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Oh Father

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Meghan does an alternating finger plucking pattern with her thumb catching the bass notes and 
but basic strumming sounds good as well. 
D/F# chord is actually a Dadd11/F#. She switches between {200033} and {200233}, for the sake of 
  D/F#- {200233}
Dadd11/F# - {200033}
   Em7- {022033} 
   G/E- {020033}
 Cadd9- {x32033}
 Csus2- {x30033}
     G- {320033}
 Gsus2- {300033}
CAPO 5
VERSE 1
Cadd9I was born to a man in Gthe winter of 'D/F#85Cadd9  
had the sea in my blood anGd the salt in my D/F#lungs that nightCadd9  
I've heard stories about howG  
when they took me D/F#away, you cried
 Em7     G/E   Cadd9     Csus2           Gsus2Dadd11/F# Cadd9  
Oh, daddy, don't let them take me tonight
VERSE 2
Cadd9I was born to a man Gwho only lD/F#oves his name             Cadd9  
so, he wrapped it around meG  
and, again when my D/F#brother cameCadd9  
oh, these pills don't go easyG  
and now I kD/F#now his pain
Em7Oh, daddy, Cadd9don't let them Gsee you this wayD/F#  Em7  G/E  
CHORUS   
Now, Csus2I am a rootless Gsus2tree
a ship that is D/F#lost at Em7seaG/E  
yeah, Csus2he took the sails Gsus2from meD/F#  Em7  G/E  
I Csus2burn it, I'm burning Gsus2slow
I want you to D/F#know I Em7knowG/E  
that Csus2you're not the end oGsus2f me
oh, fD/F#atherEm7  G/E  
CONNECT 1
Cadd9     Gsus2
VERSE 3
Cadd9I was born to a man wGho drinks himD/F#self to deathCadd9  
gave Ghis time, there was nD/F#othing leftCadd9  
goes to church every SundGay
he knows his sD/F#oul is damned
Em7oh, daddy, Cadd9don't do this, Goh not againD/F#  Em7  G/E  
SAME CHORUS AGAIN
CONNECT 2
Cadd9     G     D/F#       Em7 G/E
Cadd9     G     D/F#
BRIDGE
there was a Em7time when I would Cadd9fit inside those armGsD/F#  
put my Em7tiny feet on Cadd9yours and we'd dance the GfloorD/F#  
now Em7who's gonna walk me Cadd9down
I don't know anymGore
you are a sD/F#inking ship
and Em7I have seen the Cadd9shoreEm7  
SAME CHORUS AGAIN
CONNECT 3
Cadd9    G      D/F#   Em7
         G/E  Cadd9*
oh, father, where are you,
Goh, father, D/F#forget you Em7  
oh, father, Cadd9where are you,
Goh, father, D/F#forget you Em7  
oh, father, Cadd9where are you,
Goh, father, D/F#forget youEm7  
oh, father, Cadd9where are you,
           G   D/F#(once if strumming)
oh, father, forgive you
Em7  Cadd9  G  D/F#

All chords in this song (7)

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Oh Father

by Meghan Tonjes

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 5 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

D/F#

Em7

G/E

Cadd9

Csus2

Gsus2

Meghan does an alternating finger plucking pattern with her thumb catching the bass notes and

but basic strumming sounds good as well.

D/F# chord is actually a Dadd11/F#. She switches between {200033} and {200233}, for the sake of

D/F#

- {200233}

Dadd11/F# - {200033}

Em7

- {022033}

G/E

- {020033}

Cadd9

- {x32033}

Csus2

- {x30033}

- {320033}

Gsus2

- {300033}

CAPO 5

VERSE 1

Cadd9 G D/F# Cadd9

I was born to a man in the winter of '85

G D/F# Cadd9

had the sea in my blood and the salt in my lungs that night

I've heard stories about how

D/F#

when they took me away, you cried

Em7 G/E Cadd9 Csus2 Gsus2 Cadd9

Dadd11/F#

Oh, daddy, don't let them take me tonight

VERSE 2

Cadd9 G D/F# Cadd9

I was born to a man who only loves his name

so, he wrapped it around me

D/F# Cadd9

and, again when my brother came

oh, these pills don't go easy

D/F#

and now I know his pain

Em7 Cadd9 G D/F# Em7 G/E

Oh, daddy, don't let them see you this way

CHORUS

Csus2 Gsus2

Now, I am a rootless tree

D/F# Em7 G/E

a ship that is lost at sea

Csus2 Gsus2 D/F# Em7 G/E

yeah, he took the sails from me

Csus2 Gsus2

I burn it, I'm burning slow

D/F# Em7 G/E

I want you to know I know

Csus2 Gsus2

that you're not the end of me

D/F# Em7 G/E

oh, father

CONNECT 1

Cadd9 Gsus2

VERSE 3

Cadd9 G D/F# Cadd9

I was born to a man who drinks himself to death

G D/F# Cadd9

gave his time, there was nothing left

goes to church every Sunday

D/F#

he knows his soul is damned

Em7 Cadd9 G D/F# Em7 G/E

oh, daddy, don't do this, oh not again

SAME CHORUS AGAIN

CONNECT 2

Cadd9 G D/F# Em7 G/E

Cadd9 G D/F#

BRIDGE

Em7 Cadd9 G D/F#

there was a time when I would fit inside those arms

Em7 Cadd9 G D/F#

put my tiny feet on yours and we'd dance the floor

Em7 Cadd9

now who's gonna walk me down

I don't know anymore

D/F#

you are a sinking ship

Em7 Cadd9 Em7

and I have seen the shore

SAME CHORUS AGAIN

CONNECT 3

Cadd9 G D/F# Em7

G/E Cadd9

oh, father, where are you,

G D/F# Em7

oh, father, forget you

Cadd9

oh, father, where are you,

G D/F# Em7

oh, father, forget you

Cadd9

oh, father, where are you,

G D/F# Em7

oh, father, forget you

Cadd9

oh, father, where are you,

G D/F#

(once if strumming)

oh, father, forgive you

Em7 Cadd9 G D/F#

About Oh Father Chords by Meghan Tonjes

Learn how to play Oh Father by Meghan Tonjes with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Oh Father chords”, “Oh Father guitar chords”, or “Meghan Tonjes Oh Father 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 Oh Father chords and for experienced players who want accurate Oh Father lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D/F, F, D/F#, Em7, G/E, Cadd9.

FAQ — Oh Father by Meghan Tonjes

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What key is "Oh Father" in?

The chords for "Oh Father" show the original chord names (including D/F, F, D/F#, Em7, G/E, Cadd9). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.