Sep132019

The Lumineers – Jimmy Sparks Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression

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This is the chords of Jimmy Sparks by The Lumineers on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard.

[Intro]
Cm
Jimmy Sparks went into bars and opened up his mouth
Cm
Said some things to wounded men that they could not allow
F F
When it came to talking, he was always on the run
Cm Cm
Everyone knew what the man had done
G G F Cm
Oh, he’ll take you for a ride

[Verse 1]
Cm Cm Bbm Ab
Jimmy believed in the American way
Ab F
A prison guard, he worked hard and made the minimum wage
Cm
He found his freedom like a man in a cage, oh
Cm Cm Bbm Ab
Jimmy loved Bonnie and he fathered a kid
Ab F
A baby boy, but the mother had other reasons to live
Cm
She left the baby with a note on the bed, oh
Cm Bbm Ab
It was a struggle just to cover the rent
Ab F
His jail cut hours and hours little baby was sick
Eb Dm Cm
He needed money and he needed it quick
Cm
It was 3 AM

[Chorus]
Abm G Cm
Oh, my love, oh, my love
Abm G Cm
Could you spare my blood, spare my blood?

[Verse 2]
Cm
Jim woke his son and buckled him in the car
Cm
They drove an hour from town and found a gambling hall
F Cm
The waitress babysat the boy at the bar, oh no
Cm
After an hour, Jimmy doubled his cash
G
He took his kid and his winnings as the dealer just laughed
F Abm G Cm
He said they leave, but then they always come back, that’s a fact
Cm
Out on the road, they caught a stranger in the lights
G
His thumb was up and his son asked if the man was alright
F Abm G Cm
Jim said you never give a hitcher a ride ’cause it’s us or them
Cm
It was 3 AM

[Chorus]
Abm G Cm
Oh, my love, oh, my love
Abm G Cm
Could you spare my blood, spare my blood?

[Verse 3]
Cm
20 years gone and now the boy is a man
Abm
Broke Jimmy’s habits, got in mountains and mountains of debt
F Abm G Cm
And now the sharks are coming back to collect, oh-oh
Cm
They stripped his jewelry and the boots off Jim’s feet
Abm
They kick him out the car and say we’ll give you a week
F Abm G Cm
Eight miles from home and only 18 degrees
It was 3 AM

[Chorus]
Abm G Cm
Oh, my love, oh, my love
Abm G Cm
Could you spare my blood, spare my blood?

[Solo]
Cm Abm G Abm G Cm
Cm Abm G Abm G Cm

[Verse 4]
Cm
Now Jimmy’s son is trying to make his way home
Ab
His graveyard shift had ended and it was starting to snow
F Abm G
He sees an old man walking barefoot alone
Cm
It was 3 AM
Cm
His old man waved his hands with tears in his eyes
Abm
But Jimmy’s son just sped up and remembered daddy’s advice
F Abm G
No, you don’t ever give a hitcher a ride ’cause it’s us or them
Cm
Cause it’s me or him
Cm
It was 3 AM

[Outro]
Cm
3 AM

How to play Jimmy Sparks: key, chords and progression

Jimmy Sparks by The Lumineers is centred on C minor (three flats: B♭, E♭, A♭). The song uses 9 chords: Cm, F, G, Bbm, Ab, Eb, Dm, Abm and AM.

The progression the song keeps returning to is Abm – G – Cm – Abm (vi – V – i – vi in C minor). Learn these 4 changes first and most of the song falls into place.

Good to know: Cm, F, Bbm, Ab and Eb are played as barre or movable shapes on guitar. Practise the change into them slowly; on piano and ukulele the same chords are easier.