Patti Smith, People Have the Power
transcribed on 19.10.2001 by Manhard Schlifni

Patti Smith’s lucid and vigorous “People Have the Power” song points to a creative and hopeful future, in which participatory direct democracy becomes the most dynamic force in the world. This is one of the most powerful and important political songs of our time.
 

Intro: 4x (D G)

[D] I was dreaming in my[G] dreaming
of an [D]  aspect bright and [G] fair
and my [D] sleeping it was [G] broken
but my [D] dream it lingered [G] near
in the  [F#m] form of shining [G] valleys
where the [D] pure air [G] recognized
and my [D] senses newly [G] opened
I [D] awakened to the [G] cry

Refrain:

that the  [F#] people / have the [G] power
to  [D] redeem / the work of [E] fools
upon the  [F#m] meek / the graces [G] shower
it's [D] decreed / the people [A] rule

 The people have the [D] power   [G]
 The people have the [Em] power [A]
 The people have the [D] power    [G]
 The people have the [Em]  power  [A]

Verse:

Vengeful aspects became suspect
and bending low as if to hear
and the armies ceased advancing
because the people had their ear
and the shepherds and the soldiers
lay beneath the stars
exchanging visions
and laying arms
to waste / in the dust
in the form of / shining valleys
where the pure air / recognized
and my senses / newly opened
I awakened / to the cry

Refrain

Where there were deserts
I saw fountains
like cream the waters rise
and we strolled there together
with none to laugh or criticize
and the leopard
and the lamb
lay together truly bound
I was hoping in my hoping
to recall what I had found
I was dreaming in my dreaming
god knows / a purer view
as I surrender to my sleeping
I commit my dream to you
 

Refrain

The power to [D] dream / to [G] rule
to [Em] wrestle the world from [A] fools
it's [D] decreed the people rule [G]
it's [Em] decreed the people rule [A]
 

Bridge:

LISTEN
[D] I believe every[G] thing we dream
[Em] can come to pass through our [A] union
[D] we can turn the [G] world around
we can [Em] turn the earth's [A] revolution

we have the power
People have the power ...