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Uncle Lem

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[Verse 1]
C
The ladies of the garden club say
                                   G
His home is just a disgrace to the town
If the Mayor wants re-elected
                                       C
He'd better pass some laws and tear it down
They wanna cover it with flowers
                              F
Maybe even plant some dogwood trees
  G
I guess that they've forgotten
                                          C
When we were kids what that place used to be
[Verse 2]
C
I know it's just a shanty now
                                          G
But Lord, that place was built with human tears
For it's the home of Uncle Lem
                                           C
Who was born and raised and lived there ninety years
There's not a boy in this whole town
                                F
Hasn't stopped for water at his well
   G
Or sat on his porch in the evenin'
                                      C
And listened to the stories that he'd tell
[Chorus]
        G
Oh, his hair was the color of a cotton field
        F                C
And his skin was old and brown
    F                   C
And he was born in that rundown shack
                   G
Before there was a town
   F
He bought that shack and a piece of earth
        C
For the highest price to pay
His mom was bought and sold there
      G                C
Uncle Lem was born'd a slave
[Bridge]
C
The mayor and some ladies of the garden club
                                                        G
Went out to tell Uncle Lem that he'd have to find a new place to live
Well, they found him there in that old broken down rockin' chair
                                       C
And on an old paper bag they found his will
"Now I wanna leave my old shotgun to the fine mayor of this town
                                          G
For I remember when he a little fella, he used to follow me around
Lord, I wish I had more to give to my friends that I love
But all I've got is this old shack and a piece of earth
C
And I want it to go to the ladies of the garden club"
[Chorus]
        G
Oh, his hair was the color of a cotton field
        F                C
And his skin was old and brown
    F                   C
And he was born in that rundown shack
                   G
Before there was a town
   F
He bought that shack and a piece of earth
        C
For the highest price to pay
His mom was bought and sold there
      G                C
Uncle Lem was born'd a slave

Uncle Lem chords and lyrics

Free chords for Uncle Lem by Merle Haggard. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

[Verse 1]
If the Mayor wants re-elected
They wanna cover it with flowers
[Verse 2]
For it's the home of Uncle Lem
There's not a boy in this whole town
[Chorus]
His mom was bought and sold there
[Bridge]
Well, they found him there in that old broken down rockin' chair
"Now I wanna leave my old shotgun to the fine mayor of this town
Lord, I wish I had more to give to my friends that I love
But all I've got is this old shack and a piece of earth
[Chorus]
His mom was bought and sold there

Uncle Lem Chords by Merle Haggard

Learn how to play Uncle Lem by Merle Haggard with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Uncle Lem chords”, “Uncle Lem guitar chords”, or “Merle Haggard Uncle Lem 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 Uncle Lem chords and for experienced players who want accurate Uncle Lem lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, F.

Frequently asked questions about Uncle Lem

How do I play "Uncle Lem" by Merle Haggard on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Uncle Lem" by Merle Haggard 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 "Uncle Lem" by Merle Haggard free?

Yes. The chords for "Uncle Lem" by Merle Haggard are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Uncle Lem" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Uncle Lem"?

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

Is "Uncle Lem" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Uncle Lem" by Merle Haggard with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Merle Haggard below.

What key is "Uncle Lem" in?

The chords for "Uncle Lem" show the original chord names (including C, G, F). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.