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Throwing Stones

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Verse]
BmPicture a Abright blue ball just Espinning, spinning Afree
BmDizzy wGith eternity.A  
EPaint it with a skin of sky, brush Ain some clouds and Esea
Call it Bmhome for you and me.A  
BmA peaceful Aplace or so it looks Efrom spaceA  
BmA clGoser look reveAals the human race.
EFull of hope, full of grace, is thAe human face.E  
But afraBmid, we may our lay home Ato waste.
[Chorus]
EThere's a fear down here we cDan't fAorget
EHasn't got a name jDust yeAt
EAlways awake, alwDays aroAund
ESinging ashes,ashes aDll fall Adown, asEhes,ashes,all fall down
[Verse}
BmNow watch Aas the ball revolves aEnd the nighttime faAlls
BmAnd Gagain the hunt Abegins and again the bloodwind calls
EBy and by again, the morning sun wAill riseE  
But the Bmdarkness never goes from Asome men's eyes.
BmIt strolls tAhe sidewalks and it roElls the streetsA  
BmStakGing turf, diviAding up meat.
ENightmare spook, piecAe of heat,E  
It's you Bmand me, you and me.A  
[Chorus]
EClick, flashblade in ghDetto nAight.
ERudies looking foDr a fAight.
ERat cat alley rDoll them bAones.
ENeed that cash to feDed that joAnes
EAnd the politicians tDhrowing sAtones
ESinging ashes,ashes Dall fall dAown, aEshes,ashes all fall down
[Bridge]
C#mCommissars and Apin-striped bosses Eroll the dice
BmAny way they Gfall guess who gets to Apay the price.
EMoney green or Aproletarian Egray,
Selling Bmguns instead of food toAday.
[Chorus]
ESo the kids they dDance, they shake their bAones
EAnd the politicians thDrowing sAtones
ESinging ashes,ashes aDll fall dAown, aEshes,ashes,all fall down
[Verse]
BmHeartless Apowers try to tell us Ewhat to thinkA  
BmIf the spirit's Gsleeping, then Athe flesh is ink.
And histBmory's page, it is thuslAy carved in stone
BmThe future's here, we aAre it, we are on our own.
[Verse]
BmIf the gamAe is lost then we're aEll the sameA  
BmNo oGne left to plaAce or take the blame.
EWe will leave tAhis place an Eempty stone
Or this Bmshinning ball of blue wAe can call our home
[Chorus]
ESo the kids they dDance, they shake their bAones
EAnd the politiciaDns are throwing sAtones
ESinging ashes,aDshes all fall doAwn, aEshes,ashes all fall down
[Verse]
EShipping poDwders back and Aforth
ESinging "black goes soDuth while white comes nAorth"
EAnd the whole worlDd full of petty Awars
ESinging "I got minDe and you got yAours."
EAnd the current faDshions set the Apace.
ELose your step, fDall out of grAace.
EAnd the radical he rDant and rAage,
ESinging "someone got to tDurn the pAage"
EAnd the rich man in his sDummer hAome,
ESinging "Just leave well eDnough aAlone"
EBut his pants are down, his Dcover's bAlown
EAnd the politicians are thrDowing stAones
ESo the kids they dance they shDake their bAones
ECause its all too clear we're Don our oAwn
ESinging ashes,aDshes all fall dAown, aEshes,ashes all fall down
[Outro]
BmPicture a Abright blue ball just Espinning, spinning Afree
BmIt's dizGzying, the poAssibilities.
EAshes, Ashes all fall down.

All chords in this song (6)

The story behind the song

"Throwing Stones" is a politically charged song that delves into the American sociopolitical landscape, critiquing both established powers and anti-authoritarian viewpoints. It laments the state of the world being passed on to the next generation, with its title possibly referencing a biblical idea or the proverb about people in glass houses. This track, appearing on the 1987 album In the Dark, often serves as a powerful statement on contemporary issues. Playing it means channeling a sense of urgent social commentary and reflection.

AI-written from these sources:Throwing Stones — Wikipedia ↗Grateful Dead — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Throwing Stones

by Grateful Dead

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

[Verse]

Bm A E A

Picture a bright blue ball just spinning, spinning free

Bm G A

Dizzy with eternity.

E A E

Paint it with a skin of sky, brush in some clouds and sea

Bm A

Call it home for you and me.

Bm A E A

A peaceful place or so it looks from space

Bm G A

A closer look reveals the human race.

E A E

Full of hope, full of grace, is the human face.

Bm A

But afraid, we may our lay home to waste.

[Chorus]

E D A

There's a fear down here we can't forget

E D A

Hasn't got a name just yet

E D A

Always awake, always around

E D A E

Singing ashes,ashes all fall down, ashes,ashes,all fall down

[Verse}

Bm A E A

Now watch as the ball revolves and the nighttime falls

Bm G A

And again the hunt begins and again the bloodwind calls

E A E

By and by again, the morning sun will rise

Bm A

But the darkness never goes from some men's eyes.

Bm A E A

It strolls the sidewalks and it rolls the streets

Bm G A

Staking turf, dividing up meat.

E A E

Nightmare spook, piece of heat,

Bm A

It's you and me, you and me.

[Chorus]

E D A

Click, flashblade in ghetto night.

E D A

Rudies looking for a fight.

E D A

Rat cat alley roll them bones.

E D A

Need that cash to feed that jones

E D A

And the politicians throwing stones

E D A E

Singing ashes,ashes all fall down, ashes,ashes all fall down

[Bridge]

C#m A E

Commissars and pin-striped bosses roll the dice

Bm G A

Any way they fall guess who gets to pay the price.

E A E

Money green or proletarian gray,

Bm A

Selling guns instead of food today.

[Chorus]

E D A

So the kids they dance, they shake their bones

E D A

And the politicians throwing stones

E D A E

Singing ashes,ashes all fall down, ashes,ashes,all fall down

[Verse]

Bm A E A

Heartless powers try to tell us what to think

Bm G A

If the spirit's sleeping, then the flesh is ink.

Bm A

And history's page, it is thusly carved in stone

Bm A

The future's here, we are it, we are on our own.

[Verse]

Bm A E A

If the game is lost then we're all the same

Bm G A

No one left to place or take the blame.

E A E

We will leave this place an empty stone

Bm A

Or this shinning ball of blue we can call our home

[Chorus]

E D A

So the kids they dance, they shake their bones

E D A

And the politicians are throwing stones

E D A E

Singing ashes,ashes all fall down, ashes,ashes all fall down

[Verse]

E D A

Shipping powders back and forth

E D A

Singing "black goes south while white comes north"

E D A

And the whole world full of petty wars

E D A

Singing "I got mine and you got yours."

E D A

And the current fashions set the pace.

E D A

Lose your step, fall out of grace.

E D A

And the radical he rant and rage,

E D A

Singing "someone got to turn the page"

E D A

And the rich man in his summer home,

E D A

Singing "Just leave well enough alone"

E D A

But his pants are down, his cover's blown

E D A

And the politicians are throwing stones

E D A

So the kids they dance they shake their bones

E D A

Cause its all too clear we're on our own

E D A E

Singing ashes,ashes all fall down, ashes,ashes all fall down

[Outro]

Bm A E A

Picture a bright blue ball just spinning, spinning free

Bm G A

It's dizzying, the possibilities.

Ashes, Ashes all fall down.

About Throwing Stones Chords by Grateful Dead

Learn how to play Throwing Stones by Grateful Dead with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Throwing Stones chords”, “Throwing Stones guitar chords”, or “Grateful Dead Throwing Stones 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 Throwing Stones chords and for experienced players who want accurate Throwing Stones lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Bm, A, E, G, D, C#m.

FAQ — Throwing Stones by Grateful Dead

How do I play "Throwing Stones" by Grateful Dead on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Throwing Stones" by Grateful Dead 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 "Throwing Stones" by Grateful Dead free?

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Can I transpose "Throwing Stones" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Throwing Stones"?

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

Is "Throwing Stones" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Throwing Stones" by Grateful Dead with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Grateful Dead below.

What key is "Throwing Stones" in?

The chords for "Throwing Stones" show the original chord names (including Bm, A, E, G, D, C#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.