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The Hardway

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Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
GSome people gotta learn the hardC2way
I guess I'm tGhe kinda guy
That has to find out foC2r myself
GI had to learn the hardwaC2y, Father
GI'm on my knees and IC2'm crying for Ghelp
 G   C2[8x]
[Verse 1]
GNow I've been high and I've bC2een low
GI've been some places that you wC2ill not go
GI never thought there would coC2me the day
GWhen I wished I never would've C2lived this way
EmBut I've been searching for a lDong, long time
EmI thought the devil was a friend Dof mine
EmI turned my back on everything tDhat was true
EmAnd wasted years that belong to Dyou
[Chorus]
GSome people gotta learn the hC2ardway
I guess I'm tGhe kinda guy
That has to find out foC2r myself
GI had to learn the hardwaC2y, Father
GI'm on my knees and IC2'm crying for helEmp
[Verse 2]
GIt took so long for mC2e to see
GThat I'm a victim of C2nature and me
GLeft to myself I reC2alize
GI am the maker of my C2own demise
EmBut you accept me every time Dand again
EmAnd never mention just how seDlfish I've been
EmWhy must it always take me so lDong to see
EmThat I have fallen but you will Dforgive me?
[Chorus]
GSome people gotta learn C2the hardway
I guess I'Gm the kinda guy
That has to find ouC2t for myself
GI had to learn the hardC2way, Father
GI'm on my knees and C2I'm crying
[Solo]
Em C2 G Bm
G C2 Em D
[Chorus]
GSome people gotta learn thC2e hardway
I guess I'm Gthe kinda guy
That has to find C2out for myself
GI had to learn the hC2ardway, Father
GI'm on my knees anC2d I'm crying
[Rap]
GThe warning signs are like flares in the night
C2Still I proceed my greed is in spite of the fire
GI know that's bound to burn
C2Why is it that I always gotta learn…C2  
[Outro]
GThe hardway, C2the hardwayG, I had to learn the C2hardway
GThe hardway, C2the hardwayG, I had to learn thC2e hardway
 G   C2[8x]

All chords in this song (5)

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The Hardway

by dc Talk

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

G C2

Some people gotta learn the hardway

I guess I'm the kinda guy

That has to find out for myself

G C2

I had to learn the hardway, Father

G C2 G

I'm on my knees and I'm crying for help

G C2

[8x]

[Verse 1]

G C2

Now I've been high and I've been low

G C2

I've been some places that you will not go

G C2

I never thought there would come the day

G C2

When I wished I never would've lived this way

Em D

But I've been searching for a long, long time

Em D

I thought the devil was a friend of mine

Em D

I turned my back on everything that was true

Em D

And wasted years that belong to you

[Chorus]

G C2

Some people gotta learn the hardway

I guess I'm the kinda guy

That has to find out for myself

G C2

I had to learn the hardway, Father

G C2 Em

I'm on my knees and I'm crying for help

[Verse 2]

G C2

It took so long for me to see

G C2

That I'm a victim of nature and me

G C2

Left to myself I realize

G C2

I am the maker of my own demise

Em D

But you accept me every time and again

Em D

And never mention just how selfish I've been

Em D

Why must it always take me so long to see

Em D

That I have fallen but you will forgive me?

[Chorus]

G C2

Some people gotta learn the hardway

I guess I'm the kinda guy

That has to find out for myself

G C2

I had to learn the hardway, Father

G C2

I'm on my knees and I'm crying

[Solo]

Em C2 G Bm

G C2 Em D

[Chorus]

G C2

Some people gotta learn the hardway

I guess I'm the kinda guy

That has to find out for myself

G C2

I had to learn the hardway, Father

G C2

I'm on my knees and I'm crying

[Rap]

The warning signs are like flares in the night

Still I proceed my greed is in spite of the fire

I know that's bound to burn

C2 C2

Why is it that I always gotta learn…

[Outro]

G C2 G C2

The hardway, the hardway, I had to learn the hardway

G C2 G C2

The hardway, the hardway, I had to learn the hardway

G C2

[8x]

About The Hardway Chords by dc Talk

Learn how to play The Hardway by dc Talk with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Hardway chords”, “The Hardway guitar chords”, or “dc Talk The Hardway 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 Hardway chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Hardway lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C2, Em, D, Bm.

FAQ — The Hardway by dc Talk

How do I play "The Hardway" by dc Talk on guitar?

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Can I transpose "The Hardway" to a different key?

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Can I see chord diagrams for "The Hardway"?

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

Is "The Hardway" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Hardway" in?

The chords for "The Hardway" show the original chord names (including G, C2, Em, D, Bm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.