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The Cuckoo

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Eminor

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THE CUCKOO
As recorded by Rory Gallagher
(From the 2003 Album WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS)
[Intro]
Am
[1st Verse]
AmOh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
And she Emwarbles as she Amflies
AmAnd she never holler cuckoo
'Til the 4th Emday of JulAmy
[Verse 2]
AmJack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds
You're the Emmeanest card I kAmnow.
AmWell you've robbed my poor pockets
Of the silEmver and the Amgold
[Verse 3]
AmI'm goin up up on a mountain
I' m gonna builEmd me a whiskey Amstill
AmAnd I'll sell you one bottle
For a twenEmty dollar-Ambill
[Verse 4]
AmI'm going up upon a hillside
And I'm gonna staEmnd lookin' Amdown
AmSo I can see my little baby
Whenever Emshe comes walkin' rounAmd
[Verse 5]
AmOh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
And she Emwarbles as she Amflies
AmAnd she never holler cuckoo
'Til the 4th Emday of JulAmy
[Guitar Solo]
C  G  Am  C  G  Am
C  G  C   G  C  G
Am  Dadd11/A  A5  Dadd11/A
Am7  Dadd11/A  A5  Dadd11/A
Am7  G  Am   G/A  Am  G/A
Am   G/A  Am  C  G  Am
C  G  Am  C  G  C  G
C  G  Am  G  Am
[Verse 6]
AmWell, I'll eat, when I'm hungry
And I'll drinkEm,   when I'm drAmy
AmAnd if some woman don't shoot me
Then I'll livEme  a long Amtime
[Verse 7]
AmJack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds
Well, I've knowEmn you of Amold.
AmWell you rob my poor pockets
and you neaEmrly stole my Amsoul.
[Verse 8]
AmOh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
And she Emwarbles as she Amflies.
AmWell, she brings us glad tidings
And she nevEmer tells no Amlies.
[Outro]
AmOoh, ooh, ooh, Yay, ay ay  wooh,
EmOoh, yay, ay ay Amay
Ooh, ooh ooh, ooh, ooh, Emooh
Ooh, Amooh, yeah.
C  G  Am  C  G  Am
C  G  C  G  C  G  A

All chords in this song (9)

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The Cuckoo

by Rory Gallagher

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dadd11/A

Am7

G/A

THE CUCKOO

As recorded by Rory Gallagher

(From the 2003 Album WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS)

[Intro]

[1st Verse]

Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird

Em Am

And she warbles as she flies

And she never holler cuckoo

Em Am

'Til the 4th day of July

[Verse 2]

Jack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds

Em Am

You're the meanest card I know.

Well you've robbed my poor pockets

Em Am

Of the silver and the gold

[Verse 3]

I'm goin up up on a mountain

Em Am

I' m gonna build me a whiskey still

And I'll sell you one bottle

Em Am

For a twenty dollar-bill

[Verse 4]

I'm going up upon a hillside

Em Am

And I'm gonna stand lookin' down

So I can see my little baby

Em Am

Whenever she comes walkin' round

[Verse 5]

Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird

Em Am

And she warbles as she flies

And she never holler cuckoo

Em Am

'Til the 4th day of July

[Guitar Solo]

C G Am C G Am

C G C G C G

Am Dadd11/A A5 Dadd11/A

Am7 Dadd11/A A5 Dadd11/A

Am7 G Am G/A Am G/A

Am G/A Am C G Am

C G Am C G C G

C G Am G Am

[Verse 6]

Well, I'll eat, when I'm hungry

Em Am

And I'll drink, when I'm dry

And if some woman don't shoot me

Em Am

Then I'll live a long time

[Verse 7]

Jack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds

Em Am

Well, I've known you of old.

Well you rob my poor pockets

Em Am

and you nearly stole my soul.

[Verse 8]

Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird

Em Am

And she warbles as she flies.

Well, she brings us glad tidings

Em Am

And she never tells no lies.

[Outro]

Ooh, ooh, ooh, Yay, ay ay wooh,

Em Am

Ooh, yay, ay ay ay

Ooh, ooh ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh, yeah.

C G Am C G Am

C G C G C G A

About The Cuckoo Chords by Rory Gallagher

Learn how to play The Cuckoo by Rory Gallagher with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Cuckoo chords”, “The Cuckoo guitar chords”, or “Rory Gallagher The Cuckoo 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 The Cuckoo chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Cuckoo lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, Em, C, G, Dadd11/A, A5.

FAQ — The Cuckoo by Rory Gallagher

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Is "The Cuckoo" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Cuckoo" in?

The chords for "The Cuckoo" show the original chord names (including Am, Em, C, G, Dadd11/A, A5). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.