Lyrics/chords to "Road to Birmingham"

Road to Birmingham

(Ian Hunter)

(Intro)
& A D D A
& A D D A
(Verse 1)
&A Bm D A
Sleet lay heavy on the road that led from Birmingham
& A A/G# F#m F#m/E G D
Unseeing eyes, defeated pride and mysteries of man
& A Bm D A
In many years the helpless tears have left the troubled brow
& A A/G# F#m F#m/E D A
A man once tall he fought them all but he is older now
& A D D A
(Verse 2)
& A Bm D A
For in your youth you think the truth will always win the game
& A A/G# F#m F#m/E G D
Some men are kings, some men are rooks, some men are pawns to blame
& A Bm D A
But if your skin is coloured black well the dice are hidden in
& A A/G# F#m F#m/E D A
the minds of fools who twist the rules so you can never win
&A
(Chorus)
& A C#m F#m E D
Birmingham, Birmingham underneath your face
& F#m E D
there's nothing but a space
You're hollow.
& A D D A
(Verse 3)
& A Bm D A
The lighted sky begins to cry his shabby coat is bleak
& A A/G# F#m F#m/E G D
and homes with windows dressed in warmth and mouths that never speak
& A Bm D A
His mind is dead, the visions spread the past before his feet
& A A/G# F#m F#m/E D A
and thankfully he wears that dream that shields him from the street
& D D A
(Verse 4)
& A Bm D A
Goodnight my friend this is the end you'll never cry again
& A A/G# F#m F#m/E G D
You'll never have to smile away the bastards and the maimed
& A Bm D A
Is it too late or can you wait to take another's hand
& A A/G# F#m F#m/E D A
and walk together down that road that leads from Birmingham
& A
(Chorus)
& A C#m F#m E D
Birmingham, Birmingham underneath your face
& F#m E D
there's nothing but a space
Inside you
& A D D A
& A C#m F#m E D
Birmingham, Birmingham underneath your face
& F#m E D
there's nothing but a space
& Amaj7 Dmaj7
You're hollow.
(Outro)
&Amaj7 Dmaj7