Speaker’s corner (2025)
F - C - G -
D (2x)
A E
1. I have a newfound sympathy for the madman
in the square
G D
who rants and
raves his rhetoric into
the midday air.
A E
His heartfelt pleas and arguments but the sense no longer there,
G D
the sound ascends to heaven like the incense
in a prayer.
G C D
Em
The speaker's corner, there it stands in politics or song
G C D
for trying
everything you feel whether
it is right or wrong.
+ F
- C - G - D
A E
2. The doomsday prophet whose words have all
come true,
G D
the naysaying soothsayer, so cynical and blue.
A E
Has now become more like a child bewildered and confused,
G D
but I keep on
believing, it's
what I know how to do.
G C D Em
The speaker's corner, there it stands in politics and song,
G C - D
when it's time to
tell your tale don't wait
too long.
+ F
- C - G - D (2x)
A
E
3. All those full of
wind and air who howl and rant and rave,
G D
screaming
out distorted facts about
the souls they save.
A E
Promising the miracles and pocketing the cash,
G D
pretending they
have principles, preaching
only ash.
G
C
D Em
And
it griefs me when I see people on parade,
G
C D
parroting the
things they hear never think to be afraid.
G C D Em
The speaker's corner, there it stands in politics and song,
G C D
I guess we better use it now before we find it gone.
+ F -
C - G - D - F - C - G
(Suzanne Vega)