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Chicago Lyrics

Though your brother's bound and gagged
And they've chained him to a chair
Won't you please come to Chicago
Just to sing

In a land that's known as freedom
How can such a thing be fair
Won't you plaese come to Chicago
For the help we can bring

We can change the world -
Re-arrange the world
It's dying - to get better

Politicians sit yourself down,
There's nothing for you here
Won't you please come to Chicago
For a ride

Don't ask Jack to help you
Cause he'll turn the other ear
Won't you please come to Chicago
Or else join the other side

We can change the world -
Re-arrange the world
It's dying - if you believe in justice
It's dying - and if you believe in freedom
It's dying - let a man live it's own life
It's dying - rules and regulations, who needs them
Open up the door

Somehow people must be free
I hope the day comes soon
Won't you please come to Chicago
Show your face

From the bottom to the ocean
To the mountains of the moon
Won't you please come to Chicago
No one else can take your place

We can change the world - (Yes we can change the world)
Re-arrange the world
It's dying - if you believe in justice
It's dying - and if you believe in freedom
It's dying - let a man live it's own life
It's dying - rules and regulations, who needs them
Open up the door

We can change the world
We can change the world
You can cange the world
Song Info
Submitted by
kirkcrabb On Feb 08, 2007
3 Meanings

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Cover art for Chicago lyrics by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

This song is about the demonstrators who were killed by the police in Chicago during a protest against the Vietnam war.

My Interpretation
Cover art for Chicago lyrics by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Fotunately no one was killed during the police riot outside the Democratic Party National Convention at Chicago in 1969 but many were injured and arrested.

The 'brother' who was ''bound and gagged and chain to a chair" was Black Panther leader Bobby Seale. This was during the trials held later.

When this is sung in concert they usually sing 'Throw them out the door" instead of "Open up the door". It seems to make more sense and the recorded version was probably to appease the record company.

Cover art for Chicago lyrics by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

In concert the line, "Rules and regulations, who needs them? Open up the door!" is changed to go: "Rules and regulations, who needs them? Throw them out the door!" This is a much stronger change in a great song.

 
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