D
He was driving home one evening in his beat up Pontiac

When an old lady flagged him down her Mercedes had a flat
          A7
He could see that she was frightened standing out there in the snow 
                                                               D
Till he said I'm here to help you ma'am by the way my name is Joe

[Verse]
D
She said I'm from St. Louis and I'm only passing through

I must have seen a hundred cars go by this is awful nice of you
          A7
When he changed the tire and closed her trunk

And was about to drive away she said how much do I owe you
                       D
Here's what he had to say

[Verse]
D                    G                    D
You don't owe me a thing I've been there too
         A7                          D
Someone once helped me out just the way I'm helping you
         G                          D              G
If you really want to pay me back  here's what you do
               D     G  D     A7       D
Don't let the chain of love  end with you

[Verse]
D
Well a few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe

She went in to grab a bite to eat and then be on her way
         A7
But she couldn't help but notice how the waitress smiled so sweet
                                                             D
And how she must've been eight months along and dead on her feet

[Verse]
D
And though she didn't know her story and she probably never will

When the waitress went to get her change from a hundred dollar bill
           A7
The lady slipped right out the door and on a napkin left a note
                                                                D
There were tears in the waitress's eyes when she read what she wrote

[Verse]
D                    G                    D
You don't owe me a thing I've been there too
         A7                          D
Someone once helped me out just the way I'm helping you
         G                          D              G
If you really want to pay me back  here's what you do
               D     G  D     A7       D
Don't let the chain of love  end with you

[Verse]
D
That night when she got home from work the waitress climbed into bed

She was thinking about the money and what the lady's note had said
         A7
As her husband lay there sleeping she whispered soft and low
                                         D
Everything's gonna be alright I love you Joe