Mother chords

by John Lennon

Song Key: C Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 67 bpm


Guitar Tuning: Standard (E A D G B e)

Skill Level: Beginner 🟢

Guitar Chords: C, C7, F, G, G7

Arrangement Song Details
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
C Major C7 F Major F Major barre chord G Major G7
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
C Major-LH C7-LH F Major-LH F Major barre chord-LH G Major-LH G7-LH
Performance Video
Speed: x0.1

Mother

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
Intro: 4/4
   C                  G
1. Mo-ther    you had me 
                     C
   But I ne-ver had you  |  %  |
   F                                      G
   I    want-ed you   but you didn't want me |  %  (So)|
        C      C7                   F
   So | I   |      |  I just got to tell you |  %  (Good)|
         C      G           C 
   Good-|bye |     |   Good-bye |  %  |

   C                   G
2. Fa-ther    you left me 
                     C
   But I never left you  |  %  |
   F                                     G
   I    needed you   but you didn't need me  |  %  |

      C      C7                     F
   So I   |      |  I just got to | tell you |    (Good)|
        C      G           C
   Good-bye |     |   Good-bye |  %  |

   C                   G 
3. Child-ren     don't do 
               C
   What I have done |  %  |
   F                                     G
   I    could-n't walk    and I tried to run |  %  |
      C      C7                   F
   So I   |      |  I just got to tell you |    (Good)|
        C       G          C     C7   F    C
   Good-bye  |     |  Good-bye |¾     Mama don't |

            G      G7      F            C      C7  F    C  
Outro: 𝄆4⁄4 Go   |     -   Dad-dy come| home |¾    Mama don't 𝄇... repeat to fade

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: C Major – no sharps or flats
  • Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Slowly
  • Metronome: ♩ = 67
  • Voice Range: G4 – C6
  • Form/Structure: Verse (x3) – Outro (repeat and fade)
  • Chord Types in This Arrangement:

Song Details:

Album Cover
Album Cover
  • Songwriter: John Lennon
  • Date: 1970
  • Lyrics Begin: Mother, you had me, but I never had you.
  • Genre: Rock
  • Featured Artists: John Lennon
  • Single:
    Recorded: September–October 1970
    Released: 28 December 1970 (US only)
    B-side: Why (Yoko Ono)
  • Album: John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (pictured)
    Recorded: June 1970, 26 September – 23 October 1970
    Released: 11 December 1970
Song / Artist Capo Key Core Chords
A Man Needs a Maid - Neil Young - F F, G, Gm, Am, Bb, C, Csus4, Dm, Dm7, Em, Em7
The Air That I Breathe - The Hollies +4 G G, B7, C, Cm, D, Dm
Cats In The Cradle - Harry Chapin +1 E E, Bm, A, C, D, G
Father and Son - Cat Stevens - G G, C/G, Am, Am7, Bm, C, Cadd9, D, Em
Imagine - John Lennon - C C, Cmaj7, F, G, G7, E7, Am, Dm7
Too Much Heaven - Bee Gees +1 C→Eb Eb Major: C, Cmaj7, Em7, F, Fmaj7, G, G7sus4, Am7 → Ab/Bb, Ab, Bb, Eb, Gm7
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