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Prodigal Son

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Tempo 80 BPM

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Step 1 / 1Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO open

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Prodigal Son - Bruce Springsteen
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tabbed by: Nick V.
E-mail: BlindTerry333@gmail.com
Another lost classic from the '72 solo recordings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnWgW1-7ABQ
Tuning: EADGBe
Circulating version is about a 1/4 step sharp.
  Alt. C in instrumental sections
e|-----3-------------------------|
B|-----1-------------------------|
G|-----0-------------------------|
D|-----2-------------------------|
A|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
[Intro]
  G  C
|  | 
[Verse 1]
      G                        C
In a place where outlaws are banned from the range
      G               Bm       Am
On a day that mountains have fallen to foes
      Am                          D
In a land where boys are forbidden to grow
     C             C/B  D
And metal is the only master
          G                       C
Where the highway ends and the desert breaks
       G             Bm       Am
And buildings are bent from great earthquakes
Am                             D
Statesmen crawl on their bellies like snakes
    C                C/B        D
And feed off the public hunger
      C                        G
In a land where skyscrapers scratch the sky
       C            C/B              G
And delinquent daughters to their mothers still lie
C                          D
Papa stands on the corner he wants to beat the drum
         C      D       G C  G C
                           |   
Welcome home my prodigal son
[Verse 2]
     G                             C
When rivers run raging through city streets
     G                    Bm             Am
And great eagles have fallen from their lofty peaks
     Am                     D
And policemen moonlight as sideshow freaks
           C         C/B            D
Before the final crime is committed
       G                    C
When presidents ride in Ford Mustangs
          G           Bm        Am
And the black man releases his Cadillac fangs
           Am                          D
And you're checked out in bed as the landlord bangs
      C             C/B                D
The young girl next door for the rent
      C                      G
Where telegraph wires are attached to your mind
 C                             G
Delinquent daughters to their mothers still lie
C                            D
Papa stands on the corner waiting to beat the drum
          C     D       G C  G C
                           |   
Welcome home my prodigal son
[Verse 3]
          G                    C
When the telephone rings and falls off the hook
          G                Bm             Am
And your legs have been stolen by some defense department crook
           Am                          D
And you're starting to think about writing a book
              C                  C/B            D
But now you won't pledge allegiance to anything
         G                 C
And the maid comes in with coffee and cake
      G          Bm           Am
In a low-cut dress she wore just for your sake
     Am                                D
You explain you're not dead, and she takes it as a compliment
        C                 C/B                D
Sticks out her tongue and asks for requests
      C                        G
In a land where skyscrapers scratch the sky
       C            C/B              G
And delinquent daughters to their mothers still lie
C                           D
Papa stands on the corner waiting to beat the drum
   C            D       G C  G C
                           |   
Welcome home my prodigal son
[Verse 4]
         G                   C
And the mercury men with hydraulic joints
       G           Bm                Am
They bribe with a smile and hold you up in the alley at pen point
      Am                           D
They ask you to bend over that they may anoint
              C       C/B                D
You with the holy water of your profession
          G                        C
When the line between love and hate gets so thin
           G           Bm            Am
And your body takes over when your mind gives in
         Am                           D
And your lady lover demands that you pin her to the floor
              C           C/B              D
But it's too late, your reflexes are shot
         G                             C
And the man on the corner with the nervous twitch
G          Bm                     Am
Whispers, "Hey, how'd you like to buy a nice bitch?
         Am                        D
She's a thirty-eight and I got her loaded in all six"
         C     C/B                        D
He keeps talking and you just keep walking
        G                           C
And you reach for the sky and get stuck on a steeple
    G              Bm              Am
You reach out for love but you get lost in the people
     Am                           D
You run through the canyon screaming like an eagle
         C                         D
And you fall face first in the mud
      C                        G
In a land where skyscrapers scratch the sky
       C                                  G
And delinquent daughters have their own children who lie
  C                     C/B                  D
Papa stands on the corner watching the parade he wants to beat the drum
          C C/B     D      G      C   G C  G C  G C
                                    |    |    |   
Welcome home, welcome home my prodigal son
         C   D     G        C      G
Welcome home,  my prodigal son
Questions, comments, insults...BlindTerry333

Prodigal Son chords and lyrics

Free chords for Prodigal Son by Bruce Springsteen. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

Another lost classic from the '72 solo recordings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnWgW1-7ABQ
Tuning: EADGBe
Circulating version is about a 1/4 step sharp.
[Intro]
| G | C
[Verse 1]
[Verse 2]
[Verse 3]
[Verse 4]
Questions, comments, insults...BlindTerry333

Prodigal Son Chords by Bruce Springsteen

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

Frequently asked questions about Prodigal Son

How do I play "Prodigal Son" by Bruce Springsteen on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Prodigal Son" 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 "Prodigal Son" by Bruce Springsteen free?

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

Can I transpose "Prodigal Son" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Prodigal Son"?

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

Is "Prodigal Son" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Prodigal Son" 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 "Prodigal Son" in?

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