don mclean
From Don McLean's 1973 album "Homeless Brother", but better performed live on "Solo", recorded in Manchester/Oxford, England October 1973 and released October 1976. According to reliable databases, this song has never been officially covered.
In some contexts, "big man" can be used as slang for a leader, especially in illegal activities. The phrase "great big" is an informal way to emphasize things. What McLean really meant with this? Well, life always troubles you. It's a battle; a struggle for life. Small and big problems, real or imagined. Walk tall, but carry a big stick.
rust on your fingers • you've got rubbles at your feet
keep the home fires burning but look out for the heat
cause there's a man at the window who knows just what you think
and there's that water boy behind you who won't give you a drink
cause it's a hard, hard times • no easy roads in sight
it takes a great big man to make a great big fight
when it comes to dying • no matter what you tell
they'll let you into heaven cause you've lived your life in hell
well they've got no way to reward you but to let those breezes blow
and you've got nothing left to do but to let your anger show
cause it's a hard, hard times • no easy roads in sight
it takes a great big man to make a great big fight
think about your baby • think about your wife
think about your banker who's trying to take your life
think about this planet that's rolling through the night
then tell me can you turn your back to such a great big fight?
you've got your muscles big man • you've got the power
but you're getting weaker with each passing hour
just like flame in the rain • like a light in the night
well if it's you that must stay then it is you that must fight
cause it's a hard hard times • your future isn't bright
it takes a great big man to make a great big fight
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
E [E...E6...E] rust on your fingers you've got rubbles at your feet E [E...E6...E] keep the home fires burning but look out for the heat A7 [A7...A7+6...A7] cause there's a man at the window who knows just what you think E [E...E6...E] and there's that water boy behind you who won't give you a drink B7 cause it's a hard hard times no easy roads in sight E E7 A7 ⨂ A7 G E it takes a great big man to make a great big fight A7 E A7 E think about your baby think about your wife A7 E F# B7 think about your banker who's trying to take your life A7 E A7 think about this planet that's rolling through the night B7 ⨂ B7 ⨂ A7 B11 ... then tell me can you turn your back to such a great big fight?
