The Ballad Of John and Yoko chords
by The Beatles

  • The Ballad Of John and Yoko was written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney.
  • Recorded: April 14, 1969 in EMI Studios, London with producer George Martin
  • Released: May 30, 1969
  • Album: The Beatles - 1
  • Music: Key of E Major in 4/4 time at ~ 136 bpm (♩)
Chart Legend
Numbered Circles: Fingers used to play chords   O: Optional Note
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings   R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open   X: Don't play string    B: Bass Note
E Major E7 A Major B7
E Major E7 A Major B7

The Ballad Of John and Yoko

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
              E
Intro: 4/4 |     |  𝄎  |
            
  E
1. Stand-ing in the dock at South-amp-ton

   Try-ing to get to Hol-land or France
       E7
   The man in the mac said   You've got to go back

   You know they didn't even give us a chance

                                 A
Chorus: Christ you know it ain't ea-sy
                                 E
        You know how hard it can be
                           B7
        The way things are go-ing
                                    E
        They're go-ing to cru-ci-fy me

   E
2. Final-ly made the plane into Pa-ris

   Hon-ey-moon-ing down by the Seine
         E7
   Peter Brown called to say    You can make it O.K.

   You can get ma-rried in Gib-ral-tar near Spain

                                 A
Chorus: Christ you know it ain't ea-sy
                                 E
        You know how hard it can be
                           B7
        The way things are go-ing
                                    E
        They're go-ing to cru-ci-fy me

   E
3. Drove from Pa-ris to the Am-ste-rdam Hil-ton

   Talk-ing in our beds for a week
       E7
   The news-pa-pers said    Say what're you do-ing in bed

   I said we're only trying to get us some peace

                                 A
Chorus: Christ you know it ain't ea-sy
                                 E
        You know how hard it can be
                           B7
        The way things are go-ing
                                    E
        They're go-ing to cru-ci-fy me

        A
Bridge: Sav-ing up your mon-ey for a rai-ny day

        Giv-ing all your clothes to cha-ri-ty

        Last night the wife said   Oh boy when you're dead
            B7
        You don't take noth-ing with you but your soul   Think!

   E
4. Made a lightn-ing trip to Vien-na

   Eat-ing choc'late cake in a bag
       E7
   The news-pa-pers said   She's gone to his head

   They look just like two gur-us in drag

                                 A
Chorus: Christ you know it ain't ea-sy
                                 E
        You know how hard it can be
                           B7
        The way things are go-ing
                                    E
        They're go-ing to cru-ci-fy me

   E
5. Caught the ear-ly plane back to Lon-don

   Fif-ty a-corns tied in a sack
       E7
   The men from the press said   We wish you suc-cess

   It's good to have the both of you back

                                 A
Chorus: Christ you know it ain't ea-sy
                                 E
        You know how hard it can be
                           B7
        The way things are go-ing
                                    E
        They're go-ing to cru-ci-fy me |  𝄎  |
                           B7
        The way things are go-ing
                                    E
        They're go-ing to cru-ci-fy me  |  𝄎  |
  
           B7     B7     E     E   
        |      |      |     |  𝄑 |
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