Top of the charts in 1968. (Capo 2nd fret.) #1. Em D Black day in July.. Em D G Em Motor City madness has touched the countryside. C Em C And through the smoke and cinders, you can hear it Em far and wide. C Em C The doors are quickly bolted and the children Em D Em locked inside...Black day in July.. #2. Em D Black day in July. Em D G Em And the soul of Motor City is bared across the land. C Em C Em As the book of law and order is taken in the hands C Em C Em of the sons of the fathers who were carried to this land. D Em Black day in July.. #3. Em D Black day in July. Em D G Em In the streets of Motor City is a deadly, silent sound. C Em C Em And the body of a dead youth lies stretched upon the ground, C Em C Em upon the filthy pavement, no reason can be found.. D Em Black day in July.. #4. Em D Black day in July. Em D G Em Motor City madness has touched the countryside. C Em C Em And the people rise in anger, and the streets begin to fill. C Em C And there's gunfire from the rooftops and the blood begins Em to spill.. D Em Black day in July. CHORUS: Em C Em In the mansion of the Governor, there's nothing that is C known for sure. Em C Em C The telephone is ringing and the pendulum is swinging. Em C Em C And they wonder how it happened and they really know the reason. Em C Em C And it wasn't just the temperature and it wasn't just the season.. D Em Black day in July.. #5. Em D Black day in July. Em D G Em Motor City's burning and the flames are running wild. C Em C Em They reflect upon the waters of the river and the lake, C Em C Em and everyone is listening and everyone's awake.. D Em Black day in July.. #6. Em D Black day in July. Em D G Em The printing press is turning and the news is quickly flashed. C Em C Em And you read your morning paper, and you sip your cup of tea. C Em C Em And you wonder just in passing, is it him or is it me? D Em Black day in July. CHORUS:#2. Em C Em In the office of the President, the deed is done, C the troops are sent. Em C Em There's really not much choice, you see, it looks to us C like anarchy. Em C Em And then the tanks go rolling in, to patch things up C as best they can. Em C Em C There is no time to hesitate, the speech is made, the dues can wait.. D Em Black day in July.. #7. Em D Black day in July. Em D G Em The streets of Motor City now are quiet and serene. C Em C But the shapes of gutted buildings strike terror to Em the heart. C Em C Em And you say how did it happen, and you say how did it start? C Em C Em Why can't we all be brothers, why can't we live in peace? C Em C Em But the hands of the have-nots keep falling out of reach.. D Em Black day in July.. #8. Em D Black day in July. Em D G Em Motor City madness has touched the countryside. C Em C And through the smoke and cinders, you can hear it Em far and wide. C Em C The doors are quickly bolted and the children Em D Em locked inside...Black day in July.. OUTRO: Em D Black day in July.. D Em Black day in July.. Em D Black day in July..(Fade.) A sixties smash from Kraziekhat.