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This Side Of The Law

Chords

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KeyOriginal

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1/47

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 47Position: 2

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

THIS SIDE OF THE LAW
[Intro]
e|--------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------|
B|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------0-1-2-1-2-1-2-1----------------------------|
A|-------0--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--4-------------------4--2-1-2-----------------|
E|-0-2-4---0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0------------------------------------------------|
[Verse]
AOn this side of the law, EOn Athat side of the law,
DWho is Aright? DWho is Awrong? DWho is Afor and Dwho?s against the lAaw?
You Asee, I Edidn't rAeally mDean you no haArm,
But AI simply couldn't make it on the B7farm.
When Ethe land won't Agive a lot You gotta do with what you got.
And B7all I got's the muscle in my Earm;
Well, I Awouldn't ever Dhurt my fellow Aman.
And Mister sAeems to me that you could under B7stand.
I'm Djust tryin' to Ahelp my self without B7hurtin' somebody Aelse.
And a B7man has got to Edo the best he Acan.
EOn tAhis side of the law, EOn tAhat side of the law,
DWho is Aright? DWho is Awrong?  DWho is Afor and Dwho's against the Alaw?
[Solo]
e|--------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------|
B|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------0-1-2-1-2-1-2-1----------------------------|
A|-------0--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--4-------------------4--2-1-2-----------------|
E|-0-2-4---0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0------------------------------------------------|
AWell, I didn't mean to Dlet my fam'ly Adown,
And EI'm not givAing you the run a rB7ound.
I'd Amuch rather be dead than have to Dbeg my daily Abread.
And to B7pay my way no matter where I'm Ebound;
Well, I Adidn't really Dthink that I did Awrong.
Just as Along I stayed here where I B7belong.
I Ddid the onAly thing I could, Same as Danybody woAuld.
Yes B7I was simply Etrying to get Aalong.
EOn tAhis side of the law, EOn Athat side of the law,
DWho is Aright? DWho is Awrong?  DWho is Afor and Dwho's against the Alaw?

All chords in this song (6)

The story behind the song

Johnny Cash's music often explores themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, delivered with his distinctive deep bass-baritone voice. He was known for his rebellious spirit, which later softened into a more somber and humble demeanor, and his signature "Man in Black" stage attire. While this song's specific meaning isn't detailed, it fits within his world of exploring life's edges and boundaries. Playing this song, you're tapping into the raw, earnest spirit of a man who understood the struggles of the human condition.

AI-written from these sources:Johnny Cash — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

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

This Side Of The Law

by Johnny Cash

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

THIS SIDE OF THE LAW

[Intro]

e|--------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------|

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

G|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

D|-------------------------------------------0-1-2-1-2-1-2-1----------------------------|

A|-------0--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--4-------------------4--2-1-2-----------------|

E|-0-2-4---0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0------------------------------------------------|

[Verse]

A E A

On this side of the law, On that side of the law,

D A D A D A D A

Who is right? Who is wrong? Who is for and who?s against the law?

A E A D A

You see, I didn't really mean you no harm,

A B7

But I simply couldn't make it on the farm.

E A

When the land won't give a lot You gotta do with what you got.

B7 E

And all I got's the muscle in my arm;

A D A

Well, I wouldn't ever hurt my fellow man.

A B7

And Mister seems to me that you could under stand.

D A B7 A

I'm just tryin' to help my self without hurtin' somebody else.

B7 E A

And a man has got to do the best he can.

E A E A

On this side of the law, On that side of the law,

D A D A D A D A

Who is right? Who is wrong? Who is for and who's against the law?

[Solo]

e|--------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------|

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

D|-------------------------------------------0-1-2-1-2-1-2-1----------------------------|

A|-------0--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--4-------------------4--2-1-2-----------------|

E|-0-2-4---0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0------------------------------------------------|

A D A

Well, I didn't mean to let my fam'ly down,

E A B7

And I'm not giving you the run a round.

A D A

I'd much rather be dead than have to beg my daily bread.

B7 E

And to pay my way no matter where I'm bound;

A D A

Well, I didn't really think that I did wrong.

A B7

Just as long I stayed here where I belong.

D A D A

I did the only thing I could, Same as anybody would.

B7 E A

Yes I was simply trying to get along.

E A E A

On this side of the law, On that side of the law,

D A D A D A D A

Who is right? Who is wrong? Who is for and who's against the law?

About This Side Of The Law Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play This Side Of The Law by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “This Side Of The Law chords”, “This Side Of The Law guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash This Side Of The Law 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 This Side Of The Law chords and for experienced players who want accurate This Side Of The Law lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include B, G, D, A, E, B7.

FAQ — This Side Of The Law by Johnny Cash

How do I play "This Side Of The Law" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "This Side Of The Law" by Johnny Cash 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 "This Side Of The Law" by Johnny Cash free?

Yes. The chords for "This Side Of The Law" by Johnny Cash are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "This Side Of The Law" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "This Side Of The Law"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "This Side Of The Law" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "This Side Of The Law" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "This Side Of The Law" by Johnny Cash with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Cash below.

What key is "This Side Of The Law" in?

The chords for "This Side Of The Law" show the original chord names (including B, G, D, A, E, B7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.