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The Way It Goes

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 The Way it Goes 
Gillian Welch
The Harrow and the Harvest - 2011
Capo 1
[Verse 1]
EmBecky Johnson bought the farm
EmPut a needle in her arm
That's the B7way that it goes 
That's the Emway
EmAnd her brother laid her down
EmIn the cold Kentucky ground
That's the B7way that it goes
That's the Emway
[Chorus]
That's the Gway that it Emgoes
EveryCbody's buying little baby GclothesD  
That's the Gway that it Emends
Though there Cwas a time when B7she and I were fEmriends
[Verse 2]
EmWell, Miranda ran away
EmTook her cat and left LA
That's the B7way that it goes 
That's the Emway
EmShe was busted, broke and flat
EmHad to sell that pussy cat
That's the B7way that it goes 
That's the Emway
[Chorus]
That's the Gway that it Emgoes
EveryCbody's buying little baby GclothesD  
That's the Gway that it Emends
Though there Cwas a time when B7he and I were frEmiends
[Verse 3]
EmSee the brightest ones of all
EmEarly in October fall
That's the B7way that it goes 
That's the Emway
EmWhile the dark ones go to bed
EmWith good whiskey in their head
That's the B7way that it goes 
That's the Emway
EmNow Billy Joe's back in the tank
EmYou tell Musso, I'll tell Frank
That's the B7way that it goes 
That's the Emway
EmDid he throw her down a well?
EmDid she leave him for that swell?
That's the B7way that it goes 
That's the Emway
[Chorus]
That's the Gway that it Emgoes
EveryCbody's buying little baby GclothesD  
That's the Gway that it Emends
Though there Cwas a time when B7all of us were fEmriends
[Verse]
EmWhen you lay me down to rest
EmLeave a pistol in my vest
That's the B7way that it goes 
That's the Emway
EmDo you miss my gentle touch?
EmDid I hurt you very much?
That's the B7way that it goes 
That's the Emway
[Chorus]
That's the Gway that it Emgoes
EveryCbody's buying little baby GclothesD  
That's the Gway that it Emends
Though there Cwas a time when B7you and I were fEmriends

All chords in this song (5)

Open

O22OOO

Minor chord - Sad, melancholic sound

✕ Mute Open Press

Skill · find home

E minor

This shape is home. Capo 1 makes it sound in F minor. End the line on this chord.

The Way It Goes

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The Way It Goes

by Gillian Welch

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 1 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

The Way it Goes

Gillian Welch

The Harrow and the Harvest - 2011

Capo 1

[Verse 1]

Becky Johnson bought the farm

Put a needle in her arm

That's the way that it goes

That's the way

And her brother laid her down

In the cold Kentucky ground

That's the way that it goes

That's the way

[Chorus]

G Em

That's the way that it goes

C G D

Everybody's buying little baby clothes

G Em

That's the way that it ends

C B7 Em

Though there was a time when she and I were friends

[Verse 2]

Well, Miranda ran away

Took her cat and left LA

That's the way that it goes

That's the way

She was busted, broke and flat

Had to sell that pussy cat

That's the way that it goes

That's the way

[Chorus]

G Em

That's the way that it goes

C G D

Everybody's buying little baby clothes

G Em

That's the way that it ends

C B7 Em

Though there was a time when he and I were friends

[Verse 3]

See the brightest ones of all

Early in October fall

That's the way that it goes

That's the way

While the dark ones go to bed

With good whiskey in their head

That's the way that it goes

That's the way

Now Billy Joe's back in the tank

You tell Musso, I'll tell Frank

That's the way that it goes

That's the way

Did he throw her down a well?

Did she leave him for that swell?

That's the way that it goes

That's the way

[Chorus]

G Em

That's the way that it goes

C G D

Everybody's buying little baby clothes

G Em

That's the way that it ends

C B7 Em

Though there was a time when all of us were friends

[Verse]

When you lay me down to rest

Leave a pistol in my vest

That's the way that it goes

That's the way

Do you miss my gentle touch?

Did I hurt you very much?

That's the way that it goes

That's the way

[Chorus]

G Em

That's the way that it goes

C G D

Everybody's buying little baby clothes

G Em

That's the way that it ends

C B7 Em

Though there was a time when you and I were friends

About The Way It Goes Chords by Gillian Welch

Learn how to play The Way It Goes by Gillian Welch with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Way It Goes chords”, “The Way It Goes guitar chords”, or “Gillian Welch The Way It Goes chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy The Way It Goes chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Way It Goes lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, B7, G, C, D.

FAQ — The Way It Goes by Gillian Welch

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Can I see chord diagrams for "The Way It Goes"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Way It Goes" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Way It Goes" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Way It Goes" in?

The chords for "The Way It Goes" show the original chord names (including Em, B7, G, C, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.