John Rich - Why Does Somebody Always Have To Die

Capo: 2nd fret

[Intro–Guitar & Military Drumbeat]

Am Am Am Am
Em7 Em7 Em7 Em7
Am Am Am Am
Em7 Em7 Em7 Em7
Am Am Am Am
Em7 Em7 Em7 Em7
Am Am Am Am
Em7 Em7 Em7 Em7

[Verse 1]
Am Em7
Mama said, “Stay away from the train yard children
Am Em7
Don’t be playin’ on them tracks,
Am Em7
Those old big devils can sneak up on ya
Am F G
And run you down just like that”, hey, hey, hey, yeah

[Verse 2]
Am Em7
Well, little brother Jonah didn’t heed her warnin’
Am Em7
Tried to chase a fast one down,
Am Em7
I can still hear the words my mama was cryin’
Am F G
As we laid him in the ground, yeah, yeah, hey, yeah

[Chorus]
Am C Dm7 F
She said “Why does somebody always have to die?
Am C Dm7 F
Before people listen and open up their eyes
Am C Dm7 F
There ain’t no need for hurtin’ or the bloody tears we cry
Am C Dm7 F Am
So why does somebody always have to die?”

[Verse 3]
Am Em7
Mr. White collar in an uptown high rise
Am
Finishin’ a twelve hour day
Am Em7
A double tall glass of tequila sunrise
Am F G
Takes a little stress away, hey, yeah, hey, yeah

[Verse 4]
Am Em7
Well, he came around the corner doing 87
Am
Swerving all over the place
Am Em7
He sent a five year old straight to Heaven
Am F G
And never even touched his brakes, hey, yeah, hey, yeah

[Chorus]
Am C Dm7 F
Tell me, why does somebody always have to die?
Am C Dm7 F
Before people listen and open up their eyes
Am C Dm7 F
There ain’t no need for hurtin’ or the bloody tears we cry
Am C Dm7 F Am
So why does somebody always have to die?

[Verse 4]
Am Em7
There once was a carpenter living in Nazareth
Am
Said He was the Son of God
Am Em7
Said He came here to free the captive
Am F G
And bring faith to the lost, yeah, yeah, hey, yeah

[Verse 5]
Am Em7
Well, He tried to tell ’em all about life eternal
Am
But they just wouldn’t believe
Am Em7
And He said, “Father, won’t you please forgive them?”
Am F G
As they nailed Him to the tree, hey, yeah, hey, yeah

[Chorus]
Am C Dm7 F
So why does somebody always have to die?
Am C Dm7 F
Before people listen and open up their eyes
Am C Dm7 F
There ain’t no need for hurtin’ or the bloody tears we cry
Am C Dm7 F
So why does somebody
Am C Dm7 F
Yeah why does somebody
Em7 Am
Always have to die
Em7 Am
Always have to die

[Outtro]
Am Em7
Mama said, “Stay away from the train yard children
Am Em7
Don’t be playin’ on in the tracks
Am Em7
Those old big devils can sneak up on ya
Am
And run you down just like that”