Difficulty
Beginner πΆ
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Key: G
πΈ Intro:
G
πΈ Verse 1:
G
Mama told me Daddy ran away with the circus
G
I guess it musta been the greatest show on earth
G
Preacher told me hell's full of them that deserve it
Bm
Good news and bad, son, which one ya want first
πΈ Chorus:
C G
Sometimes you're the hammer
D Em D
Sometimes you're the nail
C G
Like my Daddy before me
D
This is where the apple fell
C G
Beatin the odds and comin up roses
Em C
Ain't my story to tell
D
The whole world swings the hammer
G
And I'm the nail
πΈ Verse 2:
G
Trouble seems to find me like it ain't even trying
G
Eye in the sky got my name in a file
G
Cop said, son, what the hell are you thinkin
Bm
Judge said, boy, you're goin away for a while
πΈ Chorus:
C G
Sometimes you're the hammer
D Em D
Sometimes you're the nail
C G
Like my Daddy before me
D
This is where the apple fell
C G
Beatin the odds and comin up roses
Em C
Ain't my story to tell
D
The whole world swings the hammer
F
And I'm the nail
πΈ Interlude:
G F G F G
F G
Guitar πΈ Solo:
F G F G F G
F G
Out-πΈ Chorus:
C G
Sometimes you're the hammer
D Em D
Sometimes you're the nail
C G
Like my Daddy before me
D
This is where the apple fell
C G
Beatin the odds and comin up roses
Em C
Ain't my story to tell
D
The whole world swings the hammer
G
And I'm the nail
Song History
Published: November 18, 2023
Last Updated: September 10, 2025