IntroG
xA -|-----10-----------|
xE -|-3---7------------|
xC -|-----7----------7-|
xG -|-----7----7-9-9---| x4
Verse 1 -spoken-
GCG
It was winter time in Nashville, down on music city row
D
And I was lookin' for a place to get myself out of the cold
CDGEm
To warm the frozen feelin' that was eatin' at my soul
CD
And keep the chilly wind off my guitar
GCG
My thirsty wanted whisky, my hungry needed beans
GD
But it'd been of month of paydays since I've heard that eagle scream
CDGEm
So with my stomach full of empty and a pocket full of dreams
CDG
I left my pride and stepped inside a bar
Em
Actually I guess you could call it a Tavern
CAmD
Cigarette smoke to the ceiling and sawdust on the floor
G
Friendly shadows
CG
I saw that there was just one old man sittin' at the bar
D
And in the mirror I could see him checkin' me and my guitar
CDGEm
He turned and said "Come up here boy and show us what you are"
CD
I said "I'm dry" and he brought me a beer
GCG
He nodded at my guitar and said "It's a tough life, ain't it"
D
I just looked at him, and he said "You ain't makin' any money, are ya?"
CDG
I said "You've been readin' my mail". He just smiled and said
EmCG
Let me see your guitar, I've got something you want to hear.
Then he laid it on me
ChorusGC
If you waste your time a talkin' to the people who don't listen
GD
To the things that you are sayin', who do you think's gonna hear
GC
And if you should die explaining how the things that they complain about
GDG
Are things they could be changin' who do you think's gonna care
DCG
There were other lonely singers in a world turned deaf and blind
D
Who were crucified for what they tried to show
GCG
And their voices have been scattered by the swirling winds of time
DG
Cause the truth remains that no one wants to know
Verse 2 -spoken-
GCG
Well, the old man was a stranger, but I'd heard his song before
D
Back when failure had me locked out on the wrong side of the door
CDGEm
When no one stood behind me but my shadow on the floor
CD
And lonesome was more than a state of mind
GCG
You see, the devil haunts a hungry man
D
If you don't wanna join him you got to beat him
CDGEm
I ain't sayin' I beat the devil but I drank his beer for nothing
CDG
Then I stole his song
ChorusGC
And you still can hear me singin' to the people who don't listen
GD
To the things that I am sayin' prayin' someone’s gonna hear
GC
And I guess I'll die explaining how the things that they complain about
GDG
Are things they could be changin' hopin' someone’s gonna care
DCG
I was born a lowly singer, and I'm bound to die the same
CGD
But I've got to feed the hunger in my soul
GCG
And if I never have a nickel I won't ever die ashamed
DG
Cause I don't believe that no one wants to know
This arrangement for the song is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the song. You may only use this for private study, scholarship, or research. UkuTabs does not own any songs, lyrics or arrangements posted and/or printed.
This arrangement for the song is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the song. You may only use this for private study, scholarship, or research. UkuTabs does not own any songs, lyrics or arrangements posted and/or printed. This arrangement was downloaded for free on UkuTabs.com.
Kristoffer Kristofferson (June 22, 1936 – September 28, 2024) was an American country singer, songwriter and actor. Among his songwriting credits are “Me and Bobby McGee”, “For the Good Times”, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”, and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”, all of which were hits for other artists.
In 1985, Kristofferson joined fellow country artists Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash in forming the country music supergroup The Highwaymen
Thumb Position Check. For bar chords, place the thumb lower on the neck for leverage. For open chords, let it sit higher. Small thumb adjustments reduce hand strain and improve clarity immediately.
