Now playing

Hey Jack Kerouac

Chords

4.960 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
  A    D(x3)    F/C  G  
[Verse 1]
DHey Jack Kerouac, I think of your mG/Dother
and the F#mtears she cried, they were cried for nGone other
than her Dlittle boy lost in a little world that G/Dhated
and that F#mdared to drag him down, her little boy Gcourageous
who chose his words from mouths of Ababes got lost in the wood
GHip flask slinging madman, Asteaming cafe flirts
Gthey all spoke through you.
[Verse 2]
DHey Jack, now for the tricky G/Dpart,
when F#myou were the brightest star, who were the shGadows?
Of the DSan Francisco beat boys you were the G/Dfavorite.
Now they F#msit and rattle their bones and think of their blGood stoned days.
You chose your words from mouths of Ababes got lost in the wood
The Ghip flask slinging madman, Asteaming cafe flirts,
Gin Chinatown Dhowling at night.
[Bridge]
  A    D(x3)    F/C  G  
  A    D(x3)    F/C  G  
[Verse 3]
DAllen baby, why so G/Djaded?
Have the F#mboys all grown up and their beauGty faded?
DBilly, what a saint they've G/Dmade you,
just like F#mMary down in Mexico on GAll Souls' Day.
You chose your words from mouths of Ababes got lost in the wood
GCool junk booting madmen, Astreet minded girls
Gin Harlem, howling at night.
[Bridge]
  A    D(x3)    F/C  G  
  A    D(x3)  F/C  
[Outro]
What a tGear stained shock of the wDorld,
you've gone F/Caway babe, without sayin’, sGaying goodbDye.

All chords in this song (6)

🎸 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

Hey Jack Kerouac

by 10,000 Maniacs

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F/C

G/D

F#m

[Intro]

A D F/C G

(x3)

[Verse 1]

D G/D

Hey Jack Kerouac, I think of your mother

F#m G

and the tears she cried, they were cried for none other

D G/D

than her little boy lost in a little world that hated

F#m G

and that dared to drag him down, her little boy courageous

who chose his words from mouths of babes got lost in the wood

G A

Hip flask slinging madman, steaming cafe flirts

they all spoke through you.

[Verse 2]

D G/D

Hey Jack, now for the tricky part,

F#m G

when you were the brightest star, who were the shadows?

D G/D

Of the San Francisco beat boys you were the favorite.

F#m G

Now they sit and rattle their bones and think of their blood stoned days.

You chose your words from mouths of babes got lost in the wood

G A

The hip flask slinging madman, steaming cafe flirts,

G D

in Chinatown howling at night.

[Bridge]

A D F/C G

(x3)

A D F/C G

(x3)

[Verse 3]

D G/D

Allen baby, why so jaded?

F#m G

Have the boys all grown up and their beauty faded?

D G/D

Billy, what a saint they've made you,

F#m G

just like Mary down in Mexico on All Souls' Day.

You chose your words from mouths of babes got lost in the wood

G A

Cool junk booting madmen, street minded girls

in Harlem, howling at night.

[Bridge]

A D F/C G

(x3)

A D F/C

(x3)

[Outro]

G D

What a tear stained shock of the world,

F/C G D

you've gone away babe, without sayin’, saying goodbye.

About Hey Jack Kerouac Chords by 10,000 Maniacs

Learn how to play Hey Jack Kerouac by 10,000 Maniacs with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Hey Jack Kerouac chords”, “Hey Jack Kerouac guitar chords”, or “10,000 Maniacs Hey Jack Kerouac 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 Hey Jack Kerouac chords and for experienced players who want accurate Hey Jack Kerouac lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, D, F/C, G, G/D, F#m.

FAQ — Hey Jack Kerouac by 10,000 Maniacs

How do I play "Hey Jack Kerouac" by 10,000 Maniacs on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Hey Jack Kerouac" by 10,000 Maniacs 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 "Hey Jack Kerouac" by 10,000 Maniacs free?

Yes. The chords for "Hey Jack Kerouac" by 10,000 Maniacs are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Hey Jack Kerouac" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Hey Jack Kerouac"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Hey Jack Kerouac" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Hey Jack Kerouac" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Hey Jack Kerouac" by 10,000 Maniacs with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by 10,000 Maniacs below.

What key is "Hey Jack Kerouac" in?

The chords for "Hey Jack Kerouac" show the original chord names (including A, D, F/C, G, G/D, F#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.