The Onion Song

...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).

(Original Key: Ab)

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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Tabbed by Joel from cLuMsY, Bristol, England, 2007 (clumsyband@hotmail.com)