About the Song
Charlie recorded this song on his 2017 "Life & Love, Tears & Laughter" ablum.
Charlie was inspired to write this song, hearing Rev Al Sharpton speaking these words on August 23, 2013, the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Freedom & Jobs:
"“We’re on our way to North Carolina, we’re on our way to Texas, we’re on our way to Florida. And when they ask us for our voter ID, take out a photo of Medgar Evers; take out a photo of Goodman, Chaney & Schwerner; take out a photo of Viola Liuzzo – they gave their lives so we could vote. Look at this photo. It gives you the idea of who we are.”
Don’t tell me you don’t know me, I’ve voted here before
Since Truman snuck past Dewey I’ve been walking through that door
And now you want to see my ID? Well I’ve got one to show
I’ve carried it for 50 years: Three faces in a row
GD G (x2) / Am - D D7 / 1st / Am - D G (Am - D7 - )
The first is Andrew Goodman, James Chaney to his right
The third is Michael Schwerner & they brought me here tonight
They gave their lives so I could vote, they were murdered by the Klan
Look at this picture, then you’ll know exactly who I am
GD G (x2) / Am - D D7 / 1st / F Am D D7
(bridge) Back then it was the poll tax and the old grandfather clause
And now you’re getting cagey with your voter ID laws
You talk about election fraud? Let’s talk about Jim Crow
Don’t talk to me, you talk to these three faces in a row
Em A6 D Em / Am B7 AmB7 Em / C Am G Em / Gaug - D D7
You tell of law & order, why don’t you tell the truth?
There’s nothing that you wouldn’t do to keep me from that booth
Your law degree may hinder me, but this one thing I know
I’m not alone, my right to vote was paid for long ago
(tag) And the price was high: the lives of these three faces in a row
GD G (x2) / Am - D D7 / 1st / F Am D D7 / Em Am D7 G
words & chords by Charlie King
© 2014 author Pied Asp Music (BMI). All rights reserved. Used by permission.