Beaulampkin
View chords used in this chart
[Intro ]
D Bm Em D
[Verso 1]
A Bm G D
Beau Lampkins was as fine a mason as ever laid stone
G D A D
He built a fine castle and pay he got none
A Bm G D
Said the landlord to the lady, "When I am from home,
G D A D
beware of Beau Lampkins should he catch you alone"
[Verso 2]
A Bm G D
"Oh no," said the lady, "you need not fear him,
G D A D
our doors are all bolted and our windows barred in"
A Bm G D
Beau Lampkins rode by when the landlord was away
G D A D
And seeing a false nurse at the window, did say
[Verso 3]
A Bm G D
"Oh, where is the landlord or is he at home?"
G D A D
"He's gone to Mary, England for to visit his son"
A Bm G D
"And how shall I enter?" said Lampkins to her
G D A D
The false nurse then arose and unbolted the door
[Verso 4]
A Bm G D
"If the lady is upstairs, how shall we get her down?
G D A D
We'll stick her little baby full of needles and pins"
A Bm G D
Beau Lampkins rocked hard and the false nurse, she sung
G D A D
While the tears and red blood from the cradle did run
[Verso 5]
A Bm G D
The lady come downstairs, not thinking of harm
G D A D
Beau Lampkins then arose and caught her in his arms
A Bm G D
"Oh, spare me, Beau Lampkins, spare me a day
G D A D
And you shall have as much gold as your horse can take away
[Verso 6]
A Bm G D
Oh spare me, Beau Lampkins, oh spare me a while
G D A D
Can't you hear how mournful my little baby does cry?
A Bm G D
Oh spare me, Beau Lampkins, oh spare me an hour
G D A D
And you shall have my daughter Betsy, my own blooming flower"
[Verso 7]
A Bm G D
"You can keep your daughter Betsy to wait in the flood
G D A D
Here, hold the silver basin, to catch your heart's blood"
A Bm G D
"Oh stay, Daughter Betsy, in your chamber so high
G D A D
Till you hear your dear father as he comes riding by"
[Verso 8]
A Bm G D
"Oh, father," said Betsy when the landlord come home
G D A D
"Beau Lampkins killed my mother while you was gone"
A Bm G D
Beau Lampkins was hanged to the gallows so high
G D A D
While the false nurse was burned to a stake standing by
How to play Beaulampkin
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is D. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.