It Isn't Nice

IT ISN’T NICE
By: Malvina Reynolds & Barbara Dane
Judy Collins
Key: Bb

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It is-n't nice to block the door-way, 
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It is-n't nice to go to jail,
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There are nic-er ways to do it,
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But the nice ways al-ways fail.
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It is-n't nice, it is-n't nice, 
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You told us once, you told us twice,
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But if that’s Free-dom's price,
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We don't   mind.

It isn't nice to carry banners 
Or to sit in on the floor, 
Or to shout our cry of Freedom 
At the hotel and the store.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice,
You told us once, you told us twice,
But if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
We have tried negotiations
And the three-man picket line,1
Mr. Charlie2 didn't see us 
And he might as well be blind.
Now our new ways aren't nice 
When we deal with men of ice,
But if that is Freedom's price, 
We don't mind.
How about those years of lynchings 
And the shot in Evers' back?
Did you say it wasn't proper,
Did you stand upon the track?
You were quiet just like mice,
Now you say we aren't nice, 
And if that is Freedom's price, 
We don't mind.
It isn't nice to block the doorway,
It isn't nice to go to jail,
There are nicer ways to do it
But the nice ways always fail.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice, 
But thanks for your advice, 
Cause if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.