Brought Up That Way
View chords used in this chart
G
Emily comes home from school
G6
Grabs on to her daddy's hand
G
He says baby girl what's wrong with you
G6
She says, please don't make me go back there again
C C2
She said I wish there was some way to make 'em stop it
C G D -once
So he drives down to that principal's office, and says
G
I didn't bring her up
G6
So they could cut her down
C
I didn't bring her here
C2
So they could shut her out
G
I live my whole damn life
G6
To see that little girl smile
C C2
So why are tears pouring down that sweet face?
G
She wasn't brought up that way
G
Emily's home late again
G6
He sees that boy drive away
G
Oh, but something's different this time
G6
She doesn't have too much to say
C C2
She said he tried, but there just some things I won't do
C G
And through the tears she said I couldn't do that to you
D -once
And he said,
G
I didn't bring you up
G6
So he could wear you down
C
Take that innocent heart
C2
And turn it inside out
G
I live my whole damn life
G6
To see my little girl smile
C G
So don't let nobody take that away
G6
You weren't brought up that way
( G G6 C C2 C G D )
G
The phone rings on a rainy night
Cadd9
Says it's Officer Tate
G
He said, Sir there's been an accident
Cadd9
You better come down here right away
C C2
A drunken driver missed an over-pass
C G D
And Emily, she's fading fast, he says God
G
I didn't bring her up
G6
To watch them lay her Down
C C2
Nearly killed me the day they put her mama in the ground
G G6
Only thing kept me alive was that little girl's smile
C G
So please don't take that away
C G
It won't be easy taking her today
G6
She wasn't brought up that way
G
He stands over the hospital bed
C
Emily opens her eyes
How to play Brought Up That Way
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is G. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.