Chords Of Fame Lyrics - Live Again! - Phil Ochs

I found him by the stage last night 

He was breathing his last breath 

A bottle of gin and a cigarette 

Was all that he had left 

I can see you make the music 

'Cause you carry a guitar 

But God, help the troubadour 

Who tries to be a star 

So play the chords of love, my friend 

Play the chords of pain 

If you want to keep your song 

Don't, don't, don't, don't play the chords of fame 

I've seen my share of hustlers 

As they try to take the world 

When they find their melody 

They're surrounded by the girls 

But it all fades so quickly 

Like a sunny summer day 

Reporters ask you questions 

They write down what you say 

So play the chords of love, my friend 

Play the chords of pain 

If you want to keep your song 

Don't, don't, don't, don't play the chords of fame 

So play the chords of love, my friend 

Play the chords of pain 

If you want to keep your song 

Don't, don't, don't, don't play the chords of fame 

They will rob you of your innocence 

They will put you up for sale 

More that you will find success 

The more that you will fail 

I've been around, I've had my share 

And I really can't complain 

But I wonder who I left behind 

The other side of fame 

So play the chords of love, my friend 

Play the chords of pain 

If you want to keep your song 

Don't, don't, don't, don't play the chords of fame