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Alma

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Emajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

3/4 time, 110 bpm
Capo 1st fret (to get original key of F)
[Intro]
E  F#m  B
[Verse]
The Eloveliest girl ViAenna
Was BAlma, the smartest as Ewell
Once you picked her up on your anAtenna,
You'd Bnever be free of her Espell.
Her Clovers were many and Gvaried,
From the D7day she began her -- Gbeguine.
There were Em7three famous ones whom she A7married,
And F#who knows how many Bbetween.
[Chorus 1]
AAlma, Etell us!  BAll modern women are Ejealous.
AWhich of your magical Ewands C#got you F#mGustav and B7Walter and EFranz?
[Verse]
The Efirst one she married was AMahler,
Whose Bbuddies all knew him as EGustav.
And each time he saw her he'd Aholler:
"Ach, Bthat is the fraulein I Emoost have!"
Their Cmarriage, however, was Gmurduh
He'd D7scream to the heavens aGbove,
"I'm Em7writing Das Lied von der A7Erde,
And F#she only wants to make Blove!"
[Chorus 2]
AAlma, Etell us!  BAll modern women are Ejealous
You Ashould have a statue in Ebronze for C#bagging F#mGustav & B7Walter & EFranz
[Verse]
While Emarried to Gus, she met AGropius,
And Bsoon she was swinging with EWalter.
Gus died, and her tear drops were Acopious.
She Bcried all the way to the Ealtar.
But Che would work late at the GBauhaus,
And D7only came home now and Gthen
She said, Em7"What am I running, a A7chow house?
It's F#time to change parters aBgain."
[Chorus 3]
AAlma, Etell us!  BAll modern women are Ejealous
Though Ayou didn't even use EPonds,
C#You got F#mGustav and B7Walter and EFranz
[Verse]
While Emarried to Walt she'd met AWerfel,
And Bhe too was caught in her Enet.
He married her, but he was Acareful,
'cause BAlma was no BernaEdette.
And Cthat is the story of GAlma,
Who knew D7how to receive and to Ggive
The Em7body that reached her A7embalma'
Was F#one that had known how to Blive!
[Chorus 4]
AAlma, Etell us!  BHow can they help being Ejealous?
ADucks always envy the Eswans C#who get F#mGustav and B7Walter,
You F#mnever did B7falter, with F#mGustav and B7Walter and EFranz
[Outro]
B7 E

All chords in this song (12)

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Alma

by Tom Lehrer

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 1 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

Em7

3/4 time, 110 bpm

Capo 1st fret (to get original key of F)

[Intro]

E F#m B

[Verse]

E A

The loveliest girl Vienna

B E

Was Alma, the smartest as well

Once you picked her up on your antenna,

B E

You'd never be free of her spell.

C G

Her lovers were many and varied,

D7 G

From the day she began her -- beguine.

Em7 A7

There were three famous ones whom she married,

F# B

And who knows how many between.

[Chorus 1]

A E B E

Alma, tell us! All modern women are jealous.

A E C# F#m B7 E

Which of your magical wands got you Gustav and Walter and Franz?

[Verse]

E A

The first one she married was Mahler,

B E

Whose buddies all knew him as Gustav.

And each time he saw her he'd holler:

B E

"Ach, that is the fraulein I moost have!"

C G

Their marriage, however, was murduh

D7 G

He'd scream to the heavens above,

Em7 A7

"I'm writing Das Lied von der Erde,

F# B

And she only wants to make love!"

[Chorus 2]

A E B E

Alma, tell us! All modern women are jealous

A E C# F#m B7 E

You should have a statue in bronze for bagging Gustav & Walter & Franz

[Verse]

E A

While married to Gus, she met Gropius,

B E

And soon she was swinging with Walter.

Gus died, and her tear drops were copious.

B E

She cried all the way to the altar.

C G

But he would work late at the Bauhaus,

D7 G

And only came home now and then

Em7 A7

She said, "What am I running, a chow house?

F# B

It's time to change parters again."

[Chorus 3]

A E B E

Alma, tell us! All modern women are jealous

A E

Though you didn't even use Ponds,

C# F#m B7 E

You got Gustav and Walter and Franz

[Verse]

E A

While married to Walt she'd met Werfel,

B E

And he too was caught in her net.

He married her, but he was careful,

B E

'cause Alma was no Bernadette.

C G

And that is the story of Alma,

D7 G

Who knew how to receive and to give

Em7 A7

The body that reached her embalma'

F# B

Was one that had known how to live!

[Chorus 4]

A E B E

Alma, tell us! How can they help being jealous?

A E C# F#m B7

Ducks always envy the swans who get Gustav and Walter,

F#m B7 F#m B7 E

You never did falter, with Gustav and Walter and Franz

[Outro]

B7 E

About Alma Chords by Tom Lehrer

Learn how to play Alma by Tom Lehrer with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Alma chords”, “Alma guitar chords”, or “Tom Lehrer Alma 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 Alma chords and for experienced players who want accurate Alma lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F, E, F#m, B, A, C.

FAQ — Alma by Tom Lehrer

How do I play "Alma" by Tom Lehrer on guitar?

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Is "Alma" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Alma" in?

The chords for "Alma" show the original chord names (including F, E, F#m, B, A, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.