D    A            Bm
I've searched the open sky
F#m          G
To find the reason why
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord
D               A
The color of my skin
Bm      F#m            G
Is said to be an awful sin
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord

[Interlude]
D A Bm F#m G D G A

[Verse]
A                 Bm
No, I cannot understand
F#m              G
No, I can never, never understand
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord
D           A
I've got to live and give
Bm             F#m
Much more than I can give
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord

[Bridge]
D   A   Bm  F#m  G   D   G   A
Oh why, why why, why why why Lord

[Verse]
D       A              Bm
In this world it is no secret
F#m                  G
All the problems and hatred
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord
D            A
I just can't seem to find why
Bm               F#m
My every move is so unseen
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord

[Bridge]
D   A   Bm  F#m  G   D   G   A
Oh why, why why, why why why Lord

[Verse]
D        A          Bm
Why this lonely man must try
F#m                   G
And can have no peace of mind
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord
D                 A
I just can't help but cry
Bm        F#m
The tears won't stay inside
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord
            D        A
I've got to live and give
     Bm              F#m
Much more than I can give
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord
            D        A
I've got to live and give
     Bm              F#m
Much more than I can give
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord
D          A              Bm
I feel the weight of everlasting hate
       F#m                    G
But my strength will not grow faint
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord
D             A
I'll wear the chains
   Bm             F#m
So every man must see the change
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord
D     A          Bm
I ask no special kindness
F#m
I ask no special deed
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord
D    A         Bm
Only peace and justice
        F#m
Forever more
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord

Why why, why why, why Lord

[Interlude]
D A Bm F#m G D G A  (x2)

[Verse]
D  A             Bm
Is it so much to ask
        F#m
Even of you
G              D
To be the same as the
G        A
Majority
D         A
Why is it that I must suffer
Bm             F#m
Without even a cause
G          D
And no one cares
         G   A
Oh Lord, why God
            D        A
I've got to live and give
     Bm              F#m
Much more than I can give
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord
            D        A
I've got to live and give
     Bm              F#m
Much more than I can give
D        G   A
Oh Lord, why Lord

[Outro]
D   A   Bm  F#m  G   D   G   A
Oh why, why why, why why why Lord