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Mama Said

Chords

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[Intro]
Dm     C     Am
[Verse 1]
DmMama she has taught me well
CTold me when I waAms young
DmSon your life's an open book
Don't Cclose it before it's Amdone
DmThe brightest flame burns quickest
Thats Cwhat I heard her Amsay
DmThe son's heart's owed to mother
But CI must find my Amway 
[Chorus]
DmLet Cmy Amheart Ggo
DmLet Cyour Amson Ggrow
Mama Dmlet Cmy Amheart Ggo
Or Dmlet tChis Bbheart Gbe Amstill.
[Instrumental]
Dm     C     Am
[Verse 2]
DmRebel, my new last name
CWild blood in my Amveins
DmApron strings around my neck
The Cmark that still Amremains
DmLeft home at an early age
of wChat I heard was Amwrong  
DmI never asked forgiveness
But Cwhat I said is Amdone
[Chorus]
DmLet Cmy Amheart Ggo
DmLet Cyour Amson Ggrow
Mama Dmlet Cmy Amheart Ggo
Or Dmlet tChis Bbheart Gbe Amstill.
[Bridge]
DmNever I Gasked of you
Cbut never I Fgave
DmBut you gave me your Gemptiness
I now Ctake to my grFave
DmNever I Gasked of you
Cbut never I Fgave
DmBut you gave me your Gemptiness
I now Ctake to my grFave
So leDmt thiCs heBbart be GstAmill.
[Verse 3]
DmMama now I'm coming home
I'm not aCll you wished of Amme
DmA mother's love for her son
CUnspoken, help me Ambe
Dmyeah I took your love for granted
and all the Cthings you said Amto me
DmI need your arms to welcome me
That Ccold stone's all AmI see 
[Chorus]
DmLet Cmy Amheart Ggo
DmLet Cyour Amson Ggrow
Mama Dmlet Cmy Amheart Ggo
Or Dmlet tChis Bbheart Gbe Amstill.
DmLet Cmy hAmeart Dmgo
Mama Dmlet Cmy hAmeart Dmgo
You never Dmlet Cmy hAmeart Dmgo
Mama Dmlet tChis Bbheart Gbe Amstill.
[Bridge]
(solo over  Dm   G   C   Ftwice)
DmNever I Gasked of you
Cbut never I Fgave
DmBut you gave me your Gemptiness
I now Ctake to my grFave
DmNever I Gasked of you
Cbut never I Fgave
DmBut you gave me your Gemptiness
I now Ctake to my grFave
So leDmt thiCs heBbart be GstAmill.
Here's that riff you all love:
e|--^------^-----------------------------------|
B|-15-----15---------^---15--^--15-------------|
G|-14--12-14----12--14------14--14--12---------|
D|---------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------|
Bend Bottom notes full
************************************
| ^    Bend/Release
************************************

All chords in this song (6)

The story behind the song

This country and Southern rock ballad, from the band's sixth studio album Load, delves into deeply personal territory. Its lyrics are a poignant reflection on the death of James Hetfield's mother, a theme that also inspired "Wasting My Hate." The song was influenced by Hetfield's friendship with country singer-songwriter Waylon Jennings. Playing this song channels a heartfelt, reflective journey through loss and remembrance.

AI-written from these sources:Mama Said (Metallica song) — Wikipedia ↗Metallica — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Mama Said

by Metallica

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

Dm C Am

[Verse 1]

Mama she has taught me well

C Am

Told me when I was young

Son your life's an open book

C Am

Don't close it before it's done

The brightest flame burns quickest

C Am

Thats what I heard her say

The son's heart's owed to mother

C Am

But I must find my way

[Chorus]

Dm C Am G

Let my heart go

Dm C Am G

Let your son grow

Dm C Am G

Mama let my heart go

Dm C Bb G Am

Or let this heart be still.

[Instrumental]

Dm C Am

[Verse 2]

Rebel, my new last name

C Am

Wild blood in my veins

Apron strings around my neck

C Am

The mark that still remains

Left home at an early age

C Am

of what I heard was wrong

I never asked forgiveness

C Am

But what I said is done

[Chorus]

Dm C Am G

Let my heart go

Dm C Am G

Let your son grow

Dm C Am G

Mama let my heart go

Dm C Bb G Am

Or let this heart be still.

[Bridge]

Dm G

Never I asked of you

C F

but never I gave

Dm G

But you gave me your emptiness

C F

I now take to my grave

Dm G

Never I asked of you

C F

but never I gave

Dm G

But you gave me your emptiness

C F

I now take to my grave

Dm C Bb G Am

So let this heart be still.

[Verse 3]

Mama now I'm coming home

C Am

I'm not all you wished of me

A mother's love for her son

C Am

Unspoken, help me be

yeah I took your love for granted

C Am

and all the things you said to me

I need your arms to welcome me

C Am

That cold stone's all I see

[Chorus]

Dm C Am G

Let my heart go

Dm C Am G

Let your son grow

Dm C Am G

Mama let my heart go

Dm C Bb G Am

Or let this heart be still.

Dm C Am Dm

Let my heart go

Dm C Am Dm

Mama let my heart go

Dm C Am Dm

You never let my heart go

Dm C Bb G Am

Mama let this heart be still.

[Bridge]

Dm G C F

(solo over twice)

Dm G

Never I asked of you

C F

but never I gave

Dm G

But you gave me your emptiness

C F

I now take to my grave

Dm G

Never I asked of you

C F

but never I gave

Dm G

But you gave me your emptiness

C F

I now take to my grave

Dm C Bb G Am

So let this heart be still.

Here's that riff you all love:

e|--^------^-----------------------------------|

B|-15-----15---------^---15--^--15-------------|

G|-14--12-14----12--14------14--14--12---------|

D|---------------------------------------------|

A|---------------------------------------------|

E|---------------------------------------------|

Bend Bottom notes full

************************************

| ^ Bend/Release

************************************

About Mama Said Chords by Metallica

Learn how to play Mama Said by Metallica with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Mama Said chords”, “Mama Said guitar chords”, or “Metallica 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 Dm, C, Am, G, Bb, F.

FAQ — Mama Said by Metallica

How do I play "Mama Said" by Metallica on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Mama Said" by Metallica 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 Metallica free?

Yes. The chords for "Mama Said" by Metallica 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 Metallica with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Metallica below.

What key is "Mama Said" in?

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