Key: C major
Verse 1
Eb
Ab
Eb
Oh, the ink is black, the page is white
Ab
Eb
Together we learn to read and write
Ab
To read and write
Eb
And now a child can understand
This is the law of all the land
All the land
Verse 2
with child's voice: Oh,
Ab
Eb
the ink is black, the page is white
Ab
Eb
Together we learn to read and write
Ab
To read and write
Eb
Their robes were black, their
Verse 3
Ab
Eb
heads were white
Ab
The schoolroom doors were
Eb
closed so tight
Ab
Were closed up tight
Eb
Nine judges
Verse 4
Ab
all, set down their names
Eb
To end the years and years of shame
Years of shame
Verse 5
Eb
with child's voice:
Their robes were black,
Ab
Eb
Ab
Eb
Ab
their heads were white
Eb
(Whistling the tune)
Verse 6
Ab
Eb
Ab
Eb
Oh, the slate is black, the chalk is white
Ab
Fm
The words stand out so clear
Eb
and bright
Ab
So clear and bright
Eb
And now at last, we
Verse 7
Ab
plainly see
Eb
The alphabet of liberty
Liberty
Verse 8
Eb
with child's voice:
Ab
Eb
Ab
Oh, the slate is black, the chalk is white
Eb
Ab
Together we learn to read and write
Eb
Ab
To read and write
Eb
Ab
Oh, a child is
Verse 9
Eb
Ab
Eb
black, or a child is white
Ab
Eb
The whole world looks upon the sight
Ab
What a beautiful sight
Eb
For very
Verse 10
well, the whole world knows
Ab
Eb
That this is the way that
freedom grows
Freedom grows
Verse 11
Eb
with child's voice:
Ab
Eb
Oh, a child is black,
Ab
Db
Eb
Ab
or a child is white
(Whistling the tune)
Verse 12
Ab
Eb
Oh, the world is black,
Ab
Eb
and the world is white
Ab
Eb
It turns by day and turns by night
Ab
It turns by night
Verse 13
Eb
Ab
It turns so each and every one
Eb
Can make his station in the sun
Verse 14
In the sun
Eb
with child's voice:
Ab
Eb
Ab
Eb
Oh, the ink is black, the page is white
Ab
Fm
Ab
Eb
Together we learn to read and write
Ab
To read and write
D
Eb
Ab
And now a child can understand
Eb
That this is the love of all the land
All the land
Ab
Eb
continued with child's voice: Oh, the ink is black, the
Verse 15
Ab
Eb
page is white
Ab
Eb
Together we learn to read and write
Ab
To read and write
Ab
Eb
Ab
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TunerE A D G B E
ChordsEb Ab Fm Db D
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