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Lucky Ball And Chain

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1/34

Tempo 80 BPM

Sound:

Step 1 / 34Position: 2

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO open

I based this on the album version, but I got the bridge from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Ygjt0_hKs
In that video, it looks like where I have "B7" he is playing something different. However, I don't think it's
D6, as you'll find in other tabs of this song. D6 just doesn't quite sound right when compared to
either their live performances or the studio recording. I think B7 sounds better, but feel free to experiment
and leave a comment with what you think sounds best :)
Verse 1:
  G            Em
I lost my lucky ball & chain
    C                    D
And now she's four years gone
     G                 Em
Just five feet tall and sick of me
    C      D        G
And all my rattling on
    G              Em
She threw away her baby-doll
  C             D
I held on to my pride
    G               Em
But I was young and foolish then
       C       D       G
I feel old and foolish now.
B7 [Give it a listen to get the strum down.] 
Chorus:
     C                              G
Confidentially, she never called me baby-doll
     C                           G
Confidentially, I never had much pride
    C                            G
But now I rock a bar stool and I drink for two
     D              C               D
Just pondering this time bomb in my mind.
Verse 2:
  G             Em
I lost my lucky ball & chain
    C                    D
And now she's four years gone
     G                  Em
Just five feet tall and sick of me
    C      D        G
And all my rattling on                   
    G                  Em
She walked away from a happy man.
  C                D
I thought I was so cool.
G                  Em
I just stood there whistling
       C                   D                 G       Em
"There goes the bride" as she walked out the door
       C                 D                 G (strum 3 times and pause for a 1-beat rest.)
There goes the bride as she walked out the door
Bridge:
[h = hammer on, but in live performances, he often just plucks them individually. The D7 moving up 3 frets is
how they play it live; it's a little different on the album recording.]
              D7
             ()     
e|-------------|-2-2-2-2-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-11-11-11-11-|-2-2-2-2-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-11------|
B|-------------|-1-1-1-1-4-4-4-4-7-7-7-7-10-10-10-10-|-1-1-1-1-4-4-4-4-7-7-7-7-10------|
G|-------------|-2-2-2-2-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-11-11-11-11-|-2-2-2-2-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-11------|
D|---------0h2-|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
A|-----0h2-----|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
E|--3----------|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
Verse 3:
G                Em
I could shake my tiny fist
    C              D
And swear I wasn't wrong,
    G                   Em
But what's the sense in arguing
C           D   G
When you're all alone?
G                 Em
Sure as you can't steer a train
C                     D
You can't change your fate
G                Em
When she told me off that day
C          D       G
I knew I'd lost my home.
B7
Chorus:
     C                           G
Confidentially, I never told you of her charms
     C                         G
Confidentially, we never had a home
    C                               G
But this railroad apartment was the perfect place
D                  C              D
When she'd sit and hold me in her arms.
Repeat 2nd verse:
   G            Em
I lost my lucky ball & chain
     C                   D
And now she's four years gone
      G                 Em
Just five feet tall and sick of me
     C     D        G
And all my rattling on                   
     G                 Em
She walked away from a happy man.
   C               D
I thought I was so cool.
G                   Em
I just stood there whistling
       C                   D                 G         Em
"There goes the bride" as she walked out the door
       C                 D                   G         Em
There goes the bride as she walked out the door
      C                  D                   G
There goes the bride as she walked out the door.
[The song fades out on the album; in the live performances they usually end on G. I like to end by strumming
G three times, like in the video I linked at the top.]

Lucky Ball And Chain chords and lyrics

Free chords for Lucky Ball And Chain by They Might Be Giants. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

I based this on the album version, but I got the bridge from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Ygjt0_hKs
In that video, it looks like where I have "B7" he is playing something different. However, I don't think it's
D6, as you'll find in other tabs of this song. D6 just doesn't quite sound right when compared to
either their live performances or the studio recording. I think B7 sounds better, but feel free to experiment
and leave a comment with what you think sounds best :)
Verse 1:
B7 [Give it a listen to get the strum down.] 
Chorus:
Verse 2:
       C                 D                 G (strum 3 times and pause for a 1-beat rest.)
There goes the bride as she walked out the door
Bridge:
[h = hammer on, but in live performances, he often just plucks them individually. The D7 moving up 3 frets is
how they play it live; it's a little different on the album recording.]
Verse 3:
B7
Chorus:
Repeat 2nd verse:
[The song fades out on the album; in the live performances they usually end on G. I like to end by strumming
G three times, like in the video I linked at the top.]

Lucky Ball And Chain Chords by They Might Be Giants

Learn how to play Lucky Ball And Chain by They Might Be Giants with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Lucky Ball And Chain chords”, “Lucky Ball And Chain guitar chords”, or “They Might Be Giants Lucky Ball And Chain 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 Lucky Ball And Chain chords and for experienced players who want accurate Lucky Ball And Chain lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include B7, D6, G, Em, C, D.

Frequently asked questions about Lucky Ball And Chain

How do I play "Lucky Ball And Chain" by They Might Be Giants on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Lucky Ball And Chain" by They Might Be Giants 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 "Lucky Ball And Chain" by They Might Be Giants free?

Yes. The chords for "Lucky Ball And Chain" by They Might Be Giants are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Lucky Ball And Chain" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Lucky Ball And Chain"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Lucky Ball And Chain" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Lucky Ball And Chain" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Lucky Ball And Chain" by They Might Be Giants with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by They Might Be Giants below.

What key is "Lucky Ball And Chain" in?

The chords for "Lucky Ball And Chain" show the original chord names (including B7, D6, G, Em, C, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.