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Hows It Gonna End

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Chords: Damp with palm muting and alternate the bass notes.
Am:   002210
C:    x32010
Dm:   x00231
E:    022100
E7:   020100
Intor: Am  
He had Amthree whole Cdollars, a Dmworn out car
A Cwife who was Eleaving for Amgood
Life's made of Ctrouble, Dmworry, pain and struggle
She wrote goodbye in the Cdust on the Ehood
They found a Dmmap of Missouri, Amlipstick on a glass
They Dmmust have left in the Cmiddle of the Enight
And DmI..    Ewant to know the Amsame thing 
Everyone wants to Dmknow, how's it Egoing to Amend
Behind Amthe smoke coCloured curtDmain the girl disappeared
ThCey found out Ethat the riAmng was a fake
A tree born croCoked will Dmnever grow straight
She sunk like a hammCer into the Elake
Long lost letDmter and an old leAmaky boat
PromiDmses are neveCr meant to keeEp
And DmI... Ewant to know the saAmme thing 
I wanna know hDmow's it gEoing to eAmnd
The barAmn leaned oveCr, the vultDmures dried their wings
ThCe moon climbEed up an empAmty sky
The sun sank doCwn behind Dmthe tree on a hill
There's a killer and Che's coming Ethrough the rye
But maybe he'Dms the father of tAmhat lost little girl
It's Dmhard to tell Cin this lightE  
And DmI... Ewant to know the saAmme thing 
                  Dm                     Am   /B /C
Everyone wants to know how's it going to end
 DmTied your wagon and you plough over the bones of the dead
Out among the roses and the Amweeds
And you can Dmnever go back and the answer is no
And wishing for it Conly makes it E7bleed
Joe TorAmnabenny was Cbroken on tDmhe whell
ShCane and Bum EMahoney on tAmhe lamb
The grain was aCs gold as DmSheila's hair
All the way from LivCerpool with Eall we could steal
He was robbed Dmof twenty dollarAms his body found stripped
Cast Dminot the harCbour there and Edrowned
And DmI... Ewant to know the saAmme thing 
We all wanna know Dmhow's it goEing to endAm  
The sirAmens are snakCing their wDmay up the hill 
I'Cts last call Esomewhere iAmn the world
The reptiles blCend in wiDmth the colour of the street
Life is sweet at the Cedge of a rEazor
And down in tDmhe first row of aAmn old picture show
An olDmd man is aslCeep the credit Estarts to roll
And DmI wanEt to know the same Amthing 
We all wanna know how's it going to end
I waDmnt to Eknow the same thinAmg 
We all wanna know Dmhow's it goEing to enAmd
And DmI jusEt wanna know the saAmme thing 
I wanna know how's Dmit going Eto eAmnd

All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

Tom Waits is known for his keen and sympathetic portrayal of society's adrift and downtrodden, often creating three-dimensional characters capable of insight even in their confusion. His music draws from diverse genres, and his distinctive voice is often described as gravelly and soaked in bourbon. Playing this song, you might channel the spirit of a storyteller observing the fringes, reflecting on life's uncertain outcomes.

AI-written from these sources:Tom Waits — Wikipedia ↗

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Hows It Gonna End

by Tom Waits

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Chords: Damp with palm muting and alternate the bass notes.

Am: 002210

C: x32010

Dm: x00231

E: 022100

E7: 020100

Intor:

Am C Dm

He had three whole dollars, a worn out car

C E Am

A wife who was leaving for good

C Dm

Life's made of trouble, worry, pain and struggle

C E

She wrote goodbye in the dust on the hood

Dm Am

They found a map of Missouri, lipstick on a glass

Dm C E

They must have left in the middle of the night

Dm E Am

And I.. want to know the same thing

Dm E Am

Everyone wants to know, how's it going to end

Am C Dm

Behind the smoke coloured curtain the girl disappeared

C E Am

They found out that the ring was a fake

C Dm

A tree born crooked will never grow straight

C E

She sunk like a hammer into the lake

Dm Am

Long lost letter and an old leaky boat

Dm C E

Promises are never meant to keep

Dm E Am

And I... want to know the same thing

Dm E Am

I wanna know how's it going to end

Am C Dm

The barn leaned over, the vultures dried their wings

C E Am

The moon climbed up an empty sky

C Dm

The sun sank down behind the tree on a hill

C E

There's a killer and he's coming through the rye

Dm Am

But maybe he's the father of that lost little girl

Dm C E

It's hard to tell in this light

Dm E Am

And I... want to know the same thing

Dm Am /B /C

Everyone wants to know how's it going to end

Tied your wagon and you plough over the bones of the dead

Out among the roses and the weeds

And you can never go back and the answer is no

C E7

And wishing for it only makes it bleed

Am C Dm

Joe Tornabenny was broken on the whell

C E Am

Shane and Bum Mahoney on the lamb

C Dm

The grain was as gold as Sheila's hair

C E

All the way from Liverpool with all we could steal

Dm Am

He was robbed of twenty dollars his body found stripped

Dm C E

Cast inot the harbour there and drowned

Dm E Am

And I... want to know the same thing

Dm E Am

We all wanna know how's it going to end

Am C Dm

The sirens are snaking their way up the hill

C E Am

I'ts last call somewhere in the world

C Dm

The reptiles blend in with the colour of the street

C E

Life is sweet at the edge of a razor

Dm Am

And down in the first row of an old picture show

Dm C E

An old man is asleep the credit starts to roll

Dm E Am

And I want to know the same thing

We all wanna know how's it going to end

Dm E Am

I want to know the same thing

Dm E Am

We all wanna know how's it going to end

Dm E Am

And I just wanna know the same thing

Dm E Am

I wanna know how's it going to end

About Hows It Gonna End Chords by Tom Waits

Learn how to play Hows It Gonna End by Tom Waits with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Hows It Gonna End chords”, “Hows It Gonna End guitar chords”, or “Tom Waits Hows It Gonna End 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 Hows It Gonna End chords and for experienced players who want accurate Hows It Gonna End lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, C, Dm, E, E7, A.

FAQ — Hows It Gonna End by Tom Waits

How do I play "Hows It Gonna End" by Tom Waits on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Hows It Gonna End" by Tom Waits 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 "Hows It Gonna End" by Tom Waits free?

Yes. The chords for "Hows It Gonna End" by Tom Waits are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Hows It Gonna End" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Hows It Gonna End"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Hows It Gonna End" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Hows It Gonna End" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Hows It Gonna End" by Tom Waits with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Tom Waits below.

What key is "Hows It Gonna End" in?

The chords for "Hows It Gonna End" show the original chord names (including Am, C, Dm, E, E7, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.