Hard Times
View chords used in this chart
A7/13 D6 F#7
My mother told me before she passed away
Bm7 Bm7/E D5+ D7
Said, "Son, when I'm gone, don't forget to pray
G6 Edim D6 B7
'Cause there'll be hard times, Lord those hard times
E7/9 E7 G/B A7/13- D6 Cdim Em7 G/B A4/7 A7
Who knows better than I"
A7/13- D6 F#7
Well I soon found out just what she meant
Bm7 Bm7/E D5+ D7
When I had to pawn my clothes just to pay the rent
G6 Edim D6 B7
Talkin' 'about hard times, hard times
E7/9 E7 G/B A7/13- D6 Cdim Em7 G/B A4/7 A7
Who knows better than I
A7/13 D6 F#7
I had a woman, Lord, who was always around
Bm7 Bm7/E D5+ D7
But when I lost my money, she put me down
G6 Edim D6 B7
Talkin' 'bout hard times, you know those hard times
E7/9 E7 G/B A7/13- D6 Cdim Em7 G/B A4/7 A7
Yeah, Lord, who knows better than I
A7/13 D6 F#7
Lord, one of these days, there'll be no sorrow
Bm7 Bm7/E D5+ D7
When I pass away
G6 Edim D6 B7
And no more hard times
E7/9 E7 G/B A7/13- D6 F#7 B7
Yeah, yeah, who knows better than I
E7/9 E7 G/B A7/13- D6
Yeah, Lord, who knows better than I
How to play Hard Times
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 A7. 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.