SCAPEGOATS

(Eamon Cowan /Christy Moore)

C                          F                         C  
There were five men playing poker on the Heysham train.  
C                   G  
Fate was dealing them a cruel hand.  
C                 F  C  
Hugh Callaghan was walking home through the evening rain  
C    G   C  
Not knowing what lay in store for him.  
 
C     F   C  
You'll find traces of nitro on cigarettes and matches.  
C     G  
On formica tabletops and on decks of playin' cards.  
C     F  C  
When forensic found traces on the hands of these six men,  
C       G   C  
The police drove up from Birmingham, they were saying the case was closed.  
 
C         F    C  
Have you ever seen the mugshots that were taken  
C   G  
after forty eight hours in custody?  
C    F   C  
Battered and bruised, haunted looks upon their faces  
C        G  C  
The judge accepted they confessed willingly.  
F   G   C  
Please take another look at what you see.  
 
C    F  C  
If you tell me my family are being terrorised.  
C      G  
Keep me awake for six days and nights, confused and terrified.  
C         F         C  
In the lonely dark of night I'll swear that black is white.  
C    G   C  
If you let me just lay down and close my eyes.  
F       G        C  
I'll sign anything if you let me close my eyes.  
 
F           C  
Scales of justice balance up your act.  
C    G  
Am I talking to myself or to the wall?  
C    F   C  
Hugh Callaghan, Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, Johnny Walker,  
C   G  F  
Billy Power, Dick McIlkenny scapegoats all.  
F        G  C  
For sixteen years they've been talking to the wall.