Now playing

Martin Was A Monkey

Chords

4.23 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

(Capo 4th fret)
CMartin was a monFmaj7key
He Clived in London zooFmaj7  
He Chad a monkey tyreFmaj7  
And a moCnkey tree branch tooFmaj7  
But AmMartin wasn't Ghappy there
He Amsat and dreamt all dayG  
AAmbout the thing he waD/F#nted most
A Gskiing hG7oliday
He'd Cshoot off down the mounFmaj7tain
And Cwhizz across the snowFmaj7  
He'd Cslalom in between the Fmaj7flags
He Ccouldn't wait to Fmaj7go
But he Amnever did go skiing
He cDm7ouldn't go because
GmMartin was a monkey
And a moCnkey's what he was.Fmaj7  
C    Fmaj7
He Ctold his friends about Fmaj7it
They Cthought that it was Fmaj7daft
They Claughed and laughed and Fmaj7laughed and laughed
And Claughed and laughed and Fmaj7laughed.
But he Amleft his branch, he Gleft his tree
AmHe leapt apon the Gfloor
But he Amcouldn't leave the D/F#cage
Because a Glock was on the G7door
He Ctalked to the zooFmaj7keepers
He Casked to be set Fmaj7free
But Cnobody would lisFmaj7ten
'Cos they Ccouldn't speak monFmaj7key
He Amnever did go skiing
He cDm7ouldn't go because
GmMartin was a monkey
And a moCnkey's what he was.Fmaj7  
C    Fmaj7
He Amstood and looked out from the cage
It Emsimply wasn't fair
Why Amdid he have to stay inside
When Emskiing was out there?
But Amthat's the way life Gwas
And Amthere was nothing he Gcould do
It Amseemed that all things D/F#had a place
And Ghis was in the G7zoo.
So CMartin never got his Fmaj7dream
He Csimply sat and Fmaj7cried
He Cspent his life in London Fmaj7Zoo
UnCtil the day he Fmaj7died.
He Amnever did go skiing
He cDm7ouldn't go because
GmMartin was a monkey
And a moCnkey's what he was.Fmaj7  
And a moCnkey's what he was.Fmaj7  
And a moCnkey's what he was.Fmaj7  

All chords in this song (9)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

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

Martin Was A Monkey

by Jay Foreman

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 4 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Fmaj7

D/F#

Dm7

(Capo 4th fret)

C Fmaj7

Martin was a monkey

C Fmaj7

He lived in London zoo

C Fmaj7

He had a monkey tyre

C Fmaj7

And a monkey tree branch too

Am G

But Martin wasn't happy there

Am G

He sat and dreamt all day

Am D/F#

About the thing he wanted most

G G7

A skiing holiday

C Fmaj7

He'd shoot off down the mountain

C Fmaj7

And whizz across the snow

C Fmaj7

He'd slalom in between the flags

C Fmaj7

He couldn't wait to go

But he never did go skiing

Dm7

He couldn't go because

Martin was a monkey

C Fmaj7

And a monkey's what he was.

C Fmaj7

He told his friends about it

C Fmaj7

They thought that it was daft

C Fmaj7

They laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed

C Fmaj7

And laughed and laughed and laughed.

Am G

But he left his branch, he left his tree

Am G

He leapt apon the floor

Am D/F#

But he couldn't leave the cage

G G7

Because a lock was on the door

C Fmaj7

He talked to the zookeepers

C Fmaj7

He asked to be set free

C Fmaj7

But nobody would listen

C Fmaj7

'Cos they couldn't speak monkey

He never did go skiing

Dm7

He couldn't go because

Martin was a monkey

C Fmaj7

And a monkey's what he was.

C Fmaj7

He stood and looked out from the cage

It simply wasn't fair

Why did he have to stay inside

When skiing was out there?

Am G

But that's the way life was

Am G

And there was nothing he could do

Am D/F#

It seemed that all things had a place

G G7

And his was in the zoo.

C Fmaj7

So Martin never got his dream

C Fmaj7

He simply sat and cried

C Fmaj7

He spent his life in London Zoo

C Fmaj7

Until the day he died.

He never did go skiing

Dm7

He couldn't go because

Martin was a monkey

C Fmaj7

And a monkey's what he was.

C Fmaj7

And a monkey's what he was.

C Fmaj7

And a monkey's what he was.

About Martin Was A Monkey Chords by Jay Foreman

Learn how to play Martin Was A Monkey by Jay Foreman with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Martin Was A Monkey chords”, “Martin Was A Monkey guitar chords”, or “Jay Foreman Martin Was A Monkey 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 Martin Was A Monkey chords and for experienced players who want accurate Martin Was A Monkey lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Fmaj7, Am, G, D/F#, G7.

FAQ — Martin Was A Monkey by Jay Foreman

How do I play "Martin Was A Monkey" by Jay Foreman on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Martin Was A Monkey" by Jay Foreman 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 "Martin Was A Monkey" by Jay Foreman free?

Yes. The chords for "Martin Was A Monkey" by Jay Foreman are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Martin Was A Monkey" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Martin Was A Monkey"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Martin Was A Monkey" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Martin Was A Monkey" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Martin Was A Monkey" by Jay Foreman with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Jay Foreman below.

What key is "Martin Was A Monkey" in?

The chords for "Martin Was A Monkey" show the original chord names (including C, Fmaj7, Am, G, D/F#, G7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.