The Big Battle Chords & Lyrics by Johnny Cash
The Big Battle
guitar chords lyrics
Intro:
| A | A | A | A |
A
I think, sir, the battle is over;
E7
And the young soldier lay down his gun.
I'm tired of running for cover;
A
I'm certain the battle is done.
D A
O'er sea over there where we fought them
E7 A
It's quiet, for they've all gone away.
All left is the dead and the dyin',
E7 A
the blue lyin' long side the grave.
Interlude:
| G | G | G | G |
G
So, you think the battle is over,
D7
and you even lay down your gun.
You carelessly rise from your cover,
G
for you think the battle is done.
C G
Now, boy, hit the dirt, listen to me,
D7 G D7
for I'm still the one in command.
G
Get flat on the ground here beside me
D7 G
and lay your ear to the sand.
Interlude
| A | A | A | A |
A
Can you here the deafening rumble?
E7
Can you feel the trembling ground?
It's just the horses and wagons
A
that make such deafening sound.
D A
For ev'ry shot fired had an echo
E7 A E7
and ev'ry man killed wanted life.
A
There lies your friend, Jim McKinney.
E7 A
Can you take the news to his wife?
Interlude
| G | G | G | G |
G
No, son, the battle's not over;
D7
the battle has only begun.
The rest of the battle will cover
G
the part that has blackened the sun.
C G
The fight yet to come's not with cannons,
D7 G D7
Nor will the fight be hand to hand.
G
No one will regroup the forces;
D7 G
No charge will a gen'ral command.
Interlude
| A | A | A | A |
A
The battle will rage in the bosom
E7
of mother and sweetheart and wife.
Brother and sister and daughter
A
will grieve for the rest of their lives.
D A
Now, quiet, rise from your cover.
E7 A E7
Be thankful that God let you live,
A
to go fight the rest of the battle
E7 A
for those who gave all they could give.
Interlude
| G | G | G | G |
G
I see, sir, the battle's not over;
D7
the battle has only begun.
The rest of the battle will cover
G
this part that has blackened the sun.
C G
For though there's no sound of the cannon,
D7 G D7
and though there's no smoke in the sky,
G
I'm droppin' my gun and the saber,
D G
and ready for battle am I.
For more Johnny Cash chords, see www.unofficial-johnnycash.com!
