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Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding

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Dmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
D   F#m/C#  Em7  A7
[Verse 1]
The Dboys were singing sBmhing-a-ling
The Em7summer night we met
AYou were tan and seventeen
O Dhow could I forgEm7etA  
When Devery star from Bmnear and far
Was Em7watching from above
AWatching two teenagers fall in Dlove
[Verse 2]
The Dway we danced was Bmnot a dance
But Em7more a long embrace
We Aheld on to each other and
We Dfloated there in sEm7paceA  
And DI was shy to Bmkiss you while
The Em7whole wide world could see
So Ashing-a-ling said everything for Dme
[Chorus]
And Em7O the poor old Aold folks
They Dthought we'd lost our minds
BmThey could not make F#mheads or tails
Of the Em7young folks' funny rA7sushymesA  
But Dyou and I knew Bmall the words
And we Em7always sang Gmalong to
DO sham-a-Bmling-dong-Em7ding
Sham-a-Aling-dang-Ddong
Bm  Em7  A
[Verse 3]
So Dafter years and Bmafter tears
And Em7after summers past
The Aold folks tried to warn us
How our Dlove would never Em7lastA  
And Dall we'd get was Bmsoaking wet
From Em7walking in the rain
And Asinging sham-a-shing-a-ling agDain
[Chorus]
And Em7O the poor old Aold folks
They Dsmile and walk away
But I Bmbet they did some
F#mSham-a-lama-Em7ding-dong in their Aday
DI bet that they still Bmclose their eyes
And I Em7bet they sing Gmalong to
DO sham-a-Bmling-dong-Em7ding
Sham-a-Aling-dang-dong
[Bridge]
BmO those sweet old love songs
DEvery word rings true
Sham-a-Bmling-dong-ding means sweetheart
Sham-a-Em7ling-dang-dong does A7sustooA  
DAnd it means that right here Bmin my arms
Em7That's where you Gmbelong
And it Dmeans sham-a-Bmling-dong-Em7ding
Sham-a-Aling-dang-Ddong
[Outro]
Bm   Em7   A7sus A

All chords in this song (9)

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Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding

by Jesse Winchester

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m/C#

Em7

F#m

A7sus

[Intro]

D F#m/C# Em7 A7

[Verse 1]

D Bm

The boys were singing shing-a-ling

Em7

The summer night we met

You were tan and seventeen

D Em7 A

O how could I forget

D Bm

When every star from near and far

Em7

Was watching from above

A D

Watching two teenagers fall in love

[Verse 2]

D Bm

The way we danced was not a dance

Em7

But more a long embrace

We held on to each other and

D Em7 A

We floated there in space

D Bm

And I was shy to kiss you while

Em7

The whole wide world could see

A D

So shing-a-ling said everything for me

[Chorus]

Em7 A

And O the poor old old folks

They thought we'd lost our minds

Bm F#m

They could not make heads or tails

Em7 A7sus A

Of the young folks' funny rhymes

D Bm

But you and I knew all the words

Em7 Gm

And we always sang along to

D Bm Em7

O sham-a-ling-dong-ding

A D

Sham-a-ling-dang-dong

Bm Em7 A

[Verse 3]

D Bm

So after years and after tears

Em7

And after summers past

The old folks tried to warn us

D Em7 A

How our love would never last

D Bm

And all we'd get was soaking wet

Em7

From walking in the rain

A D

And singing sham-a-shing-a-ling again

[Chorus]

Em7 A

And O the poor old old folks

They smile and walk away

But I bet they did some

F#m Em7 A

Sham-a-lama-ding-dong in their day

D Bm

I bet that they still close their eyes

Em7 Gm

And I bet they sing along to

D Bm Em7

O sham-a-ling-dong-ding

Sham-a-ling-dang-dong

[Bridge]

O those sweet old love songs

Every word rings true

Sham-a-ling-dong-ding means sweetheart

Em7 A7sus A

Sham-a-ling-dang-dong does too

D Bm

And it means that right here in my arms

Em7 Gm

That's where you belong

D Bm Em7

And it means sham-a-ling-dong-ding

A D

Sham-a-ling-dang-dong

[Outro]

Bm Em7 A7sus A

About Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding Chords by Jesse Winchester

Learn how to play Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding by Jesse Winchester with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding chords”, “Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding guitar chords”, or “Jesse Winchester Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding 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 Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding chords and for experienced players who want accurate Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, F#m/C#, Em7, A7, Bm, A.

FAQ — Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding by Jesse Winchester

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What key is "Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding" in?

The chords for "Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding" show the original chord names (including D, F#m/C#, Em7, A7, Bm, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.