G                   
 Books are burning
          D                      E/G#   
 In the main square, and I saw there
           Am          D7
 The fire eating the text
            G
 Books are burning
          D
 In the still air
               E
 And you know where they burn books
 Am          D7
 People are next

[1st Chorus]
 
 Em        A           F                  G/F
 I believe the printed word should be forgiven
 Em       A           F     G
 Doesn't matter what it said
 Em       A               F                G/F  
 Wisdom hotline from the dead back to the living
 Bb           F             C           D
 Key to the larder for your heart and head

 [2nd Verse]
              G 
 Books are burning
            D               E/G#      
 In our own town, watch us turn 'round
               Am      D7
 And cast our glances elsewhere
           G
 Books are burning
         D
 In the playground
           Em                Am            D7
 Smell of burnt book is not unlike human hair

 [2nd Chorus]

   Em         A          F                  G/F         
 I believe the printed word is more than sacred
  Em         A               F G 
 Beyond the gauge of good or bad
 Em         A                 F                 G
 The human right to let your soul fly free and naked
 Bb        F                C           D 
 Above the violence of the fearful and sad

 [Bridge] 

  E              G
 The church of matches
 Bb          F7             D7
 Anoints in ignorance with gasoline
 E              G
 The church of matches
 Bb             F7              Dsus4  
 Grows fat by breathing in the smoke of dreams
       D7 
 It's quite obscene

 [3rd Verse]

           G
 Books are burning
            D               E/G# 
 More each day now, and I pray now
                Am            D7
 You boys will tire of these games
           G
 Books are burning
         D                   E/G#                         
 I hope somehow, this will allow
           Am             D7
 A phoenix up from the flames