A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
<< Back to Lord Kitchener Song List
Version 1--------------------------------------------------------------------------- If You're Not White You're Black – Lord Kitchener --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Aldwyn Roberts (= Lord Kitchener) Released in 1953. Tabbed by: maguri Tuning: Standard Some background information: -kurzelinks.de/Race-Rights-and-Riots-in-Britain-and-the-United-States --.bl.uk/windrush/articles/calypso-and-the-birth-of-british-black-music --.jstor.org/stable/2934495 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHORDS E-A-D-G-B-e D6 x-x-0-7-7-7 Am7 x-0-2-0-1-0 G/B x-2-0-0-0-3 A13 x-0-2-0-2-2 D9 x-5-4-5-5-x D7-9 x-5-4-5-4-x --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Intro] | D | D | G D | G D6 | (hook) [Verse 1] G Am7 G/B Em7 Your father is an African Am7 D D7 Your mother may be Norwegian G B7 Em7 E7 You pass me, wouldn’t say goodnight A13 D9 D7-9 Feeling you are really white Gmaj7 Am7 G/B Em7 Your skin may be a little pink Am7 D D7 And that’s the reason why you think G B7 Em7 E7 That the complexion of your face A13 D7 Can hide you from the negro race D D7 D7 D7 D7 No, you can never get away from the fact D7 G D7 G D If you’re not white you’re considered black | D | D | G D | G D6 | (hook) [Verse 2] G Am7 G/B Em7 You jug along the thoroughfare Am7 D D7 You shake our waist like Fred Astaire G B7 Em7 E7 And when you see me passing by A13 D9 D7-9 You watch me with a crooked eye G Am7 G/B Em7 And yet, you speak to Mr. Bee [?] Am7 D D7 Who does not want your company G B7 Em7 E7 In ev’ry way you endeavour A13 D9 To show yourself superior D7 D7 D7 D7 D7 No, you can never get away from the fact D7 G D7 G D If you’re not white you’re considered black | D | D | G D | G D6 | (hook) [Verse 3] G Am7 G/B Em7 Your negro hair is obvious Am7 D D7 You make it more conspicuous G B7 Em7 E7 You use all sorts of Vaseline A13 D9 D7-9 To make out you are European G Am7 G/B Em7 You speak with exaggeration Am7 D D7 To make the greatest impression G B7 Em7 E7 That you were taught apparently A13 D9 At Cambridge University D7 D7 D7 D7 D7 No, you can never get away from the fact D7 G D7 G D If you’re not white you’re considered black | D | D | G D | G D6 | (hook) [Verse 4] G Am7 G/B Em7 You hate the name of Africa Am7 D D7 The land of your great-grandfather G B7 Em7 E7 The country where you can’t be wronged [?] A13 D9 D7-9 The home where you really belong G Am7 G/B Em7 You rather be amongst the whites Am7 D D7 Than stick up for your father’s rights G B7 Em7 E7 And very awful from your face [?] A13 D9 To think you’re from the negro race D D7 D7 D7 D7 No, you can never get away from the fact D7 G D7 G D If you’re not white you’re considered black | D | D | G D | G G (hook)