Ring, ring, I’ve got to sing (1966)
instrumental
intro = verse 1
G C D7 G
1. Oh, don't cry, my baby, don't cry all the while,
C D7 G
don't
cry, my baby, just give me a smile.
G C
- D7 G
2. Seen my daddy, die in the war,
G
C - D7 G
seen
my mamma, die cryin'
for.
G C D7
G
Ring-a, a-ring-a, but I've got to sing,
C D7
G
a-ring-a, a-ring-a, but I've got to
sing.
G C
D7
G
3. They call me a hounddog, they call me a swine.
G C D7
G
it's
all because of my color, for their war though I'm fine.
+ CHORUS
G C - D7 - G
+ Dee dum doo da
dee day ...
(2x)
G C D7 G
4. They're talkin' 'bout freedom of religion
and race,
G C
D7
G
but
if you're a Negro they slap you in the face.
+ CHORUS
G C D7 G
5. So what's the use to fightin' for that
sacred democracy,
G
C D7 G
when
Ku Klux Klan murderers are going scot-free.
+ CHORUS +
instrumental = CHORUS
G C D7 G
6. But I'm still happy, so don't cry, my babe,
G C D7 G
together
we'll strive for bein' free people someday.
G C D7 G
Ring-a a-ring-a, so we've got to sing,
G C D7 G
a-ring-a a-ring-a,
together we’ll sing.
G C - D7 - G
+ Dee dum doo doo
dee dum ... (4x)
G C
- D7 - G
+ Mm mm....
(2x)
G C - D7 - G
+ Dee dum dee dum
... (2x)
(orig. = capo 2nd) (Ferre Grignard)