featuring Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Buddy and Julie Miller, and the Jenkins
written by Rodney Crowell
CAPO II
INTRO: D Bm D Bm
CHORUS:
DBm
Oh Mother, oh Father, in our time of fear
GBm
Grant us the wisdom, Your message for to hear
DBm
Send down Your angel band to fill our hearts with power
GBmBm/A
Oh Mother, oh Father, in our darkest hour
VERSE 1 (Emmylou Harris):
DD/Bm
Ignorance is the enemy, and it fills your head with lies
GBm
It's the kind of bliss that can make you miss the very truth before your eyes
DD/F#Bm
It's not who's right or wrong, weak or strong, black or white you see
GBmA
Ignorance is the enemy, and it's keeping you from me
CHORUS:
DBm
Forgive me all my pettiness, forgive me all my grief
GBmBm/A
Forgive me for I know not how to live this life I lead
VERSE 2 (John Prine):
DD/Bm
Ignorance IS the enemy, let's set the record straight
GBm
If history must repeat itself, why worry while you wait
DDBm#
It's a perfect blue and beautiful world, you treat with such disdain
GBmA
Ignorance is the enemy, and it can only bring ya pain
CHORUS:
DBm
Forgive me all my vanity, forgive me my conceit
GBmD
Forgive me when I'm crawlin' like a beggar at your feet
VERSE 3 (Rodney Crowell):
DDBm#
Ignorance is the enemy, and it wields a mighty sword
GBm
It can cut you down in a blaze of glory, it can nail you to a board
DD/Bm
If mercy and compassion only had a chance, it could fill these holes we've dug
GBmA
But ignorance is the enemy, and it's workin' like a drug
CHORUS:
DBm
Oh Mother, oh Father, in our time of fear
GBm
Grant us the wisdom, Your message for to hear
DBm
Send down Your angel band to fill our hearts with power
GBm
Oh Mother, oh Father, in our darkest hour
Bm Bm/A Bm (2x)