Notes:
- G* denotes a quick walk down from G (that is, G F# E in the bass)
- Almost every D is really an alternating D and Dsus2
[Intro]
D A G* D
[Chorus 1]
D A G* D
A church is bu - u - u - rning
D G D
The flames rise higher
F#m Em
Like hands that are praying
G Asus4 A
Aglow in the sky
D
Like hands that are praying
G* D
The fire is sayin’
G* D
You can burn down my churches
A7 D
But I shall be free
[Verse 1]
Em D
Three hooded men through the back roads did creep
Em D
Torches in their hands while the village lies asleep
G* D C D
Down to the church where, just hours before
G* D
Voices were singing, and
G* D
Hands were beating, and
G* D A D
Saying, "I won't be a slave anymore"
[Chorus 2]
D A G* D
A church is bu - u - u - rning
D G D
The flames rise higher
F#m Em
Like hands that are praying
G Asus4 A
Aglow in the sky
D
Like hands that are praying
G* D
The fire is sayin’
G* D
You can burn down my churches
A7 D
But I shall be free
[Verse 2]
Em D
Three hooded men, their hands lit the spark
Em D
And they faded in the night, and they vanished in the dark
G* D G* D
And in the cold light of morning, there is nothing that remains
G* D A D
But the ashes of a Bible and a can of kerosene
[Chorus 3]
D A G* D
A church is bu - u - u - rning
D G D
The flames rise higher
F#m Em
Like hands that are praying
G Asus4 A
Aglow in the sky
D
Like hands that are praying
G* D
The fire is sayin’
G* D
You can burn down my churches
A7 D
But I shall be free
[Verse 3]
Em D
A church is more than just timber and stone
Em D
And freedom is a dark road when you're walking it alone
G* D G* D
But the future is now, and it's time to take a stand
G* D A D
So the lost bells of freedom can ring out in my land
[Chorus 4]
D A G* D
A church is bu - u - u - rning
D G D
The flames rise higher
F#m Em
Like hands that are praying
G Asus4 A
Aglow in the sky
D
Like hands that are praying
G* D
The fire is sayin’
G* D Bm
You can burn down my church - es
G A D
But I - I - I shall be free