Lyr/Chords Req: Small Rebellion (James Keelaghan)

Subject: Chords for Keelaghan's Small Rebellion?
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 12:28 PM

Anybody got 'em? I've searched the JK threads and that song doesn't seem to be covered.
Help would be much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Chords for Keelaghan's Small Rebellion?
From: GUEST,Is there a place to
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 12:39 PM

Subject: RE: Chords for Keelaghan's Small Rebellion?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 12:40 PM

Sorry. Don't know what I did there.

Is there a place to find the lyrics? Hear the song?

Subject: RE: Chords for Keelaghan's Small Rebellion?
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 12:58 PM

James Keelaghan Lyrics & Videos Video window open on the right, and you can get to the song if you click the forward "next track". I think it's about 5 or 6 in.

Subject: Lyr Add: SMALL REBELLION (James Keelaghan)
From: GUEST,guest (original poster)
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 12:59 PM

I have the lyrics (see below).

Not sure if the recording is posted anywhere--I haven't found it.


SMALL REBELLION by James Keelaghan From the album of the same name.

Well, friends, hereby hangs a tale, the year was nineteen thirty-one
A good job digging for the king, while there's so many on the bum
I'd done my time across in France, fought at Moreaux and at Vimy
Done my service for my country, thought I'd put the guns behind me
I should have known it from the start, peace may be signed between two nations
But for protection of your rights, my friends, it's always battle stations
And so it was the union boys set up shop there in the coalfields
Said that they would be our voice, said that they would be our shield

They said just a little march across the town and past the station
Some fine strong speakers and a band—a fairly peaceful congregation
Let them know that we were strong, show them we could be united
Show them we had found our voice and that we would not be frightened
I should have known it from the start, workers marching makes them nervous
I saw no menace in our group, peaceful of heart and stout of purpose
The local peelers were forewarned, it's sure as hell they were forearmed
How could we cause them any trouble? How could they be so alarmed?

Armed with truncheons and with guns they took their line across the road
Their faces cast in stone, I heard the call to aim and load
Saw the deadly muzzle flash, saw the people drop around me
Took a bullet to the leg, my friends, and that is how they found me
I should have known it from the start, should have seen the trouble coming
Seen the ugly twist of fate, turned my tail and started running
Known when push has come to shove and it's a heavy hand that feeds you
That the job that was your life becomes the job that slowly beats you

No use, no use, for the ranting of the government men
No use, for their fine print and their fountain pen
No use, no use in me denying, this small rebellion's over but I'm leaving here unbowed

And when the dust had finally cleared, when all dissent had been put down
I packed my life in two worn bags, caught the train and left the town
In this case justice sure was blind, at least blind to human suffering
They said they'd put us in our place and I guess they weren't bluffing
I should have known if from the start, it's not the truth that really matters
The real world tramples on such things, leaves your mental state in tatters
Makes the blowing prairie dust seem like it is stationary
Makes the proudest person humble and the strongest person wary
Makes the proudest person humble and the strongest person wary

Subject: RE: Chords for Keelaghan's Small Rebellion?
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 01:02 PM

Never mind about the link I posted above. It says "Small Rebellion" but he plays "Hillcrest Mine".

Subject: Chords Add: SMALL REBELLION (James Keelaghan)
From: GUEST,Zeke
Date: 14 Jul 14 - 07:00 AM

Hey, thanks for the lyrics above. I can supply the chords -- this song is quite simple to play. Most of it goes like this:

G                         C                                  G
My friends, hereby hangs a tale, the year was nineteen thirty-one
                           C                                  G
A good job digging for the king, while there's so many on the bum
                           E-      D                        C
I'd done my time across in France, fought at Moreaux and at Vimy
                      C                   D             G
Done my service for my country, thought I'd put the guns behind me

The tune only changes during the bridge:

F C       G
No use, no use, for the ranting of the government men
F C             G
No use, for their fine print and their fountain pen
F C       G
No use, no use in me denying,
    F                              C
This small rebellion's over but I'm leaving here unbowed

And that's it! You can fiddle around between verses, but like any good ballad, all you really have to do is strum it.

This is my personal favourite Keelaghan song. A bit of Canadian history (the Estevan Riot), lots of memorable lines, and what's got to be his bounciest, catchiest tune ever.