Hard Times
View chords used in this chart
D9
My mother told me
F#7
Before she passed away
Bm Bm7/Bb
Said son when I'm gone
D9 D7
Don't forget to pray
G Abdim
'Cause there'll be hard times
D C B7
Lord, those hard times
Bb7 A D A7
Who knows better than I?
VERSE 2
Well I soon found out
Just what she meant
When I had to pawn my clothes
Just to pay the rent
Talkin' 'bout hard times
Lord, those hard times
Bb7 A D A7
Who knows better than I?
{Sax solo/Guitar solo}
D9 F#7 Bm Bm7 D9 D7
G Abdim D C B7 Bb7 A7 D E9 Eb9
G Abdim D C B7 Bb7 A7
Bb7 A7 D E9 Eb9
VERSE 3
I had a woman
Who was always around
But when I lost my money
She put me down
Talkin' 'bout hard times
Hard times
Bb7 A7 D F9 E9 D9
Yeah, yeah, who knows better than I?
F#7
Lord, one of these days
There'll be no more sorrow
When I pass away
And no more hard times
No more hard times
Yeah, yeah, who knows better than I?
(play single notes: E Eb A Db D and end on D9)
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 D9. 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.