[Intro]
Am Aadd11 Am G Am x2
[Verse 1]
Am Aadd11 Am
Johnny was raised in the city,
Am G Am
And in that he rejoiced.
Am Aadd11 Am
And the lovers he chose,
Am G Am
Didn't have no choice.
Am Aadd11 Am
And the lies that he taught,
Am G Am
Didn't lose him no sleep.
Am Aadd11 Am
And he knew he was a killer,
G Am
On a winning streak.
[Chorus]
G C D Dsus4 D
Is that any way for a man to live?
D G C D Dsus4 D
When he's given all that he had, to give.
D G C D Dsus4 D
Wasn't it strange, that he wanted to die?
D G C D
Wasn't it strange, that nobody cried?
[Verse 2]
Am Aadd11 Am
Come winter of 65'
Am G Am
He was working the race track.
Am Aadd11 Am
He bet everything he had,
Am G Am
Even the shirt on his friend's back.
Am Aadd11 Am
Got a tip about the horse from
G Am
Gino the gorilla.
Am Aadd11 Am
Was the beginning of the end,
Am G Am
For our bold, young killer.
[Chorus]
G C D Dsus4 D
Is that any way for a man to live?
D G C D Dsus4 D
When he's given all that he had, to give.
D G C D Dsus4 D
Wasn't it strange, that he wanted to die?
D G C D
Wasn't it strange, that nobody cried?
[Interlude]
Am Aadd11 Am G Am
[Verse 3]
Am Aadd11 Am
Gino had blown it and Johnny,
Am G Am
He owed a lot of bread.
Am Aadd11 Am
And he remembered what the boys had told him and,
G Am
Johnny fled.
Am Aadd11 Am
They found him in the east river
Am G Am
With a bullet in his eye.
Am Aadd11 Am
And Johnny was free
Am G Am
At the age of 25.
[Chorus]
G C D Dsus4 D
Is that any way for a man to live?
D G C D Dsus4 D
When he's given all that he had, to give.
D G C D Dsus4 D
Wasn't it strange, that he wanted to die?
D G C D
Wasn't it strange, that nobody cried?
[Bridge]
D G
Lord, lord, lord, lord!
G C
Is that any way for a,
D
A man to live?
G C
When he's given all that he,
D
He had to give.
G
Wasn't it strange?
C D
That he wanted to,
D
Up and die.
G C
Wasn't it strange?
D
Nobody cried for this poor boy.
[Chorus]
G C D Dsus4 D
Is that any way for a man to live?
D G C D Dsus4 D
When he's given all that he had, to give.
D G C D Dsus4 D
Wasn't it strange, that he wanted to die?
D G C D
Wasn't it strange, that nobody cried?
[Outro]
Am Am