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