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Mama Said

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Gordon Lightfoot - Mama Said
CAPO: 2nd Fret
[INTRO:]    D    C      D    C  D  
[VERSE 1:]
Mama said, "See it through
CDon't let the night put the Dbite on you 
Take your time, make your plan"
CMama said, "Son be your Down best man" 
[VERSE 2:]
Mama said, "Play it straight
CDo what you like, only Ddo it up right 
Take your time, don't run wild" 
CMama said, "Son you're my Done man child"
[CHORUS:]
GMama didn't have that Aknow-it-all way 
She Bmlived by the book and she Aprayed everyday 
GNever was a time when a Arhythm or rhyme 
Or the Bmwords of a song ever Gslipped her mind
[VERSE 3:]
DMama said, "Go out there
CPlay at the game and you Dbetter play fair 
Make sure your song gets sung" 
CMama said, "Honey be your Down big gun"
[INSTRUMENTAL:]    D    C      D    C  D  
[CHORUS:]
GMama didn't care when AI never came home 
She Bmlearned how to cope with the Aend of a phone 
GDad went away to his Aplace in the sky 
BmMom said, "Son, he was a Greal good guy"
[VERSE 4:]
DMom said, "See it through
CDon't let the night put the Dbite on you 
Take your time, don't run wild"
CMama said, "Son you're my Done man child 
[INSTRUMENTAL:]    D    C      D    C  D  
[CHORUS:]
GMama didn't have that Aknow-it-all way 
She Bmlived by the book and she Aprayed everyday 
GNever was a time when a Arhythm or rhyme 
Or the Bmwords of a song ever Gslipped her mind
[VERSE 5:]
DMama said, "See it through
CDon't let the night put the Dbite on you 
Take your time, make your plan"
CMama said, "Son be your Down best man" 
[VERSE 6:]
Mama said, "Go out there
CPlay at the game and you Dbetter play fair 
Take your time, don't run wild" 
CMama said, "Son you're my Done man child 
Take your time, don't run wild" 
CMama said, "Son you're my Done man child"
[OUTRO:]    D    C      D    C  D  

All chords in this song (5)

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Mama Said

by Gordon Lightfoot

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Gordon Lightfoot - Mama Said

CAPO: 2nd Fret

D C D C D

[INTRO:]

[VERSE 1:]

Mama said, "See it through

C D

Don't let the night put the bite on you

Take your time, make your plan"

C D

Mama said, "Son be your own best man"

[VERSE 2:]

Mama said, "Play it straight

C D

Do what you like, only do it up right

Take your time, don't run wild"

C D

Mama said, "Son you're my one man child"

[CHORUS:]

G A

Mama didn't have that know-it-all way

Bm A

She lived by the book and she prayed everyday

G A

Never was a time when a rhythm or rhyme

Bm G

Or the words of a song ever slipped her mind

[VERSE 3:]

Mama said, "Go out there

C D

Play at the game and you better play fair

Make sure your song gets sung"

C D

Mama said, "Honey be your own big gun"

D C D C D

[INSTRUMENTAL:]

[CHORUS:]

G A

Mama didn't care when I never came home

Bm A

She learned how to cope with the end of a phone

G A

Dad went away to his place in the sky

Bm G

Mom said, "Son, he was a real good guy"

[VERSE 4:]

Mom said, "See it through

C D

Don't let the night put the bite on you

Take your time, don't run wild"

C D

Mama said, "Son you're my one man child

D C D C D

[INSTRUMENTAL:]

[CHORUS:]

G A

Mama didn't have that know-it-all way

Bm A

She lived by the book and she prayed everyday

G A

Never was a time when a rhythm or rhyme

Bm G

Or the words of a song ever slipped her mind

[VERSE 5:]

Mama said, "See it through

C D

Don't let the night put the bite on you

Take your time, make your plan"

C D

Mama said, "Son be your own best man"

[VERSE 6:]

Mama said, "Go out there

C D

Play at the game and you better play fair

Take your time, don't run wild"

C D

Mama said, "Son you're my one man child

Take your time, don't run wild"

C D

Mama said, "Son you're my one man child"

D C D C D

[OUTRO:]

About Mama Said Chords by Gordon Lightfoot

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

FAQ — Mama Said by Gordon Lightfoot

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

Open the free chords for "Mama 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 "Mama Said" by Gordon Lightfoot free?

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

Can I transpose "Mama Said" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Mama Said"?

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

Is "Mama Said" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Mama 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 "Mama Said" in?

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