Father and Son chords
by Cat StevensSong Key: G Major
Time Signature: 4/4 (3/4, 5/4)
Tempo: 64 bpm
Standard Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate.
Chords: G, C/G, Am, Am7, Bm, C, Cadd9, D Em
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Father and Son
G C/G
Intro: 4/4 ‖: 1 + + + 2 + + + 3 + + + 4 + + + :‖ x4
Notes: C G C A (It's not)
G D C Am7
1. It's not time to make a change, just re-lax, take it ea-sy
G Em Am D
You're still young, that's your fault, there's so much you have to know
G D C Am7
Find a girl, set-tle down, if you want, you can mar - ry
G Em Am D
Look at me, I am old, but I'm | happy - |
G D C Am7
2. I was once like you are now, and I know that it's not ea-sy
G Em Am D
To be calm when you've found some-thing going | on - |
G D C Am7
But take your time, think a lot, think of ev-'ry-thing you've got
5⁄4 4⁄4
G Em D G C/G G C/G
For you will still be here to-mor-row, but your dreams may | not / / | / / |
G Em D G
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go a-way
3⁄4 4⁄4
D C G C/G G C/G
I | know I have to | go / / | / / |
G Bm Cadd9 Am7 G Em Am D
Instr: | - | - | - | - |
G Bm Cadd9 Am7 G Em D G
| - | - | - | / / |
3⁄4 4⁄4
D C G C/G G C/G
| / | / / | / / |
G D C Am7
4. It's not time to make a change, just sit down, take it slow-ly
G Em Am D
You're still young, that's your fault, there's so much you have to go through
G D C Am7
Find a girl, set-tle down, if you want, you can mar-ry
G Em Am D
Look at me, I am old, but I'm | happy - |
G D C Am7
5. All the times that I cried, keep-ing all the things I knew in-side
G Em Am D
It's hard, but it's hard-er to ig-| nore it - |
G D C Am7
If they were right, I'd a-gree, but it's them they know not me
G Em D G
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go a-way
3⁄4
D C G
I | know I have to | go... Arrangement Details:
- Key Signature: G Major - 1 sharp (F#)
- Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
- 🕒 Extra Time Signatures:
This song includes 3/4 and 5/4 time signatures — meaning 3 and 5 quarter-note beats per measure, respectively.
These are clearly marked on the Song Sheet, so you’ll know when the rhythmic feel shifts. - Tempo: Slowly
- Metronome: ♩ = 64
- Voice Range: D4 - E5
🎸 Beginner Guitarists:
The chords are all fairly easy but the timing may be confusing.🕒 If you're finding the timing tricky, the easiest way is to listen to the song several times until you're really familiar with it.
This helps you feel when the chord changes occur — so you won’t need to count every beat.
Let the rhythm guide you naturally, just like singing along.
🎶 C/G might be a stretch for some of you, so feel free to play a regular C major chord here instead.
🎶 Cadd9 is an extended chord and very easy to play.
You can treat it like a regular C major chord and simply add your pinkie to the 2nd string, 3rd fret. The chart may omit the first finger, but it’s fine to leave it in — it’s covered by the pinkie on the same string and doesn’t affect the sound.
This makes Cadd9 especially beginner-friendly, since it builds directly on the familiar C shape.💪
Song Details:
- Songwriter: Cat Stevens
- Lyrics Begin: It's not time to make a change; just relax, take it easy.
- Genre: Folk rock
- Featured Artist: Cat Stevens
- Single:
Recorded: July 1970
Released: August 1970
B-side: Moonshadow - Album: Tea for the Tillerman
Recorded: May–July 1970
Released: 23 November 1970
