C G 96 degrees Am in the shade C G real hot Am in the shade Am G said it was 96 degrees in the shade Am G ten thousand soldiers on parade Am G taking i and i to meet a big fat boy Am sent from overseas G the queen employ Am excellency before you i come G with my representation Am G you know where i'm coming from Am you caught me on the loose fighting to be free G now you show me a noose on the cotton tree Am entertainment for you G E martyrdom for me C G Am 96 degrees in the shade C G Am real hot in the shade like the verse: some may suffer and some may burn but i know that one day my people will learn as sure as the sun shines, way up in the sky today i stand here a victim the truth is i'll never die 96 degrees in the shade real hot in the shade