RIGHT HERE IN AMERICA

Right Here In America    (L. Norman)
From the album Street Level
Submitted by W.G. Hulbert

Capo on 1st fret
Intro:  G chord

G                                    D          
There are Christians in Russia, they meet underground.
       C                                 G
In China, they're killed when they're found.
G                                 D
And in Cuba the Christians live up in the hills
     C                        G                    
Because it's not safe in the town.


C                                   G      
And to think it might happen right here in America,
D                            G
I know you think it's not true.
C                                      G
But it's happening to Christians right here in America,
D                         G
Wait till it happens to you.


G                                D
The Christians in Berkeley are passing out Bibles, and food to the hungry,
C                                           G
They're hoping to help out the people this way.
G                                          D
But there are threats on the lives of their leaders and wives,
C                        G
They're not welcome to stay.


C                                   G
And to think it might happen right here in America,
D                          G
Maybe you think it's not true.
C                                       G
If you think it's not happening right here in America,
D                        G
Wait till it happens to you.

G                                         D
There's an underground church and it's following Jesus,
C                              G
And hoping to meet people's needs.
G                                    D
But we don't have the time to build nice little churches,
D                                 C                          G
Besides we don't need to, we're holding our church in the streets.
G                                    D
And we are passing out leaflets and underground pamphlets
C                        G
From Buffalo to Monterey.
G                                  D
And we're talking 'bout Jesus and all of the sudden
C                          G
We're arrested and taken away.


C                       G
So I ask you America where do you stand?
D                                                                                    
You're people are starving, and beaten, and they're raped,
D                                    G
and they're dying in jailcells, so what are your plans?
C                                G                                          
I'm not talking to Congress, or you politicians, or Panthers, or Muslims, or Nixon or Birch,
          D                        G
I'm addressing this song to the Church.


G                                      D
Cause I've been in your churches and sat in your pews,
D                                    C                        G
And heard sermons on just how much money you'll need for the year.
G                                     D
And I've heard you make reference to mexicans, chinamen, niggers, and jews,
D                    C                       G
And I gather you wish we would all disappear.
G                                         D
And you call yourselves Christians when really you're not,
C                                   G
You're living your life as you please.
G                                  D 
If you're really a Christian then put down yourself,
C                           G
And follow wherever God leads.


C                                G
I'm not talking religion, I'm talking 'bout Jesus,
D                           G
Put all your plans on the shelf.
C                                        G
Let's stop marching for peace, and start marching for Jesus,
D                              G
And peace will take care of itself.


G                                     D
Well I pray that we Christians will get off our sofas,
C                             G
And stand up for what we believe.
G                            D
The time is too short and Christ is returning,
C                          G
We'd better get ready to leave.


C                              G
We who are Christians should turn on the light
D                                      G
So the truth will shine bright as the day.
C                                     G
Jesus will come like a thief in the night,
              D                       G
And He'll steal all who love Him away.


G                                     D
There are Christians in Russia, they meet underground.
C                                         G
In China, they're killed when they're found.
G                                D
And in Cuba the Christians live up in the hills,
C                              G
Because it's not safe in the town.


C                                    G
And to think it might happen right here in America,
G                                             D                     G                                                                          
I see you shaking your heads and I hear you saying it just can't be true.
C                               G                 
But it's happened to me right here in America,
D                         C G
Wait till it happens to you.