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Sam Stone

Chords

4.71,052 votes

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Sam Stone chords
Capo III *
Sam DStone came home,
to his Gwife and family,
after Aserving in the conflict overDseas.
And the time that he served,
had Gshattered all his nerves,
and Aleft a little shrapnel in his Dknee. 
But the Gmorphine eased the pain,
and the grass grew round his brain,
and E7gave him all the confidence he Alacked;
with a EPurple Heart and a E7monkey on his Aback.
There's a Dhole in daddy's arm where all the Emmoney goes,
and GJesus Christ died for nothin' I supApose.
Little Dpitchers have big ears,
don't Bmstop to count the years,
sweet E7songs never last too Elong on broken radiAos. AMmAsus4m....A  A  
Sam DStone's welcome home,
didn't Glast too long,
he Awent to work when he'd spent his last Ddime
And Sammy took to stealing,
when he Ggot that empty feeling,
for a Ahundred dollar habit without overDtime. 
And the Ggold rolled through his veins,
like a thousand railroad trains,
and E7eased his mind in the hours that he Achose;
while the Ekids ran around E7wearin' other peoples' Aclothes...
There's a Dhole in daddy's arm where all the Emmoney goes,
and GJesus Christ died for nothin' I supApose.
Little Dpitchers have big ears,
don't Bmstop to count the years,
sweet E7songs never last too Elong on broken radiAos. AMmAsus4m....A  A  
Sam DStone was alone,
when he Gpopped his last balloon,
Aclimbing walls while sitting in a Dchair
Well, he played his last request,
while the Groom smelled just like death,
with an Aoverdose hovering in the Dair
But Glife had lost its fun,
and there was nothing to be done,
but E7trade his house that he bought on the G, I. ABill;
for a Eflag draped casket on a E7local heroes' Ahill
There's a Dhole in daddy's arm where all the Emmoney goes,
and GJesus Christ died for nothin' I supApose.
Little Dpitchers have big ears,
don't Bmstop to count the years,
sweet E7songs never last too Elong on broken radiAos. AMmAsus4m....A  A  
AMmAsus4m....A  D  
     D= F  
     G= Bb  
     A= C  
 Asus4= Csus4  
    E7= G7  
     E= G  
    Em= Gm  
    Bm= Dm  
Capo I
     D= E  
     G= A  
     A= B  
 Asus4= Bsus4  
    E7= F#7  
     E= F#  
    Em= F#m  
    Bm= C#m  
Open (These chords are not in the original key)
     D= G  
     G= C  
     A= D  
 Asus4= Dsus4  
    E7= A7  
     E= A  
    Em= Am  
    Bm= Em  

All chords in this song (24)

The story behind the song

This song tells the poignant story of Sam Stone, a veteran who returns from "serving in the conflict overseas" with a Purple Heart, only to succumb to drug addiction and die from an overdose. It explores the devastating impact of addiction, particularly referencing heroin or morphine use, which historically affected many veterans. The song's powerful refrain, "There's a hole in Daddy's arm where all the money goes," vividly captures the destructive cycle of addiction. At its heart, "Sam Stone" is a mournful reflection on the hidden costs of war and the struggles faced by those who return home.

AI-written from these sources:Sam Stone (song) — Wikipedia ↗John Prine — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

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

Sam Stone

by John Prine

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Asus4

Csus4

Bsus4

F#7

F#m

C#m

Dsus4

Sam Stone chords

Capo III *

Sam Stone came home,

to his wife and family,

A D

after serving in the conflict overseas.

And the time that he served,

had shattered all his nerves,

A D

and left a little shrapnel in his knee.

But the morphine eased the pain,

and the grass grew round his brain,

E7 A

and gave him all the confidence he lacked;

E E7 A

with a Purple Heart and a monkey on his back.

D Em

There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes,

G A

and Jesus Christ died for nothin' I suppose.

Little pitchers have big ears,

don't stop to count the years,

E7 E A A Asus4 A A

sweet songs never last too long on broken radios. Mmm....

Sam Stone's welcome home,

didn't last too long,

A D

he went to work when he'd spent his last dime

And Sammy took to stealing,

when he got that empty feeling,

A D

for a hundred dollar habit without overtime.

And the gold rolled through his veins,

like a thousand railroad trains,

E7 A

and eased his mind in the hours that he chose;

E E7 A

while the kids ran around wearin' other peoples' clothes...

D Em

There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes,

G A

and Jesus Christ died for nothin' I suppose.

Little pitchers have big ears,

don't stop to count the years,

E7 E A A Asus4 A A

sweet songs never last too long on broken radios. Mmm....

Sam Stone was alone,

when he popped his last balloon,

A D

climbing walls while sitting in a chair

Well, he played his last request,

while the room smelled just like death,

A D

with an overdose hovering in the air

But life had lost its fun,

and there was nothing to be done,

E7 A

but trade his house that he bought on the G, I. Bill;

E E7 A

for a flag draped casket on a local heroes' hill

D Em

There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes,

G A

and Jesus Christ died for nothin' I suppose.

Little pitchers have big ears,

don't stop to count the years,

E7 E A A Asus4 A A

sweet songs never last too long on broken radios. Mmm....

A Asus4 A D

Mmm....

D F

G Bb

A C

Asus4 Csus4

E7 G7

E G

Em Gm

Bm Dm

Capo I

D E

G A

A B

Asus4 Bsus4

E7 F#7

E F#

Em F#m

Bm C#m

Open (These chords are not in the original key)

D G

G C

A D

Asus4 Dsus4

E7 A7

E A

Em Am

Bm Em

About Sam Stone Chords by John Prine

Learn how to play Sam Stone by John Prine with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Sam Stone chords”, “Sam Stone guitar chords”, or “John Prine Sam Stone 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 Sam Stone chords and for experienced players who want accurate Sam Stone lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, A, E7, E, Em.

FAQ — Sam Stone by John Prine

How do I play "Sam Stone" by John Prine on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Sam Stone" 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 "Sam Stone" by John Prine free?

Yes. The chords for "Sam Stone" by John Prine are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Sam Stone" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Sam Stone"?

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

Is "Sam Stone" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Sam Stone" 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 "Sam Stone" in?

The chords for "Sam Stone" show the original chord names (including D, G, A, E7, E, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.