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The Cruel Mother

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Dmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
Em  A  G  A
Em  A  G  A
[Verse]
There Emwas a lady lived in YorkA  
She Gstabbed her baby to the heartA  
She dEmrew a scarf from off her headA  
She Gbound the baby's hands and legsA  
[Verse]
She Emdrew a knife, long and sharpA  
She Gstabbed the baby to the heartA  
She Emwiped the knife upon the grassA  
The Gmore she wiped, the blood ran fastA  
[Verse]
As Emshe was going to her father's hallA  
She Gsaw three children playing at ballA  
EmOne in silk, the other in satinA  
The Gother was naked as ever was bornA  
[Verse]
"EmOh, dear child, if you were mineA  
I'd Gdress you in silk and satins so fine"A  
"Oh, Emmother dear, I once was thineA  
You Gnever would dress me, coarse or fine"A  
[Instrumental]
B  Em  B  A
B  Em  B  A
B  Em  B  A
[Verse]
"EmMother, mother, for your sinsA  
GHeaven you shall not enterA  
EmThere is fire beyond Hell's gateA  
And Gthere you'll burn forever"A  

All chords in this song (4)

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The Cruel Mother

by Steeleye Span

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

Em A G A

[Verse]

Em A

There was a lady lived in York

G A

She stabbed her baby to the heart

Em A

She drew a scarf from off her head

G A

She bound the baby's hands and legs

[Verse]

Em A

She drew a knife, long and sharp

G A

She stabbed the baby to the heart

Em A

She wiped the knife upon the grass

G A

The more she wiped, the blood ran fast

[Verse]

Em A

As she was going to her father's hall

G A

She saw three children playing at ball

Em A

One in silk, the other in satin

G A

The other was naked as ever was born

[Verse]

Em A

"Oh, dear child, if you were mine

G A

I'd dress you in silk and satins so fine"

Em A

"Oh, mother dear, I once was thine

G A

You never would dress me, coarse or fine"

[Instrumental]

B Em B A

[Verse]

Em A

"Mother, mother, for your sins

G A

Heaven you shall not enter

Em A

There is fire beyond Hell's gate

G A

And there you'll burn forever"

About The Cruel Mother Chords by Steeleye Span

Learn how to play The Cruel Mother by Steeleye Span with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Cruel Mother chords”, “The Cruel Mother guitar chords”, or “Steeleye Span The Cruel Mother 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 The Cruel Mother chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Cruel Mother lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, A, G, B.

FAQ — The Cruel Mother by Steeleye Span

How do I play "The Cruel Mother" by Steeleye Span on guitar?

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Can I transpose "The Cruel Mother" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Cruel Mother"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Cruel Mother" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Cruel Mother" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Cruel Mother" by Steeleye Span with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Steeleye Span below.

What key is "The Cruel Mother" in?

The chords for "The Cruel Mother" show the original chord names (including Em, A, G, B). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.