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Uncle Toad Said

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Gordon Lightfoot - Uncle Toad Said
CAPO: 6th Fret
[INTRO:]    C   F     C   G     C   F    C  G  
[VERSE 1:]
CUncle Toad sitting by the old south Fgate 
CWaiting them boys, they been staying out Glate 
CUncle Toad thinks they are way out of Fline 
CMaybe they think he is past his GprimeC  F  
[CHORUS:]
GUncle Toad said, "Better straighten up right" 
When CUncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sightF  C  G  C  
[VERSE 2:]
CUncle Toad lived in the wood out Fback 
CLived in the shade of a utility Gshack 
CHe looked in at the big brick Fhouse 
CAt the girls as quiet as a GmouseC  F  
[CHORUS:]
GUncle Toad said, "You had best get it right" 
When CUncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sightF  C  G  C  
[VERSE 3:]
CUncle Toad tucked in the compost Fpile 
COut by the back door, look at him Gsmile 
CHe said, "Kid stop drinking that Fbrew 
CPlan while you can or the joke's on Gyou"C  F  
[CHORUS:]
GUncle Toad said, "Better straighten up right" 
When CUncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sightF  C  G  C  
[VERSE 4:]
CUncle Toad sitting by the swimming Fpool 
CSits in the sun when the weather turns Gcool 
CSits in the sun when the girls walk Fby 
CMaybe they think he's a little bit GslyC  F  
[CHORUS:]
GUncle Toad said, "You had best get it right" 
When CUncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sightF  C  G  C  F  C  G  C  
[VERSE 5:]
CUncle Toad sitting by the cool mill Frace 
CAll day long with a grin on his Gface 
CHe said, "Boys you had better not Ftry 
CKissing 'em girls, 'cause I won't stand Gby"C  F  
[CHORUS:]
GUncle Toad said, "Better straighten up right" 
When CUncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sightF  C  G  C  
[VERSE 6:]
CUncle Toad sitting by the wrought iron Ffence 
CLooks at the moon like it don't make Gsense 
CWe say, "Toad, here's looking at Fyou 
CHoping you'll get your wish Gtoo"C  F  
[CHORUS:]
GSway to the left, sway to the right 
When CUncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight
[OUTRO:]    (## repeat to end ##)
         C   F C   G C   F C  G

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

Gordon Lightfoot was a Canadian singer-songwriter known for his timeless songs exploring themes of trains, shipwrecks, rivers, highways, lovers, and loneliness. His work helped define the singer-songwriter era of the 1970s, earning him widespread success and recognition for his distinctive style. "Uncle Toad Said," appearing on the album "A Painter Passing Through," invites you into his world of reflective storytelling. Playing this song feels like stepping into a quiet conversation, full of wisdom and observation.

AI-written from these sources:Gordon Lightfoot — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Uncle Toad Said

by Gordon Lightfoot

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Gordon Lightfoot - Uncle Toad Said

CAPO: 6th Fret

C F C G C F C G

[INTRO:]

[VERSE 1:]

C F

Uncle Toad sitting by the old south gate

C G

Waiting them boys, they been staying out late

C F

Uncle Toad thinks they are way out of line

C G C F

Maybe they think he is past his prime

[CHORUS:]

Uncle Toad said, "Better straighten up right"

C F C G C

When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight

[VERSE 2:]

C F

Uncle Toad lived in the wood out back

C G

Lived in the shade of a utility shack

C F

He looked in at the big brick house

C G C F

At the girls as quiet as a mouse

[CHORUS:]

Uncle Toad said, "You had best get it right"

C F C G C

When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight

[VERSE 3:]

C F

Uncle Toad tucked in the compost pile

C G

Out by the back door, look at him smile

C F

He said, "Kid stop drinking that brew

C G C F

Plan while you can or the joke's on you"

[CHORUS:]

Uncle Toad said, "Better straighten up right"

C F C G C

When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight

[VERSE 4:]

C F

Uncle Toad sitting by the swimming pool

C G

Sits in the sun when the weather turns cool

C F

Sits in the sun when the girls walk by

C G C F

Maybe they think he's a little bit sly

[CHORUS:]

Uncle Toad said, "You had best get it right"

C F C G C F C G C

When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight

[VERSE 5:]

C F

Uncle Toad sitting by the cool mill race

C G

All day long with a grin on his face

C F

He said, "Boys you had better not try

C G C F

Kissing 'em girls, 'cause I won't stand by"

[CHORUS:]

Uncle Toad said, "Better straighten up right"

C F C G C

When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight

[VERSE 6:]

C F

Uncle Toad sitting by the wrought iron fence

C G

Looks at the moon like it don't make sense

C F

We say, "Toad, here's looking at you

C G C F

Hoping you'll get your wish too"

[CHORUS:]

Sway to the left, sway to the right

When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight

[OUTRO:] (## repeat to end ##)

C F C G C F C G

About Uncle Toad Said Chords by Gordon Lightfoot

Learn how to play Uncle Toad Said by Gordon Lightfoot with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Uncle Toad Said chords”, “Uncle Toad Said guitar chords”, or “Gordon Lightfoot Uncle Toad Said 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 Uncle Toad Said chords and for experienced players who want accurate Uncle Toad Said lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, G.

FAQ — Uncle Toad Said by Gordon Lightfoot

How do I play "Uncle Toad Said" by Gordon Lightfoot on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Uncle Toad Said" by Gordon Lightfoot on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Uncle Toad Said" by Gordon Lightfoot free?

Yes. The chords for "Uncle Toad Said" by Gordon Lightfoot are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Uncle Toad Said" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Uncle Toad Said" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Uncle Toad Said"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Uncle Toad Said" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Uncle Toad Said" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Uncle Toad Said" by Gordon Lightfoot with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Gordon Lightfoot below.

What key is "Uncle Toad Said" in?

The chords for "Uncle Toad Said" show the original chord names (including C, F, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.