D Bm G D
They came for him in the morning, an hour before dawning
D Bm G A
The pale white moon was waning in the African sky
D Bm G D
The cell door flew wide open, they stood looking at him
D Bm G A D
He saw no mercy in their hearts, no pity in their eyes
[Verse 2]
D Bm G D
As they took him and they bound him, tied his trembling hands behind him
D Bm G A
He felt his courage leave him, his manhood disappear
D Bm G D
His legs would not support him, so from the cell they dragged him
D Bm G A D
He sobbed and screamed and cursed them in his loneliness and fear
[Chorus]
D A D
Chains, chains, chains
G A D
How many souls have died in freedom's name
G A D Bm
To some it is a way of life, to others just a word
G A D Bm
To some it is a snow-white dove, to some a bloody sword
G A Bm G A D
But until the last chains fall, freedom will make slaves of us all
[Verse 3]
D Bm G D
With faces closed and hidden the white guards walked beside him
D Bm G A
Indifferent to his pleading - they'd been down this path before
D Bm G D
But other eyes were watching, other ears were listening
D Bm G A D
Other hearts beat with him in his final desperate hour
[Verse 4]
D Bm G D
From the darkness of that prison came the sound of his brothers singing
D Bm G A
Courage, their voices told him, you do not walk alone
D Bm G D
From their cells beyond the shadow he heard their voices echo
D Bm G A D
As in love and pride and sorrow they sang his spirit home
[Chorus]
D A D
Chains, chains, chains
G A D
How many souls have died in freedom's name
G A D Bm
To some it is a way of life, to others just a word
G A D Bm
To some it is a snow-white dove, to some a bloody sword
G A Bm G A D
But until the last chains fall, freedom will make slaves of us all
[Verse 5]
D Bm G D
And their song of hope and freedom, it rang inside that prison
D Bm G A
It beat against the iron bars and crashed against the stone
D Bm G D
As in their fear and hate they hung him, the last sound that filled his being
D Bm G A D
Was his brothers singing, singing his spirit home
[Outro]
D A D
Courage, brother, you do not walk alone
D A D
We shall walk with you and sing your spirit home
