The chorus is played after each verse.
If you would rather use his key, just transpose 2 half-steps down with the
transpose button on this page (top left)
Standard tuning: E-A-D-G-B-e
Originally the song is played with the chords Bb, Eb and F instead of C, F and G,
but I tabbed it like this for the same open effect that Ron Hynes has.
[Verse 1]
C
Sonny lives on a farm on a wide open space
F C
Where you can take off your sneakers and give up the race
G
You could lay down your head by a sweet river bed
F C G
But Sonny always remembers what it was his Mama said
The chords are the same throughout, but I'll list them again in the chorus for
timing references.
[Chorus]
C
Oh, Sonny don't go away, I am here all alone
F C
And your daddy's a sailor who never comes home
G
And the nights get so long and the silence goes on
F C G
And I'm feeling so tired, I'm not all that strong
[Verse 2]
(same as verse 1)
Sonny carries a load though he's barely a man
There ain't all much to do, still he does what he can
And he watches the sea from a room by the stairs
And the waves keep on rollin', they've done that for years
[Verse 3]
(same as verse 1)
And it's a hundred miles to town, Sonny's never been there
And he goes to the highway and stands there and stares
And the mail comes at four and the mailman is old
Oh, but he still dreams his dreams full of silver and gold
[Verse 4]
(same chords)
Sonny's dreams can't be real, they're just stories he's read
They're just stars in his eyes, they're just dreams in his head
And he's hungry inside for the wide world outside
And I know I can't hold him though I've tried and I've tried
This is a great song by a Newfie named Ron Hynes, The Man of a Thousand Songs.
There are several versions of Sonny's Dream, but Ron Hynes wrote it.
Enjoy!