Johnny Cash - Man In Black

C
well , you wonder why i always dress in black
D
why you never see bright colors on my back?
F C
and why does my appearance
F C
seem to have a somber tone?
D G7
well , there’s a reason for the things that i have on .

C
i wear the black for the poor and the beaten down
D
livin’ in the hopeless , hungry side of town
F C
i wear it for the prisoner
F C
who has long paid for his crime
D G7
but is there because he’s a victim of the times .

i wear the black for those , who’ve never read
or listened to the words , that jesus said
about the road to happiness , through love and charity
why , you’d think he’s talking straight to you and me .

well , we’re doin’ mighty fine , i do suppose
in our streak – of – lightnin’ cars and fancy clothes
but just so we’re reminded of , the ones who are held back
up front there oughta be a man in black .

i wear it for the sick and lonely old
for the reckless ones , whose bad trip left them cold
i wear the black in mournin’ , for the lives that could have been
each week we lose a hundred fine young men .

and i wear it for the thousands who have died
believin’ that the lord was on their side
i wear it for another hundred thousand who have died
believin’ that we all were on their side .

well , there’s things that never will be right , i know
and things need changin’ ev’rywhere you go
but ’til we start to make a move , to make a few things right
you’ll never see me wear a suit of white .

C
i’d love to wear a rainbow every day
D
and tell the world that ev’rything’s ok
F C F C
but i’ll try to carry off a little darkness on my back
G7 C
’til things are brighter i’m the man in black .