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My Son John

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Amajor

90BPM

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[Intro]
A    A    A
[Verse 1]
AMy son John was a Egood boy and Agood to me,
wAhen we had hard tEimes well he sAtood by me,
we were Din work and Eout of work and Aon the go,
if he Dhad complaints AI never heard of Eone,
he would Dpitch in and Ehelp me like a Afull grown man,
My son BmJohn,       EJohn Amy son,E  A  
[Verse 2]
AMy son John went to Ecollege and he Amade his way,
Ahad to earn every Epenny but he Apaid his way,
he worked Dsummers and Eholidays and Athrough the year,
and it Dwas no easy Astruggle that he Ewon,
but he Dlaughed at the Eones who thought he Ahad it hard,
My son BmJohn,       EJohn Amy son,E  A  
[Verse 3]
AMy son John got his Euniform and Awent away,
AWith a band playing Emarches he went Aaway,
And he Dwrote me a Eletter when he Ahad the time,
He was Dlosing his Abuddies one by Eone,
And I Dprayed and tried Enot to read beAtween the lines,
My son BmJohn,      EJohn Amy son,E  A  
[Verse 4]
AMy son John came home Eyesterday, he’s Ahere to stay,
ANot a word to his Efather have I Aheard him say,
He Dseems glad to Ebe home but I Acan’t be sure,
When I Dasked him Awhat he’s seen and Edone,
He went Dup to his Ebedroom and he Aclosed the door,
My son BmJohn,      EJohn Amy son,
He went Dup to his Ebedroom and he Aclosed the door,
My son BmJohn,      EJohn Amy son,A  A  

All chords in this song (4)

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My Son John

by Tom Paxton

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

A A A

[Verse 1]

A E A

My son John was a good boy and good to me,

A E A

when we had hard times well he stood by me,

D E A

we were in work and out of work and on the go,

D A E

if he had complaints I never heard of one,

D E A

he would pitch in and help me like a full grown man,

Bm E A E A

My son John, John my son,

[Verse 2]

A E A

My son John went to college and he made his way,

A E A

had to earn every penny but he paid his way,

D E A

he worked summers and holidays and through the year,

D A E

and it was no easy struggle that he won,

D E A

but he laughed at the ones who thought he had it hard,

Bm E A E A

My son John, John my son,

[Verse 3]

A E A

My son John got his uniform and went away,

A E A

With a band playing marches he went away,

D E A

And he wrote me a letter when he had the time,

D A E

He was losing his buddies one by one,

D E A

And I prayed and tried not to read between the lines,

Bm E A E A

My son John, John my son,

[Verse 4]

A E A

My son John came home yesterday, he’s here to stay,

A E A

Not a word to his father have I heard him say,

D E A

He seems glad to be home but I can’t be sure,

D A E

When I asked him what he’s seen and done,

D E A

He went up to his bedroom and he closed the door,

Bm E A

My son John, John my son,

D E A

He went up to his bedroom and he closed the door,

Bm E A A A

My son John, John my son,

About My Son John Chords by Tom Paxton

Learn how to play My Son John by Tom Paxton with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “My Son John chords”, “My Son John guitar chords”, or “Tom Paxton My Son John chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy My Son John chords and for experienced players who want accurate My Son John lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, E, D, Bm.

FAQ — My Son John by Tom Paxton

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What key is "My Son John" in?

The chords for "My Son John" show the original chord names (including A, E, D, Bm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.