Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E) Difficulty: Beginner Difficulty: Novice Intro: Am Jimmy Sparks went into bars and opened up his mouth F Said some things to wounded men that they could not allow Dm F E When it came to talking, he was always on the run Am Everyone knew what the man had done E F E Am Oh, he'll take you for a ride
Verse 1: Am Jimmy believed in the American way F A prison guard, he worked hard and made the minimum wage Dm F E Am He found his freedom like a man in a cage, oh Am Jimmy loved Bonnie and he fathered a kid F A baby boy, but the mother had other reasons to live Dm F E Am She left the baby with a note on the bed, oh Am It was a struggle just to cover the rent F His jail cut hours and hours little baby was sick Dm F G He needed money and he needed it quick Am It was 3 AM Chorus: F E Am Oh, my love, oh, my love F E Am Could you spare my blood, spare my blood? Verse 2: Am Jim woke his son and buckled him in the car F They drove an hour from town and found a gambling hall Dm F E Am The waitress babysat the boy at the bar, oh no Am After an hour, Jimmy doubled his cash F He took his kid and his winnings as the dealer just laughed Dm F G Am He said they leave, but then they always come back, that's a fact Am Out on the road, they caught a stranger in the lights F His thumb was up and his son asked if the man was alright Dm F G Am Jim said you never give a hitcher a ride 'cause it's us or them Am It was 3 AM Chorus: F E Am Oh, my love, oh, my love F F Am Could you spare my blood, spare my blood? Verse 3: Am 20 years gone and now the boy is a man F Broke Jimmy's habits, got in mountains and mountains of debt Dm F G Am And now the sharks are coming back to collect, oh-oh Am They stripped his jewelry and the boots off Jim's feet F They kick him out the car and say we'll give you a week Dm F E Am Eight miles from home and only 18 degrees Am It was 3 AM Chorus: F E Am Oh, my love, oh, my love F E Am Could you spare my blood, spare my blood? Solo: Am F Dm F E Am (x2) Verse 4: Am Now Jimmy's son is trying to make his way home F His graveyard shift had ended and it was starting to snow Dm F E He sees an old man walking barefoot alone Am It was 3 AM Am His old man waved his hands with tears in his eyes F But Jimmy's son just sped up and remembered daddy's advice Dm F E No, you don't ever give a hitcher a ride 'cause it's us or them Am Cause it's me or him Am It was 3 AM Outro: Am 3 AM