| Em | G | D |
| A boy of 14 years got a taste of southern law |
| Am | Em |
| He saw his friend a hanging and his color was his crime |
| Em | G | D |
| And the blood upon his jacket left a brand upon his mind |
| Am | Em |
| CHORUS: Too many martyrs and too many dead |
| Am | D | G |
| Too many lies too many empty words were said |
| Am D G (Em optional) |
| Too many times for too many angry men |
| Am | D | G |
| Oh let it never be again |
| Am | D | Em |