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The Cuckoo

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Dmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
Em////
A////
Em////
Em////
Em//
{Chorus]
EmOh the cuckoo,  she's a pretty bird
and she Dwarbles Aas she fEmlies
Em////
EmShe brings us  glad tidings
Emand she tells us no lies
Em///  ///
EmShe sucks all the pretty flowers
so Dshe sings loud and Emclear
Em///
Emand she never hollers cuckoo
till the Bmspringtime Dof  Emthe year
[Instrumental]
Em////  Em////
A////
Em////  Em////
Em////   Bm//   D//
Em////    Em///
[Verse 1]
Emcome on, all you young women
Take a Dwarning, Aif you Emcan
never Emplace your affection
on a Bmlove  Dof a Emman
Em//
Emfor the roots they will wither
and the DbranchAes deEmcay
Then he'll Emturn his back on you
and he'll Bmwalk Dstraight aEmway
[Instrumental]
Em//// Em////
D//   A//
Em////  Em////
Em////
Bm//    D//   E////
Em////  Em//
[Verse 2]
EmWell a meeting it's a pleasure
and Dparting Ais her Egrief Em//
Embut an inconstant lover
is Bmworse Dthan a Emthief  E//   Em//
Emfor the theif he would rob you
and Dtake what Ayou have Emade  Em//
Emwhile an inconstant lover
will Bmlead you Dto your Emgrave
[Instrumental]
Em////   Em////
D//     A//
Em////   Em////
Em////   D////
Em////   Em////
Em////   Em///
[Chorus]
EmOh the cuckoo, she's a pretty bird
and she Dwarbles Aas she Emflies Em///
she Embrings us glad tidings
and she Emtells us Dno Elies
[Instrumental]
Em////   Em////
D//     A//
Em////   Em////  /Em/
E//    Bm//   D//
E////  E////
E////  E////
FADE

All chords in this song (5)

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The Cuckoo

by Dave Alvin

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

////

{Chorus]

Oh the cuckoo, she's a pretty bird

D A Em

and she warbles as she flies

////

She brings us glad tidings

and she tells us no lies

/// ///

She sucks all the pretty flowers

D Em

so she sings loud and clear

///

and she never hollers cuckoo

Bm D Em

till the springtime of the year

[Instrumental]

Em Em

//// ////

////

Em Em

//// ////

Em Bm D

//// // //

Em Em

//// ///

[Verse 1]

come on, all you young women

D A Em

Take a warning, if you can

never place your affection

Bm D Em

on a love of a man

for the roots they will wither

D A Em

and the branches decay

Then he'll turn his back on you

Bm D Em

and he'll walk straight away

[Instrumental]

Em Em

//// ////

D A

// //

Em Em

//// ////

////

Bm D E

// // ////

Em Em

//// //

[Verse 2]

Well a meeting it's a pleasure

D A E Em

and parting is her grief //

but an inconstant lover

Bm D Em E Em

is worse than a thief // //

for the theif he would rob you

D A E Em

and take what you have made //

while an inconstant lover

Bm D Em

will lead you to your grave

[Instrumental]

Em Em

//// ////

D A

// //

Em Em

//// ////

Em D

//// ////

Em Em

//// ////

Em Em

//// ///

[Chorus]

Oh the cuckoo, she's a pretty bird

D A Em Em

and she warbles as she flies ///

she brings us glad tidings

Em D E

and she tells us no lies

[Instrumental]

Em Em

//// ////

D A

// //

Em Em Em

//// //// //

E Bm D

// // //

E E

//// ////

E E

//// ////

FADE

About The Cuckoo Chords by Dave Alvin

Learn how to play The Cuckoo by Dave Alvin with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Cuckoo chords”, “The Cuckoo guitar chords”, or “Dave Alvin 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 Em, A, D, Bm, E.

FAQ — The Cuckoo by Dave Alvin

How do I play "The Cuckoo" by Dave Alvin on guitar?

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Can I transpose "The Cuckoo" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Cuckoo"?

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

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 Em, A, D, Bm, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.