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Goin By The Book

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[Intro]
Am
[Verse 1]
AmYou can see it in the movies, in the Cpaper and the DTV Amnews.
AmSombody's army is Calways Don the Ammove.
AmThere's gonna be a battle, the Clines have been drawn, they got Dguns and
tanks and Amplanes.
AThe wells have gone dry and the Cwater is bad and in the Dair is acid Amrain.
[Verse 2]
AmThere's war after war and Crumors of Dwar from the AmEast.
AmThere's a rumblin' in the ground and they're Ctalkin' abDout the Ambeast
AmGood mothers cry 'cause the Crivers run high with the Dblood of too many Amsons.
AmSome people say peace is Con the way but the Dworst is still to Amcome.
[Chorus]
Am'cause the prophets wrote about it and CJesus spoke about it and
DJohn got to take a Amlook.
AmAnd he told us what he saw and it's Ceasy to see, Dit's goin' by the Ambook
AmIt's goin' by the book.
[Guitar and Brass Solo]
Am   C   D   Am(x2), Am  
[Verse 3]
AmThere's armies in the cities and the mCissiles stand rDeady for fAmlight.
AmA pale horse rides like the Cwind acDross the Amnight.
AmAnd that rumblin' in the desert like Cthunder gettin' closer,
are the Dtrumpets gettin' ready to Amblow?
AmThere's gonna be a shout that will Cwake the dead,
we'd Dbetter be ready to Amgo.
[Chorus]
Am'cause the prophets wrote about it and CJesus spoke about it and
DJohn got to take a Amlook.
AmAnd he told us what he saw and it's Ceasy to see, Dit's goin' by the Ambook
AmIt's goin' by the book.
[Outro]
AmIt's goin' by the book.
(Repeat and fade)
All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

"Goin By The Book" finds Johnny Cash exploring themes of moral tribulation and redemption, a common thread in his later work. Known for his deep, calm voice and a demeanor that grew increasingly somber and humble, Cash often channeled his personal experiences and beliefs into his music. This song, appearing on the album The Mystery of Life, reflects the "Man in Black"'s journey through sorrow and his search for spiritual guidance. It plays like a personal testament to living a life guided by principle.

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

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About Goin By The Book Chords by Johnny Cash

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

FAQ — Goin By The Book by Johnny Cash

How do I play "Goin By The Book" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Goin By The Book" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Goin By The Book"?

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

Is "Goin By The Book" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Goin By The Book" 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 "Goin By The Book" in?

The chords for "Goin By The Book" show the original chord names (including Am, C, D, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.