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The Hitter

Chords

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3/4  | G / / | G / / | G / /| G / / |
GCome to the door, Ma, and unlock Cthe chaiGn
I was just passin' through and got caught in the rCain
There's nothin' I want, nothin' that you need sGay
Just let me lie down for a while and I'll Dbe on my wGay
I was no moGre than a kid when you put me on the CSouthern GQueen
With the police on my back I fled to New OrleCans
I fought in the dockyards and with the money I mGade
I knew the fight was my home and bDlood was my trGade
GBaton Rouge, Poncitoula, and CLafayette Gtown
Well they paid me their money, Ma, I knocked the men dCown
I did what I did well it come easilGy
                                                  D   G|
Restraint and mercy, Ma, were always strangers to me
HARP SOLO
|  G|  G|  G|  C| C|  Em|  Em|  G|  C|  C|  C|  G|  G|  G| G  
I fought cGhampion Jack Thompson in a Cfield full of Gmud
Rain poured through the tent to the canvas and mixed with our bClood
In the twelfth I slipped my tongue over my broken jGaw
I stood over him and pounded his bloody body into the flCoor
Well the bell rang and rang and still I kept oGn
'Till I felt my glove leather slip 'tweDen his skin and bGone
Then the wGomen and the money came fast and the Cdays I lost Gtrack
The women red, the money green, but the numbers were blCack
I fought for the men in their silk suits to lay down their bGets
I took my good share, Ma, I hDave no regreGts
Then I took the fGix at the state armory with Cbig John McGDowell
From high in the rafters I watched myself Cfall
As he raised his arm my stomach twisted and the sky it went Gblack
I stuffed my bag with their good money and I nDever looked baGck
UndersCtand, in the end, Ma, every man plays the gGame
If you know me one different then sDpeak out his naGme
MCa if my voice now you don't recognize
Then just opGen the door and look inDto your dark eyGes
I aCsk of you nothin', not a kiss not a smile, 
Just oGpen the door and let me lie dDown for a whGile
Now the gGray rain's fallin' and my ring Cfightin's Gdone
So in the work fields and alleys I take all who'll cCome
If you're a better man than me then just step to the lGine
Show me your money and speak out your cCrime
Now there's nothin' I want, Ma, nothin' that you need sGay
Just let me lie down for a while and I'll Dbe on my wGay
TonigGht in the shipyard a man draws a circle in the dirt
I move to the center and I take off my sChirt
I study him for the cuts, the scars, the pain, Man, nor time can eGrase
I move hard to the left and I Dstrike to the CfaceG  

All chords in this song (4)

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The Hitter

by Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

3/4 | G / / | G / / | G / /| G / / |

G C G

Come to the door, Ma, and unlock the chain

I was just passin' through and got caught in the rain

There's nothin' I want, nothin' that you need say

D G

Just let me lie down for a while and I'll be on my way

G C G

I was no more than a kid when you put me on the Southern Queen

With the police on my back I fled to New Orleans

I fought in the dockyards and with the money I made

D G

I knew the fight was my home and blood was my trade

G C G

Baton Rouge, Poncitoula, and Lafayette town

Well they paid me their money, Ma, I knocked the men down

I did what I did well it come easily

D G

Restraint and mercy, Ma, were always strangers to me

HARP SOLO

G G G C C Em Em G C C C G G G G

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

G C G

I fought champion Jack Thompson in a field full of mud

Rain poured through the tent to the canvas and mixed with our blood

In the twelfth I slipped my tongue over my broken jaw

I stood over him and pounded his bloody body into the floor

Well the bell rang and rang and still I kept on

D G

'Till I felt my glove leather slip 'tween his skin and bone

G C G

Then the women and the money came fast and the days I lost track

The women red, the money green, but the numbers were black

I fought for the men in their silk suits to lay down their bets

D G

I took my good share, Ma, I have no regrets

G C G

Then I took the fix at the state armory with big John McDowell

From high in the rafters I watched myself fall

As he raised his arm my stomach twisted and the sky it went black

D G

I stuffed my bag with their good money and I never looked back

C G

Understand, in the end, Ma, every man plays the game

D G

If you know me one different then speak out his name

Ma if my voice now you don't recognize

G D G

Then just open the door and look into your dark eyes

I ask of you nothin', not a kiss not a smile,

G D G

Just open the door and let me lie down for a while

G C G

Now the gray rain's fallin' and my ring fightin's done

So in the work fields and alleys I take all who'll come

If you're a better man than me then just step to the line

Show me your money and speak out your crime

Now there's nothin' I want, Ma, nothin' that you need say

D G

Just let me lie down for a while and I'll be on my way

Tonight in the shipyard a man draws a circle in the dirt

I move to the center and I take off my shirt

I study him for the cuts, the scars, the pain, Man, nor time can erase

D C G

I move hard to the left and I strike to the face

About The Hitter Chords by Bruce Springsteen

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

FAQ — The Hitter by Bruce Springsteen

How do I play "The Hitter" by Bruce Springsteen on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Hitter" by Bruce Springsteen 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 Hitter" by Bruce Springsteen free?

Yes. The chords for "The Hitter" by Bruce Springsteen are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

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

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Hitter"?

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

Is "The Hitter" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Hitter" by Bruce Springsteen with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bruce Springsteen below.

What key is "The Hitter" in?

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