Capo
3
Difficulty
Intermediate
Rate for accuracy
🎸
Key: Bb
πΈ Intro:
G Cm G Cm
πΈ Verse 1:
G Cm G
Show me the prison
C G
Show me the jail
Em Am D
Show me the prisoner whose life has gone stale
G Em
And I'll show you, young man
C Am
With so many reasons why
Bm Em A D G Cm G
There but for fortune go you or I, mmm
πΈ Verse 2:
G Cm G
Show me the alley
C G
Show me the train
Em Am D
Show me the hobo who sleeps out in the rain
G Em
And I'll show you, young man
C Am
With so many reasons why
Bm Em A D G Cm G
There but for fortune go you or I, mmm
πΈ Verse 3:
G Cm G C G
Show me the whiskey stains on the floor
Em Am D
Show me the drunkard as he stumbles out the door
G Em
And I'll show you, young man
C Am
With so many reasons why
Bm Em A D G Cm G
There but for fortune go you or I, mmm
πΈ Verse 4:
G Cm G C G
Show me the country where the bombs had to fall
Em Am D
Show me the ruins of the buildings, once so tall
G Em
And I'll show you, young man
C Am
With so many reasons why
Bm Em A D
There but for fortune go you and I
G Ab Cm G
You and I
Other versions of this song
- There But For Fortune (Tabs)
Song History
Published: June 19, 2022
Last Updated: September 10, 2025