Johnny Cash - The Big Battle

intro :

| A | A | A | A |

A
i think , sir , the battle is over;
E7
and the young soldier lay down his gun .

i’m tired of running for cover;
A
i’m certain the battle is done .
D A
o’er sea over there where we fought them
E7 A
it’s quiet , for they’ve all gone away .

all left is the dead and the dyin’ ,
E7 A
the blue lyin’ long side the grave .

interlude :

| G | G | G | G |

G
so , you think the battle is over ,
D7
and you even lay down your gun .

you carelessly rise from your cover ,
G
for you think the battle is done .
C G
now , boy , hit the dirt , listen to me ,
D7 G D7
for i’m still the one in command .
G
get flat on the ground here beside me
D7 G
and lay your ear to the sand .

interlude

| A | A | A | A |

A
can you here the deafening rumble?
E7
can you feel the trembling ground?

it’s just the horses and wagons
A
that make such deafening sound .
D A
for ev’ry shot fired had an echo
E7 A E7
and ev’ry man killed wanted life .
A
there lies your friend , jim mckinney .
E7 A
can you take the news to his wife?

interlude

| G | G | G | G |

G
no , son , the battle’s not over;
D7
the battle has only begun .

the rest of the battle will cover
G
the part that has blackened the sun .
C G
the fight yet to come’s not with cannons ,
D7 G D7
nor will the fight be hand to hand .
G
no one will regroup the forces;
D7 G
no charge will a gen’ral command .

interlude

| A | A | A | A |

A
the battle will rage in the bosom
E7
of mother and sweetheart and wife .

brother and sister and daughter
A
will grieve for the rest of their lives .
D A
now , quiet , rise from your cover .
E7 A E7
be thankful that god let you live ,
A
to go fight the rest of the battle
E7 A
for those who gave all they could give .

interlude

| G | G | G | G |

G
i see , sir , the battle’s not over;
D7
the battle has only begun .

the rest of the battle will cover
G
this part that has blackened the sun .
C G
for though there’s no sound of the cannon ,
D7 G D7
and though there’s no smoke in the sky ,
G
i’m droppin’ my gun and the saber ,
D G
and ready for battle Am i .

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