(Rythme 3/4) A(sus4) : x02230 E7 : 022130 A/C# : x42225 A/D : xx0220 That was it nine years__ or ten_ Since you last saw_ this friend?_ Why it seems_ like_ there's no_ time__ at all?_ There weren't enough__ chan_-ges_ To make him_ a stranger_ 'Cause we both_ had_ old_ good times__ to recall___ Now he was worn out_ with walkin'_ So he sat there_ not_ tal_-kin'_ But smiled_ when__ our eyes chanced__ to meet_ Then I_ mentioned the past_ Then he spoke up_ at last_ Shook his head_ and laid his world_ at my feet__ He said:_ I_ been__ a front_-runner_ I've been_ richer__ than_ most_ men__ you'll see____ I've been_ mighty_ now I'm broken_ Proud of word__ now soft-spoken__ All seein'__ now I'm blind_ as_ can be___ Now there are_ men_ who don't lose_ Who take whatever they__ cho_-o-ose_ And become what they set out__ to be__ And other men_ who set the pace_ But in the end_ lose__ the race_ And old_ buddy_ you know that _man__ is me_ |_ _|_ _|_ _|_| |_ _|_ _ |_ _|_ _ | |_ _|_ _ |_ _|_ _ | |_ _|_ _ | Oh_ you know I_ could not_ feel sorry_ Though it was such a sad_ sto-o-ry_ That I felt so_ much_ I thought_ I_ might_ brea-ak_ Each man follows__ his fancies_ Knows the odds_ and takes the chances_ And in the end_ gets what_-ever_ he ta-a-akes_ Well so it was_ with my old_ friend_ Who followed_ his own end_ And was worn like the holes_ in his shoes_ And neither wisdom or cunning_ Could slow the pace or chan_-ge the running_ Of a race_ he always knew_ he would lose_ He said:_ I_ been__ a front_-runner_ I've been_ richer__ than_ most_ men__ you'll see____ I've been_ mighty_ now I'm broken_ Proud of word__ now soft-spoken__ All seein'__ now I'm blind_ as_ can be___ Now there are_ men_ who don't lose_ Who take whatever they__ cho_-o-ose_ And become what they set out__ to be__ And other men_ who set the pace_ But in the end_ lose__ the race_ And old_ buddy_ you know that _man__ is me_