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Thats How Every Empire Falls

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That's How Every Empire Falls 
John Prine/ R.B. Morris
[Intro]
F C Bb F
F C Bb F
FHe caught a train from CAlexandria
BbJust a broken man in Fflight
FRunning scared with all his Cdevils
BbSaying prayers all through the Fnight
FBut mercy can't find Chim
BbNot in the shadows where he Fcalls
FForsaking all his better Cangels
BbThat's how every empire Ffalls
[Instrumental]
F C Bb F
F C Bb F
FThe bells ring out on Sunday Cmorning
BbLike echoes from another Ftime
FAll our innocence and Cyearning
BbAnd sense of wonder left Fbehind
FOh, gentle hearts Cremember
BbWhat was that story his they Flost
FWhen religion loses Cvision
BbThat's how every empire Ffalls
[Instrumental]
F C Bb F
F C Bb F
FHe toasts his wife and all his Cfamily
BbThe providence he brought to Fbear
FThey raise their glasses in his Chonor
BbAlthough this union made 'em Fshare
FOf a man that lives among Cthem
BbBut still a stranger to them Fall
FFor when a heart is never Copen
BbThat's how every empire Ffalls
[Instrumental]
F C Bb F
F C Bb F
F C Bb F
F C Bb F
FLock the door and board the Cwindows
BbPut the people in the Fstreet
FIt just my job he says I'm Csorry
BbAnd draws the jackels home to Feat
FBut at night he tell his Cwoman
BbI know I hide behind the Flaws
FShe says you are only taking Corders
BbThat's how every empire Ffalls
[Instrumental]
F C Bb F
F C Bb F
FA bitter wind blows through the Ccountry
BbA hard rain falls on the Fsea
FIf terror comes without a Cwarning
BbThere must be something we don't Fsee
FWell, fire begets this Cfire
BbLike torches thrown into the Fstraw
FIf no one ask and no one Canswers
BbThat's how every empire Ffalls
[Outro]
F C Bb F
F C Bb F

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

"That's How Every Empire Falls" comes from John Prine, an American singer-songwriter celebrated for his country-folk music. Prine was known for his unique mix of humorous observations about life, love, and current events, often incorporating social commentary and satire, alongside tender songs and poignant ballads. He began writing and singing as a hobby while working as a mailman in Chicago, eventually becoming a highly influential songwriter. This song, with its evocative title, plays like a reflection on the inevitable decline that even the grandest structures face.

AI-written from these sources:John Prine — Wikipedia ↗

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

Thats How Every Empire Falls

by John Prine

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

That's How Every Empire Falls

John Prine/ R.B. Morris

[Intro]

F C Bb F

F C

He caught a train from Alexandria

Bb F

Just a broken man in flight

F C

Running scared with all his devils

Bb F

Saying prayers all through the night

F C

But mercy can't find him

Bb F

Not in the shadows where he calls

F C

Forsaking all his better angels

Bb F

That's how every empire falls

[Instrumental]

F C Bb F

F C

The bells ring out on Sunday morning

Bb F

Like echoes from another time

F C

All our innocence and yearning

Bb F

And sense of wonder left behind

F C

Oh, gentle hearts remember

Bb F

What was that story his they lost

F C

When religion loses vision

Bb F

That's how every empire falls

[Instrumental]

F C Bb F

F C

He toasts his wife and all his family

Bb F

The providence he brought to bear

F C

They raise their glasses in his honor

Bb F

Although this union made 'em share

F C

Of a man that lives among them

Bb F

But still a stranger to them all

F C

For when a heart is never open

Bb F

That's how every empire falls

[Instrumental]

F C Bb F

F C

Lock the door and board the windows

Bb F

Put the people in the street

F C

It just my job he says I'm sorry

Bb F

And draws the jackels home to eat

F C

But at night he tell his woman

Bb F

I know I hide behind the laws

F C

She says you are only taking orders

Bb F

That's how every empire falls

[Instrumental]

F C Bb F

F C

A bitter wind blows through the country

Bb F

A hard rain falls on the sea

F C

If terror comes without a warning

Bb F

There must be something we don't see

F C

Well, fire begets this fire

Bb F

Like torches thrown into the straw

F C

If no one ask and no one answers

Bb F

That's how every empire falls

[Outro]

F C Bb F

About Thats How Every Empire Falls Chords by John Prine

Learn how to play Thats How Every Empire Falls by John Prine with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Thats How Every Empire Falls chords”, “Thats How Every Empire Falls guitar chords”, or “John Prine Thats How Every Empire Falls 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 Thats How Every Empire Falls chords and for experienced players who want accurate Thats How Every Empire Falls lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include B, F, C, Bb, A.

FAQ — Thats How Every Empire Falls by John Prine

How do I play "Thats How Every Empire Falls" by John Prine on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Thats How Every Empire Falls" by John Prine 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 "Thats How Every Empire Falls" by John Prine free?

Yes. The chords for "Thats How Every Empire Falls" by John Prine are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Thats How Every Empire Falls" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Thats How Every Empire Falls" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Thats How Every Empire Falls"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Thats How Every Empire Falls" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Thats How Every Empire Falls" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Thats How Every Empire Falls" by John Prine with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by John Prine below.

What key is "Thats How Every Empire Falls" in?

The chords for "Thats How Every Empire Falls" show the original chord names (including B, F, C, Bb, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.