C Am G Have you heard about Jack Johnson, hes a hero in this land. C C G I don't like to sing about boxing but I hope you'll understand. C G It was the 1st year they gave the heavyweight title to a black man, C G G and in 1908 it ain't so easy. Am G Am G He was born right after slavery died, right after reconstruction died, Am F G he was born right after none of that stuff really died. C G G It never died at all D G He would walk down the streets wearing gold and diamonds, D G always hold his head up high. C G Am And he never had to say yes sir or no sir to the white folks as they passed G him by, C G G or as he passed them by. F So the great white hope was pulled out of retirement G to nurse the bruised and damaged white pride. C Am D G C G And when Johnson beat him down there wasn't a man around at his side. G And when the fight was over, there was beatings and murders. C Am G The worst race riot this country has seen. C G And all because they didn't want a black man. C Am All because they didn't want a black man. C G C G They couldn't stand to see a black man winning in their ring. D G C Yeah, who said heroes have to be role models? D G C Who said heroes have to be role models? D G C G C Who said heroes have to be role models, anyway?