That's How Every Empire Falls 
John Prine/ R.B. Morris

Intro:

(F)       (C)     (Bb)       (F)
(F)       (C)     (Bb)       (F)

(F)He caught a train from (C)Alexandria
(Bb)Just a broken man in (F)flight
(F)Running scared with all his (C)devils
(Bb)Saying prayers all through the (F)night
(F)But mercy can't find (C)him
(Bb)Not in the shadows where he (F)calls
(F)Forsaking all his better (C)angels
(Bb)That's how every empire (F)falls

Instrumental

(F)       (C)     (Bb)      (F)
(F)       (C)     (Bb)      (F)

(F)The bells ring out on Sunday (C)morning
(Bb)Like echoes from another (F)time
(F)All our innocence and (C)yearning
(Bb)And sense of wonder left (F)behind
(F)Oh, gentle hearts (C)remember
(Bb)What was that story his they (F)lost
(F)When religion loses (C)vision
(Bb)That's how every empire (F)falls

Instrumental

(F)       (C)     (Bb)       (F)
(F)       (C)     (Bb)       (F)

(F)He toasts his wife and all his (C)family
(Bb)The providence he brought to (F)bear
(F)They raise their glasses in his (C)honor
(Bb)Although this union made 'em (F)share
(F)Of a man that lives among (C)them
(Bb)But still a stranger to them (F)all
(F)For when a heart is never (C)open
(Bb)That's how every empire (F)falls

Instrumental

(F)       (C)     (Bb)      (F)
(F)       (C)     (Bb)      (F)
(F)       (C)     (Bb)      (F)
(F)       (C)     (Bb)      (F)

(F)Lock the door and board the (C)windows
(Bb)Put the people in the (F)street
(F)It just my job he says I'm (C)sorry
(Bb)And draws the jackels home to (F)eat
(F)But at night he tell his (C)woman
(Bb)I know I hide behind the (F)laws
(F)She says you are only taking (C)orders
(Bb)That's how every empire (F)falls


Instrumental

(F)       (C)     (Bb)       (F)
(F)       (C)     (Bb)       (F)

(F)A bitter wind blows through the (C)country
(Bb)A hard rain falls on the (F)sea
(F)If terror comes without a (C)warning
(Bb)There must be something we don't (F)see
(F)Well, fire begets this (C)fire
(Bb)Like torches thrown into the (F)straw
(F)If no one ask and no one (C)answers
(Bb)That's how every empire (F)falls

Ending

(F)       (C)     (Bb)       (F)
(F)       (C)     (Bb)       (F)