chart-o-tron - Middlesex Activist Band
Streets of Minneapolis
Streets of MinneapolisRude BridgeIn Bruce's recordings, there are many variations of the choruses, where he adds a bar, shuffles the lyrics, or plays harmonica. In this arrangement, for simplicity, the choruses are more consistent in length, melody, and lyrics. Sometimes Bruce sings "Minneap'lis" with four syllables. This arrangement always shows the full five syllables. The last few bars of the verses are different, because of the lyrics.FORM:
[ ] Short intro. It's written here as two bars, but it can be any length, or simply a vamp until [#1] when the 1st verse starts.
[#1]: 1st VERSE: Mostly just the melody, with quiet backing parts, minimal percussion (only on beats 2 & 4, tambourine is good), and no bass part.
Could be a strong solo instrument on the 1st verse melody.
A snare drum hit on the 4th (last) beat of the last measure, to cue the band into the second verse [#2].
Then the full band, including bass and percussion, comes in strong on the 2nd verse.
[#2]: VERSES (or solos), followed by:
[C ]: CHORUSES
(Repeat back to [#2] For the 3rd verse, or solos or more verses, each verse followed by the chorus)
[#3]: 4th (Last) VERSE: Like the 1st Verse. "ICE OUT NOW!" in the tenth measure.
Drum fill in the last measure, to cue the band into the last chorus [#4].
[#4]: Full band for CHORUS
[#5]: OUTRO and ending. After the last whole note, everyone joins the "ICE OUT NOW!" chant.
SHORT FORM:
[ ] Intro
[#1] 1st Verse quiet no bass/drums
[#2] 2nd-3rd Verses + solos + ... full band
[C ] Chorus after verses and solo verses
[#3] 4th (Last) Verse no bass/drums like 1st
[#4] Last Chorus full band
[#5] Outro
This is a flexible band arrangement: a melody part for high instruments, a two-part backing part for mid/low instruments, and a bass line for bass instruments. There is no separate percussion part, but there is some percussion information in the "structure" section above, and in the bass part. There is also part for singers.
The backing part is too repetetive and there is no part for the drums. Maybe there will be revisions.
Tempo = about 112 BPM
Key of C concert. (The original is in D)
In Bruce's recordings, there are many variations of the choruses, where he adds a bar, shuffles the lyrics, or plays harmonica. In this arrangement, for simplicity, the choruses are more consistent in length, melody, and lyrics. Sometimes Bruce sings "Minneap'lis" with four syllables. This arrangement always shows the full five syllables. The last few bars of the verses are different, because of the lyrics.
The first verse could be played by one player.
The [#1]first and [#3]last verses have no bass or drums, just a tambourine or hi-hat on beats 2 & 4.
The ending doesn't slow down. Segue into the chant at the same tempo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDaPdpwA...Creative Commons Ø.
Please play, copy, print, and distribute this arrangement.
Version 2026-02-03C
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Bruce Springsteen
January 28, 2026
[Intro]
[#1][Verse 1]
Through the winter's ice and cold
Down Nicollet Avenue
A city aflame fought fire and ice
'Neath an occupier's boots
King Trump's private army from the DHS
Guns belted to their coats
Came to Minneapolis to enforce the law
Or so their story goes
[#2][Verse 2]
Against smoke and rubber bullets
In the dawn's early light
Citizens stood for justice
Their voices ringing through the night
And there were bloody footprints
Where mercy should have stood
And two dead, left to die on snow-filled streets
ALEX PRETTI and RENÉE GOOD
[C][Chorus]
Oh, our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Singing through the bloody mist ["Crying" 2nd chorus]
We'll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
Here in our home, they killed and roamed
In the winter of '26
We'll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis
[#2][Verse 3]
Trump's federal thugs beat up on
His face and his chest
Then we heard the gunshots
And ALEX PRETTI lay in the snow dead
Their claim was self-defense, sir
Just don't believe your eyes
It's our blood and bones
And these whistles and phones
Against Miller and Noem's dirty lies
[C][Chorus]
[#3][Verse 4 (last verse)]
Now they say they're here to uphold the law
But they trample on our rights
If your skin is black or brown, my friend
You can be questioned or deported on sight
In our chants of "ICE OUT NOW!"
Our city's heart and soul persists
Through broken glass and bloody tears
On the streets of Minneapolis
[#4][Chorus]
[Chorus]
[#5] [Outro]
We'll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis
[Ending][Chant]
"ICE OUT NOW!"
"ICE OUT NOW!"
"ICE OUT NOW!"
"ICE OUT NOW!"
"ICE OUT NOW!"
"ICE OUT NOW!"
"ICE OUT NOW!" ...
"It's dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renée Good. Stay free, Bruce" 2026-01-28
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