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Unwed Fathers

Chords

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#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------##
The song is a 1-4-5 using very basic alternate bass picking.
[Intro]
G C G
[Verse]
GIn an Appalachian  CGreyhound GstationC  
She sits there Gwaiting, Din a family Gway
“Goodbye Gbrother, Ctell Mom I Glove herC  
Tell all the Gothers, DI'll write someGday.”
[Chorus]
GFrom an teenage Clover, to an unwed Gmother
kept underGcover, like some bad Ddream
While unwed Gfathers,  Cthey can't be GbotheredC  
They run like Gwater,  Dthrough a mountain Gstream
[Verse]
In a cold and Ggrey town,  Ca nurse says “GLay downC  
This ain't no Gplayground, Dand this ain't Ghome”
Someones Gchildren, Cout having GchildrenC  
in a grey stone Gbuilding,  Dall alGone
[Chorus]
GFrom an teenage Clover, to an unwed Gmother
kept underGcover, like some bad Ddream
While unwed Gfathers,  Cthey can't be GbotheredC  
They run like Gwater,  Dthrough a mountain Gstream
[Break]
G C  G C  G D  G
[Verse]
On a somewhere Gelse bound, CSmokey Mountain GGreyhoundC  
She bows her Ghead down,  Dhumming lullaGbys
“Your daddy Gnever,  Cmeant to hurt you GeverC  
He just don't Glive here,  Dbut you've got his Geyes”
[Chorus]
GFrom an teenage Clover, to an unwed Gmother
kept underGcover, like some bad Ddream
While unwed Gfathers,  Cthey can't be GbotheredC  
They run like Gwater,  Dthrough a mountain Gstream
Well they run like Gwater,  Dthrough a mountain GstreamD  G  

All chords in this song (3)

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Unwed Fathers

by John Prine

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#

#------------------------------------------------------------------------------##

The song is a 1-4-5 using very basic alternate bass picking.

[Intro]

G C G

[Verse]

G C G C

In an Appalachian Greyhound station

G D G

She sits there waiting, in a family way

G C G C

“Goodbye brother, tell Mom I love her

G D G

Tell all the others, I'll write someday.”

[Chorus]

G C G

From an teenage lover, to an unwed mother

G D

kept undercover, like some bad dream

G C G C

While unwed fathers, they can't be bothered

G D G

They run like water, through a mountain stream

[Verse]

G C G C

In a cold and grey town, a nurse says “Lay down

G D G

This ain't no playground, and this ain't home”

G C G C

Someones children, out having children

G D G

in a grey stone building, all alone

[Chorus]

G C G

From an teenage lover, to an unwed mother

G D

kept undercover, like some bad dream

G C G C

While unwed fathers, they can't be bothered

G D G

They run like water, through a mountain stream

[Break]

G C G C G D G

[Verse]

G C G C

On a somewhere else bound, Smokey Mountain Greyhound

G D G

She bows her head down, humming lullabys

G C G C

“Your daddy never, meant to hurt you ever

G D G

He just don't live here, but you've got his eyes”

[Chorus]

G C G

From an teenage lover, to an unwed mother

G D

kept undercover, like some bad dream

G C G C

While unwed fathers, they can't be bothered

G D G

They run like water, through a mountain stream

G D G D G

Well they run like water, through a mountain stream

About Unwed Fathers Chords by John Prine

Learn how to play Unwed Fathers by John Prine with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Unwed Fathers chords”, “Unwed Fathers guitar chords”, or “John Prine Unwed Fathers 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 Unwed Fathers chords and for experienced players who want accurate Unwed Fathers lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, D.

FAQ — Unwed Fathers by John Prine

How do I play "Unwed Fathers" by John Prine on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Unwed Fathers" by John Prine 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 "Unwed Fathers" by John Prine free?

Yes. The chords for "Unwed Fathers" by John Prine are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Unwed Fathers" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Unwed Fathers"?

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

Is "Unwed Fathers" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Unwed Fathers" by John Prine with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by John Prine below.

What key is "Unwed Fathers" in?

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