The Way It Is
View chords used in this chart
D Dmaj9
It's a plume of dust down an old dirt road,
G
And hanging off the rails at the rodeo.
D Dmaj9
A back verandah with creaking boards,
G
And the dark rage of a thunderstorm.
D Dmaj9
The stockman's bar at an old bush pub,
Bm G
And chasing mickey's through the scrub.
D Dmaj9
It's planting seeds and praying for rain,
G A
And the red dust running through your veins.
G D
It's just the way it is, it's the way it goes,
G A D
When my wheels hit the gravel road it feels like home.
G Bm G
It's the way of life, it's the life I live,
D A
And I'm right where I want to be.
D
That's the way it is.
D Dmaj9
It's a corrugated iron shed
G
And work boots on a backdoor step.
D Dmaj9
Scones in the oven and preserves in jars,
G
Talking prices at the saleyards.
D Dmaj9
It's long straight roads and one horse towns,
Bm G
And sheep dogs bringing the mob around.
D Dmaj9
It's she'll be right and having a go,
G A
It's good on ya mate and what do ya know?
G D
It's just the way it is, it's the way it goes,
G A D
When my wheels hit the gravel road it feels like home.
G Bm G
It's the way of life, it's the life I live,
D A
And I'm right where I want to be.
D
That's the way it is.
D G D G A
INSTRUMENTAL
D A/Db
It's the eerie still in the grey of dawn,
G/B G
Fields of wheat and rows of corn.
D A/Db
A rusty tank and flaking paint,
G/B G
A weary digger on Anzac Day.
D A/Db
It's the dreamtime land and Uluru,
Bm G
Aborigine didgeridoo.
D A/Db
It's battered hats and calloused hands,
G A
The spirit of a hard won land.
G D
It's just the way it is, it's the way it goes,
G A D
When my wheels hit the gravel road it feels like home.
G Bm G
It's the way of life, it's the life I live,
D A
And I'm right where I want to be.
Em Em/F# A
A patch of ground and you and me.
D
That's the way it is.
G D G
Ohhhh, it's just the way it is.
D G
That's the way it is.
D G D
Yeah, that's the way it is.
How to play The Way It Is
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 D. 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.