G
G

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Verse 1
G
G

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Oh man,

you heard enough

Trying to live a risking life

Don't go out and buy a Cadillac

If you know your money ain't right
Verse 2
G
G

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Fun is so much easier

When within your mean

If you can't afford caviar

Don't be ashamed to eat
Verse 3

pork and beef, yeah
D
D

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I'm not trying to tell you how to do it
C
C

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Bb
Bb

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C
C

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G
G

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I'm only saying put some thought into it
Verse 4

Be what you are, my friend
Gsus4
Gsus4

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G
G

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And live the life

Be what you are, my friend

And live the life
Verse 5

G
G

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Just because you made this child

Attend some private school

You try to send yours

Knowing only time will
Verse 6

really might able to
G
G

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Don't try to live like a king, yeah

On a poor mans take

That's one reason there are so many

People are hurting today, Lord
Verse 7
D
D

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I'm not trying to tell you how to do it
C
C

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Bb
Bb

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C
C

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I'm only saying put some thought into it
Verse 8
G
G

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Be what you are, my friend

And live the life

Be what you are, my friend
Interlude 1

And live the life
G
G

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Bb
Bb

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C
C

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G
G

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Gm
Gm
3

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Bb
Bb

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C
C

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G
G

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C
C

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Bb
Bb

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C
C

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G
G

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Gm
Gm
3

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Bb
Bb

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C
C

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D
D

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Verse 9
G
G

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Don't try to live this high

When you see your boss man do, yeah

Just remember you work for him

And he don't work for you
Verse 10
G
G

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It was something that you want, oh

And you know you can't afford it

Don't be ashamed to a put a lid down

on it

[Incomprehensible] hold it, yeah
Verse 11
D
D

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I'm not trying to tell you how to do it
C
C

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Bb
Bb

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C
C

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I'm only saying put some thought into it
Verse 12
G
G

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Be what you are, my friend

And live the life

Be what you are, my friend
D
D

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And live the life
G
G

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Verse 13
G
G

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Be what you are, my friend

And live the life

Be what you are, my friend

And live the life
Verse 14

G
G

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Be what you are, my friend

And live the life

Be what you are, my friend

And live the life
Verse 15

G
G

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Be what you are, my friend

And live the life

Be what you are, my friend

And live the life
Verse 16

G
G

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Be what you are, my friend

And live the life

Be what you are, my friend

And live the life
Verse 17

G
G

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Be what you are, my friend

And live the life

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An acoustic guitar head with tuning pegs

Tuning:Standard Open Tuner
Chords

  • G

  • Gm

    3

  • D

  • C

  • Bb

  • Gsus4

Capo: 4

Transpose: 0

0

Autoscroll20%

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Frequently asked questions

The original key of Be what you are by The staple singers is B major.

The primary chords used in Be what you are are B, Bm, F#, E, D, Bsus4.

To play in the original key, place your capo on the 4 fret.

Yes, this version uses open chords like B, Bm, F#, E, making it a great song for beginner guitarists.

The tempo of Be what you are is approximately 105 beats per minute.

You can easily change the key of Be what you are using our Transpose button located in the toolbar. This will automatically update all chord diagrams on the page to match your new key.

Yes! Click the Print icon to generate a clean, one-page version of the chords and lyrics for Be what you are. This is perfect for practicing offline or adding to a physical songbook.

Yes, we have integrated a Mini-Tuner directly on this page. Use it to quickly check your string pitch (Standard Tuning: E A D G B E) before you start playing along with The staple singers.

Absolutely. Click the Save or Heart icon to add Be what you are to your account. You can access all your saved songs under My Library at any time.

You can view the full chord sheet and lyrics for Be what you are by The staple singers on this page for free. We provide high-quality, verified chords to help you start playing immediately.