Tom: C
Am F C Em
Am F C Em Am
[Verse 1]
Am
Excuses are easy
F
When everything’s on the line
C
These Montana magpies
Em
With their black and their white
Am
Feathers sitting
F
Side by side
C
Bring an unknown offering
Em
Of something we should try
Am
Was he a monster or a martyr
F
It depends on who you ask
C
But once it’s done
Em Am
You can’t take it back
[Chorus]
F
How can I keep my mind open
C
If my eyes are closed
Dm
It’s hard to hide the hate
F G
When there is no love to show
F
How can I nail a man up
C
For the color of his skin
Dm
Knock him down, make him pay
F G
For my father’s sin
C Em Am
I am starting to see
G F G C
We are all the color of the scars we keep
[Verse 2]
Am
“I’ll show you when you’re older”
F
My father always said
C
But he never did
Em
Get old enough for that
Am
Every sunday afternoon
F
Denim shirt, cowboy hat
C
Out in the sun
Em
Throwing shadows and an axe
Am
There’s a tool for every job
F
And a job for every man
C
Be careful
Em Am
What you put in your hands
[Chorus]
F
How can I keep my mind open
C
If my eyes are closed
Dm
It’s hard to hide the hate
F G
When there is no love to show
F
How can I nail a man up
C
For the color of his skin
Dm
Knock him down, make him pay
F G
For my father’s sin
C Em Am
I am starting to see
G F G C
We are all the color of the scars we keep
[Solo]
Am F C Em
Am F C Em
Am F C Em Am
[Verse 3]
Am
These times are hard
F
And it’s harder to heal
C
When where you were born
Em
Decides what you fear
Am
It’s time to be a brother
F
Not my father’s son
C
I was born to be a bigot
Em
But that don’t mean that I am one
Am
I put my boots on just the same
F
And when the day is done
C
I pray
Em Am
For you, my son
[Chorus]
F
How can I keep my mind open
C
If my eyes are closed
Dm
It’s hard to hide the hate
F G
When there is no love to show
F
How can I nail a man up
C
For the color of his skin
Dm
Knock him down, make him pay
F G
For my father’s sin
C Em Am
I am starting to see
G F G C
We are all the color of the scars we keep
[Outro]
G F G C
We are all the color of the scars we keep
