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The Onion Song Tab

by Marvin Gaye


...THE ONION SONG... by Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell
--------------------...............................

*from 'Easy' (1970)*

*N.B* (Although the song is credited to,
Tammy Terrell, the singer was so sick,
During the recording, due to a brain tumor,
That Valerie Simpson sang the lead instead).


*CAPO 1st FRET*

(Original Key: G#)


Chorus 1:

                       
The world is just a great big onion.

(Marvin):

                                                
And pain and fear, are the spices that make you cry.
                                        
Oh, and the only way to get rid, of this great big onion;

(Valerie):

                                  
Is to plant love seeds, until it dies, uh huh.

Verse 1:

(Marvin):

                                  
Hey world! We got a great big job to do.
                                            
 Yeah, we need you and every-body pull us through.

Bridge 1:

                            
Don't you know we've got to clean up this place,
                   
And reach for a higher goal, yeah.
                   
(Valerie): Yes, we do now.

                             
We gotta be headstrong, about rightin' the wrong,
                            
And make a mountain of happy souls, oh,
         
(Marvin): Oh...

Chorus 2:

                       
The world is just a great big onion,

(Marvin):

                                            
And I don't care; it's the face people like to wear.
                  
(Valerie): Yes it is now.
                                        
Oh, and the only way to get rid, of this great big onion;

(Valerie):
                                        
 Every single soul's, got to do their share, uh huh.

Verse 2:

(Marvin):

                              
So come on, let's knock on every door.
                      
 Tell them; love is the answer;
                            
 Whether they're rich or poor, oh yeah.

Bridge 2:

                                       
For we don't care, what you do, how you look,
               
Or your status claim, baby.
          
(Valerie): No no.

                             
Because brothers and sisters, from now on,
                                
Is gonna be everybody's name, oh, oh.

*KEY CHANGE*
------------

Chorus 3:

                   / 
The world is just a great big  onion.

(Marvin):

                                               
And pain and fear, are the spices that make you cry.
                                    / 
Oh, and the only way to get rid, of this great big  onion;

Coda:

(Valerie):

             
Is to plant love seeds,
                                       
(Marvin): Now everybody, got to plant love seeds.
                              
(Valerie): Come on and plant love seeds,
                       
(Marvin): Until it dies.

Outro:

                    / 
The world is just, a great big  onion.


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