Sparrows Point
View chords used in this chart
Richard Shindell Sparrows Point written by Richard Shindell
C#m E B C#m
C#m E B C#m
My name is William Taylor
C#m E B C#m E B C#m
I was born in twenty four Too late to know the great fallen
C#m E B
But in time to know the great fall
B A E B C#m
When my father died of money
C#m A E B
My mother lived in spite
B A E B C#m
We laughed when nothing was funny
C#m E B
But how we wept when nothing was left
B C#m E B C#m
So I left her there in boom town
C#m E B
When I reached fifteen years
B C#m E B C#m
And I travelled mostly northeast
C#m E B
With my head held mostly down
B A E B C#m
Cause they said there was more in Baltimore
C#m A E B
Where those shipyards never close
B A E B C#m
You can sell the man your labor
C#m E B C#m E B C#m
Send the money home Broadway found me pennyless
C#m E B
And the mission found me last
B C#m E B C#m
They gave me a coat and three days rest
C#m E B A E B C#m
And when I awoke and left a shroud of steam surrounded me
C#m A E B
And I was born away
A E B C#m
I found myself at Sparrows Point
C#m E B
With a sling-shot in my hand
B C#m E B C#m E B
And standing there around me Two thousand idle hands
B C#m E
With their heads bowed low
B C#m
Their hopes not high
C#m E B
Their hearts weaned of their homes
B A E B C#m
And their pockets full of photographs
C#m A E B
And their eyes full of goodbyes
B A E B C#m
I took my place among my kind
C#m E B
And I held my place in line
B C#m E B C#m
Now I'm twenty one and well employed
C#m E B
And I send home most my pay
B C#m E B C#m
Which leaves plenty left for cigarettes
C#m E B
To help me pass the days
B A E B C#m
With beloved friends surrounding me
C#m A E B
The cold street so far away
A E B C#m
Three days west of Normandy
C#m E B
With a rifle in my hand
From Richard Shindell "Live At The Postcrypt Coffeehouse"
Columbia University
Fast Folk Records 1992
FF CD 509
How to play Sparrows Point
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 C#m. 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.