Capo 3rd fret: 
 
Verse 1 : 
  D                            A               D
I went to see the preacher, to teach me how to pray
   G                D                 A 
He looked at me and smiled, then that preacher turned away 
              D                G                    A
Said, "If you want to tell him something, you ain't gotta fold
     D  
your hands.
                 G           A                 D            A 
Say it with your heart, your soul, and believe it, and I'll   

say, Amen." 
 
Chorus: 
       D                            A             D
Bang a drum for the sinners, bang a drum for your sins
       G            D          A 
Bang a drum for the losers and those who win
       D             G             A           D 
Bang a drum , bang it loudly, or as soft as you need 
       G                 D          A        D
Bang a drum for yourself son, and a drum for me 
 
Verse 2 : 

Well I called upon my brother, just the other day 

He said, "Jon, I'm gonna die if I don't start to live again. 

I work each day and night like clockwork, just tryin' to make ends meet. 

Well I could kick this bad world's ass if I could just get on my feet." 
 
Bang a drum for the dying, bang a drum for the truth 

Bang a drum for the innocence, lost in our youth 

Bang a drum , bang it loudly, or as soft as you need 

Bang a drum for your brother, and a drum for me 


  G                        A      D 
I don't know where all the rivers run
        G        D            A 
I don't know how far, I don't know how come
    G             D                   G           D 
But I'm gonna die believin, with each step that I take
                G             D                A 
Ain't worth the ground that I walk if we don't walk it our own  
Bm
 way 
 
Verse 3 : 

I don't claim to be a wise man, a poet, or a Saint 

Just another man who's searchin' for a better way 

But my heart beats loud as thunder, for the things that I believe 

Sometimes I want to run for cover, sometimes I want to scream 
 
Bang a drum for the tomorrow, bang a drum for the past 

Bang a drum for heroes, who won't come back 

Bang a drum for the promise, bang a drum for the lies 
       G            D               A
Bang a drum for the lovers, and the tears they cry
       D            G             A           D 
Bang a drum bang it loudly, or as soft as you need 
                  G              D                   A 
But as long as my heart keeps on banging, I've got a reason to  
D
 believe