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The Hard Way

Chords

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[Verse]
GOh, the heClls I pFut myself through
GThe fights I didn't need tCo fight
This thick head of mGine ya couldn't gFet through
Had to do it wrGong just to get it riCght ...juGst to get it rigCht
[Chorus]
I lGearned the HCard Way but tGhe hard wFay taught me well the haCrd way
Sure pGut this boy through some hell The hard wCay it taFught me how to teCll
The riCght way from the wrong and on which sGide I beloCng onA  G  C  
CDeep are the memories as a yoFung boy of the lesGsons that I learCned
My mama warnin' me that fire is Fno toy
Ya play wiGth fire boy and you get burned ...Oh I got burned
[Chorus]
I lGearned the HCard Way but tGhe hard wFay taught me well the haCrd way
Sure pGut this boy through some hell The hard wCay it taFught me how to teCll
The riCght way from the wrong and on which sGide I beloCng onA  G  C  
What otAhers learned in SunGday school AI learned by gettin' blaGck n' blue
[Chorus]
I lGearned the HCard Way but tGhe hard wFay taught me well the haCrd way
Sure pGut this boy through some hell The hard wCay it taFught me how to teCll
The riCght way from the wrong and on which sGide I beloCng onA  G  C  
GOh, the heClls I pFut myself through
GThe fights I didn't need tCo fight
This thick head of mGine ya couldn't gFet through
Had to do it wrGong just to get it riCght ...juGst to get it rigCht
[Chorus]
I lGearned the HCard Way but tGhe hard wFay taught me well the haCrd way
Sure pGut this boy through some hell The hard wCay it taFught me how to teCll
The riCght way from the wrong and on which sGide I beloCng onA  G  C  
The hCard way I leaGrned the haCrd way I leaCrned the haCrd way 

All chords in this song (4)

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The Hard Way

by Johnny Cash

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse]

G C F

Oh, the hells I put myself through

G C

The fights I didn't need to fight

G F

This thick head of mine ya couldn't get through

G C G C

Had to do it wrong just to get it right ...just to get it right

[Chorus]

G C G F C

I learned the Hard Way but the hard way taught me well the hard way

G C F C

Sure put this boy through some hell The hard way it taught me how to tell

C G C A G C

The right way from the wrong and on which side I belong on

C F G C

Deep are the memories as a young boy of the lessons that I learned

My mama warnin' me that fire is no toy

Ya play with fire boy and you get burned ...Oh I got burned

[Chorus]

G C G F C

I learned the Hard Way but the hard way taught me well the hard way

G C F C

Sure put this boy through some hell The hard way it taught me how to tell

C G C A G C

The right way from the wrong and on which side I belong on

A G A G

What others learned in Sunday school I learned by gettin' black n' blue

[Chorus]

G C G F C

I learned the Hard Way but the hard way taught me well the hard way

G C F C

Sure put this boy through some hell The hard way it taught me how to tell

C G C A G C

The right way from the wrong and on which side I belong on

G C F

Oh, the hells I put myself through

G C

The fights I didn't need to fight

G F

This thick head of mine ya couldn't get through

G C G C

Had to do it wrong just to get it right ...just to get it right

[Chorus]

G C G F C

I learned the Hard Way but the hard way taught me well the hard way

G C F C

Sure put this boy through some hell The hard way it taught me how to tell

C G C A G C

The right way from the wrong and on which side I belong on

C G C C C

The hard way I learned the hard way I learned the hard way

About The Hard Way Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play The Hard Way by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Hard Way chords”, “The Hard Way guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash The Hard Way 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 The Hard Way chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Hard Way lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, F, A.

FAQ — The Hard Way by Johnny Cash

How do I play "The Hard Way" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Hard Way" 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 "The Hard Way" by Johnny Cash free?

Yes. The chords for "The Hard Way" by Johnny Cash are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Hard Way" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Hard Way"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Hard Way" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Hard Way" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Hard Way" 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 "The Hard Way" in?

The chords for "The Hard Way" show the original chord names (including G, C, F, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.