The Hostage

Chords00
Listen on
YouTubeSpotifyApple Music
15
Original
Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams
Judy Collins - The Hostage
[Verse 1]
Dm G Dm
I'm a guard in the grey iron prison, at least I was 'till now
G Bb Dm
It was never a picnic social, never a day
G Dm
They never come in laughing and you know they never taught them how
G Bb Dm
It was damn hard work, and you wouldn't believe the pay
[Verse 2]
G Dm
It was early in the morning, lord, I wasn't but half awake
G Bb Dm
When the cons went nuts, and took us by surprise
G Dm
I never was one for shaking, but I found it hard to stand
G Bb Dm
With a six-inch blade held right before my eyes
[Verse 3]
G Dm
We could hear a siren blowing, somebody yelled in pain
G Bb Dm
Then it got so quiet, you could hear a bird walk by
G Dm
They all had masks on their faces, and they spoke with a voice of Cain
G Bb Dm
"If they come in shooting, then you know you're bound to die"
[Verse 4]
G Dm
I turned to a buddy named Willie, I said "Willie, it'll be all right
G Bb Dm
If they meant to kill us we'd be half way down to Hell
See, they high-jacked a plane in the desert
G Dm
And the government screamed and cried
G Bb Dm
But to save some lives, they opened up a prison cell"
[Verse 5]
G Dm
So the days kept coming and going, tension was getting high
G Bb Dm
But I wasn't too worried, I figured I knew the score
G Dm
I knew they were talking to someone, I knew they were willing to try
G Bb Dm
So I figured my freedom was a matter of a day or two more
[Verse 6]
G Dm
But, Jesus, early this morning, the whirlybird dropped the gas
G Bb Dm
It made me puke and it brought me to my knees
G Dm
The bullets came like hailstones, I heard the first ones pass
G Bb Dm
Then they cut down Willie, and they got Jim Kelly and me
[Verse 7]
G Dm
They come in yelling curses, like they were crossing the River Rhine
G Bb Dm
Shot down every goddamned thing they saw
G Dm
And while I lay there wounded, I took another one in my spine
G Bb Dm
Poor Jim Kelly took another one in his jaw
[Verse 8]
G Dm
They say we had our throats cut by a band of desperate men
G Bb Dm
Say they saved as many of us as they could
G Dm
Well, the governor he should know it, but I think I'll say it again
G Bb Dm
That the governor cut my throat and he cut it good
[Verse 9]
G Dm
Let them take the governor, hold him for a couple of days
G Bb Dm
See who goes in shooting to set him free
G Dm
Hell, they'd open every jail in the country, they'd send them on their way
G Bb Dm
They'd never do to him what the governor done to me

The Hostage chords and lyrics

Free chords for The Hostage by Judy Collins. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

Judy Collins - The Hostage
[Verse 1]
[Verse 2]
[Verse 3]
[Verse 4]
See, they high-jacked a plane in the desert
[Verse 5]
[Verse 6]
[Verse 7]
[Verse 8]
[Verse 9]

The Hostage Chords by Judy Collins

Learn how to play The Hostage by Judy Collins with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Hostage chords”, “The Hostage guitar chords”, or “Judy Collins The Hostage 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 Hostage chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Hostage lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dm, G, Bb.

Frequently asked questions about The Hostage

How do I play "The Hostage" by Judy Collins on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Hostage" by Judy Collins 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 Hostage" by Judy Collins free?

Yes. The chords for "The Hostage" by Judy Collins are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

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

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Hostage"?

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

Is "The Hostage" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "The Hostage" in?

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

The Hostage Chords · Judy Collins