Gordon Bok – How Can I Keep From Singing (Guitar)

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This version is how Gordon Bok, Ann Mayo Muir, and Ed Trickett perform it (as does Pete Seeger). [Intro] C [Verse 1]
             C             F
My life goes on in endless song

 C                  G
Above earth's lamen-tation

           C                    F
I hear the real, though far off hymn

     C         G      C
That hails the new creation

 C               G       C
Above the tumult and the strife

  C              G
I hear the music ringing

   C              F     C
It sounds an echo in my soul

    Am    G         C
How can I keep from singing?
[Verse 2]
                 C              F
What through the tempest loudly roars

  C                  G
I hear the truth, it liveth

             C                 F
Although the darkness round me close

      C      G        C
Songs in the night it giveth

   C                  G      C
No storm can shake my inmost calm

      C                G
While to that rock I'm clinging

      C               F          C
Since love is lord of heaven and earth

    Am    G         C
How can I keep from singing?
[Verse 3]
             C                  F
When tyrants tremble, sick with fear,

    C                      G
And hear their death-knell ringing,

               C                  F
When friends rejoice both far and near,

    C     G         C
How can I keep from singing?

   C               G       C
In prison cell and dungeon vile

    C                    G
Our thoughts to them are winging.

     C                    F   C
When friends by shame are undefiled,

    C     G         C
How can I keep from singing?
[Verse 1]
             C             F
My life goes on in endless song

 C                  G
Above earth's lamen-tation

           C                    F
I hear the real, though far off hymn

     C         G      C
That hails the new creation

 C               G       C
Above the tumult and the strife

  C              G
I hear the music ringing

   C              F     C
It sounds an echo in my soul

    Am    G         C
How can I keep from singing?