Now playing

The Hole

Chords

4.919 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

The Hole (Acoustic version)
Intro -  F#m   Bm   F#m  Bm  
F#mWell the old woman finally caught me
BmSneakin' 'round her cave
Her hair looked just like barb wire, boys
And her smile just like the F#mgrave
She asked me could I stay a while
I Bmsaid I'd better go
She slid her arm around my neck
And sweetly whispered F#mno
F#mIt's cold and dark and lonely here
As soon enough you'll sBmee
I'm oh so glad you stumbled in
I've been cravin' companyF#m  
I cannot stay too long you know
I left some friends at Bmhome
Don't you fret about your friends
Down here we're all aF#mlone
F#mWell what about my mother
I can't just leave her there to mBmourn?
You don't have to think about her
Just forget you were ever bF#morn
But I'll disappoint my father
You know he wBmorked so hard for me
If you have to pay your father back
Just send him some miserF#my
F#mI'll miss, I said, a girl I know
I can't just leave there to pBmine
Oh She's still got plenty of men to go
I'm sure she'll do just fF#mine
Well what about my little boy?
She said, hBme's just like you
Let a few short years roll by
He'll end up down here toF#mo
F#mAnd her pale green eyes began to glow
And she placed her hand on mBmine
She smiled and said don't worry
You'll get used to me in tiF#mme
As her cold tongue flickered toward my throat
I spun myself arBmound
I Made a dive for the passageway
But the walls came tumbling dF#mown
F#mNow her eyes were the only light
My fevereBmd brain could see
But I tore myself away from them
And fell down to my knF#mees
I've come too far, I can't get back
I beseecheBmd all the Gods of men
Fame and fortune just laughed at me
And it's silence once agaiF#mn
F#mThen I whispered deep within
EBmmbraced the God of Love  
I lifted my face and through the tears
I saw light fall from aF#mbove
F#mI hurled myself into the wall
I ripped and clBmawed my way
Through the stinkin', clingin' loam
Back to the light of dF#may
I crawled out into the wind again
With the sBmky upon my face
I heard the earth sigh patiently
As I slid back into plaF#mce
F#mNow I'm back among the ones I love
And I'Bmm loved by them in turn
And it's only on the darkest night
That green eyed memory burnF#ms
So walk my friends, in the light of day
BmDon't go sneakin' 'round no holes
There might be something down there
Wants to gobble up your soulF#m  

All chords in this song (2)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

The Hole

by Townes Van Zandt

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

The Hole (Acoustic version)

F#m Bm F#m Bm

Intro -

F#m

Well the old woman finally caught me

Sneakin' 'round her cave

Her hair looked just like barb wire, boys

F#m

And her smile just like the grave

She asked me could I stay a while

I said I'd better go

She slid her arm around my neck

F#m

And sweetly whispered no

F#m

It's cold and dark and lonely here

As soon enough you'll see

I'm oh so glad you stumbled in

F#m

I've been cravin' company

I cannot stay too long you know

I left some friends at home

Don't you fret about your friends

F#m

Down here we're all alone

F#m

Well what about my mother

I can't just leave her there to mourn?

You don't have to think about her

F#m

Just forget you were ever born

But I'll disappoint my father

You know he worked so hard for me

If you have to pay your father back

F#m

Just send him some misery

F#m

I'll miss, I said, a girl I know

I can't just leave there to pine

Oh She's still got plenty of men to go

F#m

I'm sure she'll do just fine

Well what about my little boy?

She said, he's just like you

Let a few short years roll by

F#m

He'll end up down here too

F#m

And her pale green eyes began to glow

And she placed her hand on mine

She smiled and said don't worry

F#m

You'll get used to me in time

As her cold tongue flickered toward my throat

I spun myself around

I Made a dive for the passageway

F#m

But the walls came tumbling down

F#m

Now her eyes were the only light

My fevered brain could see

But I tore myself away from them

F#m

And fell down to my knees

I've come too far, I can't get back

I beseeched all the Gods of men

Fame and fortune just laughed at me

F#m

And it's silence once again

F#m

Then I whispered deep within

Embraced the God of Love

I lifted my face and through the tears

F#m

I saw light fall from above

F#m

I hurled myself into the wall

I ripped and clawed my way

Through the stinkin', clingin' loam

F#m

Back to the light of day

I crawled out into the wind again

With the sky upon my face

I heard the earth sigh patiently

F#m

As I slid back into place

F#m

Now I'm back among the ones I love

And I'm loved by them in turn

And it's only on the darkest night

F#m

That green eyed memory burns

So walk my friends, in the light of day

Don't go sneakin' 'round no holes

There might be something down there

F#m

Wants to gobble up your soul

About The Hole Chords by Townes Van Zandt

Learn how to play The Hole by Townes Van Zandt with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Hole chords”, “The Hole guitar chords”, or “Townes Van Zandt The Hole 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 Hole chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Hole lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F#m, Bm.

FAQ — The Hole by Townes Van Zandt

How do I play "The Hole" by Townes Van Zandt on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Hole" by Townes Van Zandt on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "The Hole" by Townes Van Zandt free?

Yes. The chords for "The Hole" by Townes Van Zandt are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Hole" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "The Hole" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Hole"?

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

Is "The Hole" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Hole" by Townes Van Zandt with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Townes Van Zandt below.

What key is "The Hole" in?

The chords for "The Hole" show the original chord names (including F#m, Bm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.