| G | C | G | C | |
| You would have | kept those | words on your | tongue, |
| G | C | G | C | |
| If you had | known the | hurt they had | done. |
| G | C | G | C | |
| While your | fists stay | by, right by your | side, |
| G | C | G | C | |
| Your words they | bruise me | deep in | side. |
| Chorus: |
| C | D | G | C | |
| I'd rather have | sticks and | stones and | broken | bones |
| C | D | Em | |
| than the | words you | say to | me, |
| C | D | G | C | |
| Cause I know | bruises | heal and | cuts will | seal |
| Em | D | G | |
| but your | words beat the | life from | me. |
| Verse 2: |
| Sometimes your words are thick as lead, |
| You swing them strong upside my head. |
| But what hasn't killed has made me strong, |
| So i'll take my scars and move along. |
| *Chorus* |
| Bridge: |
| D | G | C | |
| Goodbye is the | best way that I | know, |
| D | G | C | |
| To | forgive and | still be letting | go. |
| *Chorus* |