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