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Hold On

Chords

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[Verse]
            DThey hung a sign up in Gour town
            "if you liAve it up, you won't Dlive it down"
            DSo, she left Monte RGio, son
            Just Alike a bullet lDeaves a gun
            With Gcharcoal eyes and AMonroe hips
            She went and Dtook that CaliGfornia trip
            Well, the Emmoon was gold, her AHair like wind
            She said Emdon't look back just ACome on Jim
[Chorus]
            OAh you got to
            DHold on, AHold onD  
            You got to Ghold on
            DTake my hand, I'm Astanding right here
            You gotta Dhold on
[Verse]
            DWell, he gave her a dGimestore watch
            AAnd a ring made frDom a spoon
            Everyone is looking for soGmeone to blame
            But you Ashare my bed, you Dshare my name
            Well, Ggo ahead and call Athe cops
            You don't Dmeet nice girls in Gcoffee shops
            EmShe said baby, I Astill love you
            SomeEmtimes there's nothin Aleft to do
[Chorus]
            AOh but you got to
            DHold on, Ahold onD  
            Baby gotto to Ghold on
            DTake my hand, I'm Astanding right here, you got to
            Just Dhold on.
[Verse] 
            DWell, God bless your crooked little Gheart 
            St. ALouis got  the  Dbest  of me
            DI miss your broken-Gchina voice
            How I Awish you were still Dhere with me
            Well, you Gbuild it up, you wreck it Adown
            You Dburn your mansion Gto the ground
            When there's Emnothing left to Akeep you here, when
            You're Emfalling behind in this Abig blue world
[Chorus]
            OAh you got to
            DHold on, AHold onD  
            Baby gotto Ghold on
            DTake my hand, I'm Astanding right here
            You gotta Dhold on
[Verse]
            DoDwn by the RiversGide motel,
            It's A10 below and fDalling
            DBy a 9G9 cent store she Aclosed her eyes and Dstarted swaying
            But it's Gso hard to Adance that way
            When it's Dcold and there's Gno music
            Well your Emold hometown is so Afar away
            But, insEmide your head there's a rAecord
            That's playing, A7a song called
[Chorus]
            DHold on, Ahold onD  
            Baby gotto Ghold on
            DTake my hand, I'm Astanding right there
            You gotta Dhold on
            You got to Hold on, AHold on     D  
            Baby gotto Ghold on
            DTake my hand, I'm Astanding right here
            You gotta Dhold on

All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

"Hold On" is a song that captures the essence of perseverance and finding hope in difficult circumstances. It embodies the spirit of an artist known for chronicling society's underbelly and the adrift, creating three-dimensional characters even in their confusion and despair. The song, from the album Mule Variations, delivers a blend of raw, bluesy sounds and heartfelt songwriting. At its heart, it plays like a comforting hand on the shoulder, urging you to keep going.

AI-written from these sources:Mule Variations — Wikipedia ↗Tom Waits — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

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

Hold On

by Tom Waits

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse]

D G

They hung a sign up in our town

A D

"if you live it up, you won't live it down"

D G

So, she left Monte Rio, son

A D

Just like a bullet leaves a gun

G A

With charcoal eyes and Monroe hips

D G

She went and took that California trip

Em A

Well, the moon was gold, her Hair like wind

Em A

She said don't look back just Come on Jim

[Chorus]

Oh you got to

D A D

Hold on, Hold on

You got to hold on

D A

Take my hand, I'm standing right here

You gotta hold on

[Verse]

D G

Well, he gave her a dimestore watch

A D

And a ring made from a spoon

Everyone is looking for someone to blame

A D

But you share my bed, you share my name

G A

Well, go ahead and call the cops

D G

You don't meet nice girls in coffee shops

Em A

She said baby, I still love you

Em A

Sometimes there's nothin left to do

[Chorus]

Oh but you got to

D A D

Hold on, hold on

Baby gotto to hold on

D A

Take my hand, I'm standing right here, you got to

Just hold on.

[Verse]

D G

Well, God bless your crooked little heart

A D

St. Louis got the best of me

D G

I miss your broken-china voice

A D

How I wish you were still here with me

G A

Well, you build it up, you wreck it down

D G

You burn your mansion to the ground

Em A

When there's nothing left to keep you here, when

Em A

You're falling behind in this big blue world

[Chorus]

Oh you got to

D A D

Hold on, Hold on

Baby gotto hold on

D A

Take my hand, I'm standing right here

You gotta hold on

[Verse]

D G

Down by the Riverside motel,

A D

It's 10 below and falling

D G A D

By a 99 cent store she closed her eyes and started swaying

G A

But it's so hard to dance that way

D G

When it's cold and there's no music

Em A

Well your old hometown is so far away

Em A

But, inside your head there's a record

That's playing, a song called

[Chorus]

D A D

Hold on, hold on

Baby gotto hold on

D A

Take my hand, I'm standing right there

You gotta hold on

A D

You got to Hold on, Hold on

Baby gotto hold on

D A

Take my hand, I'm standing right here

You gotta hold on

About Hold On Chords by Tom Waits

Learn how to play Hold On by Tom Waits with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Hold On chords”, “Hold On guitar chords”, or “Tom Waits Hold On 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 Hold On chords and for experienced players who want accurate Hold On lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, A, Em, A7.

FAQ — Hold On by Tom Waits

How do I play "Hold On" by Tom Waits on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Hold On" by Tom Waits 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 "Hold On" by Tom Waits free?

Yes. The chords for "Hold On" by Tom Waits are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Hold On" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Hold On"?

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

Is "Hold On" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Hold On" by Tom Waits with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Tom Waits below.

What key is "Hold On" in?

The chords for "Hold On" show the original chord names (including D, G, A, Em, A7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.