Tuning: E A D G B E

Wasn't That a Time? (Lee Hayes, Walter Lowenfels) Adapted from raymondfolk.com Arguably one of the most politically controversial songs ever written in America, this song was used as evidence by the House Committee on Un-American Activities in questioning Lee Hayes and Pete Seeger about their supposed support for the spread of Communism. Hayes pled the fifth, while Seeger refused to answer on First Amendment grounds, specifically about where and for whom he had played this song, and was found in contempt of the committee. The song has been sung by others, most notably Peter, Paul, and Mary, who recorded a lively version on their 1965 release "A Song Will Rise." What's left of Jefferson Airplane has done it live in the last decade or so. I don't believe any one version has every one of these verses, and there are live recordings of Pete Seeger doing it by himself that has at least one additional verse. This is an approximation of the way the song was usually performed. The walk-downs from C to A minor are more a feature of the Peter, Paul, and Mary version, but fit perfectly well with any Weavers recording. [Verse]

Our fathers ^Cbled at Valley F^Dorge. The snow was r^Ced with b^Dlood, Their faith was wa^Caa-^Bmaaa-a^Amaarm at Valley Fo^Drge, Their f^Gaaaa-^F#maaa-a^Emith was ^A7brother-ho^Dod.

[Chorus]

Wa^Dsn't that a time, wasn't that a t^Amime, A time to t^Dry the s^Coul of m^Dan, Wasn't that a ter^Crible time?^D

[Verse]

Brave men who di^Ced at Gettysb^Durg Now lie in so^Cldier's g^Draves, But there they s^Cteee-e^Bmee-e^Ammmed the slavery t^Dide, And t^Ghe-^F#meee-^Emere the f^A7aith was sa^Dved.

[Chorus]

Wa^Dsn't that a time, wasn't that a t^Amime, A time to t^Dry the s^Coul of m^Dan, Wasn't that a ter^Crible time?^D

[Verse]

The fascists c^Came with chains and w^Dar To prison ^Cus in h^Date. And many a ^Cgo-^Bmooo-^Amod man fought and d^Died To ^Gsa-^F#maaa-^Emave the s^A7tricken f^Daith.

[Chorus]

Wa^Dsn't that a time, wasn't that a t^Amime, A time to t^Dry the s^Coul of m^Dan, Wasn't that a ter^Crible time?^D

[Verse]

And now ag^Cain the madmen c^Dome, And should our v^Cic'try f^Dail? There is no ^Cvi-i^Bmii-i^Amc'try in a l^Dand Where f^Gre-^F#meee-^Emee men ^A7go to j^Dail.

[Chorus]

I^Dsn't this a time! Isn't this a t^Amime! A time to t^Dry the s^Coul of m^Dan, Isn't this a t^Cerrible t^Dime?

[Verse]

Our faith cries o^Cut we have no f^Dear We dare to r^Ceach our h^Dand To other ^Cne-^Bmeee-e^Amighbors far and n^Dear To f^Grie-^F#meee-e^Emnds in e^A7very la^Dnd.

[Chorus 3]

I^Dsn't this a time! Isn't this a t^Amime! A time to f^Dree the s^Coul of m^Dan! Isn't this a w^Conderful t^Dime!

[Two additional verses written by Lee Hays and sung at the 1980 Weavers reunion]

How ^Cmany times we'v^De gone to kill In fre^Cedom's hol^Dy name. ^CAnd^Bm chil^Amdren d^Died to save the pride ^GOf r^F#mulers^Em without^A7 shame.^D

In^Cformers took th^Deir Judas pay ^CTo tell th^Deir sorry tale ^GAnd ^F#mgangs^Em in Cong^A7ress ha^Dd their way ^GAnd ^F#mfree ^Emsouls we^A7nt to j^Dail

The Weavers - Wasnt that a time