In the Ghetto, written by Mac Davis and famously performed by Elvis Presley, details the poverty and despair within a Chicago ghetto, highlighting the endless cycle of poverty and violence.
Key: C
Introduction:C
C As the snow flies Em On a cold and gray Chicago mornin' FG A poor little baby child is born C In the ghetto C And his mama cries Em cause if there's one thing that she don't need FG It's another hungry mouth to feed C In the ghetto
G People, don't you understand FC The child needs a helping hand FGC Or he'll grow to be an angry young man some day G Take a look at you and me FC Are we too blind to see FEm Do we simply turn our heads DmG And look the other way
C Well, the world turns Em And a hungry little boy with a runny nose FG Plays in the street as the cold wind blows C In the ghetto C And his hunger burns Em So he starts to roam the streets at night F And he learns how to steal G And he learns how to fight C In the ghetto
G Then one night in desperation FC A young man breaks away FEm He buys a gun, he steals a car DmG He tries to run, but he don't get far
C And his mama cries Em As a crowd gathers round an angry young man FG Face down on the street with a gun in his hand C In the ghetto C And as her young man dies Em On a cold and gray Chicago mornin' FG Another little baby child is born C In the ghetto C And his mama cries