Cuban Girls
View chords used in this chart
Intro
E E E E
[Verso 1]
E E A
Across the bay, they used to say, the rich men came around
E E A
Morning and night in their earthly paradise but it's all over now
E E A
And it's sad for me to admit that she could have loved me but I left her behind
E C#m
Sailors, sing a song of sorrow Will I come back tomorrow? I don't know now
[Refrão]
The Cuban girls say:
E A
"Ai-i-yai-i-yai with each night that goes by
E A G F#m
Tie another ribbon 'round the old palm tree
E C#m
Ai-i-yai-i-yai with each night that goes by
D E
I don't believe he's sailing home to me, to me"
[Verso 2]
E E A
Across the night, before it got light I used to call her name
E E A
I would step from the dock saying things I should not And hoping she might feel the same
E E A
And it's hard for me to understand how she could've loved me but let me go blind
E C#m
Sailors, sing a song for tomorrow there'll be tears There'll be sorrow,
E
I don't know why
[Ponte]
E F#m
Don't let me go to my grave
E A A A
Without these memories I'm trying to save!
[Refrão]
E
Oh the Cuban girls say:
E A
"Ai-i-yai-i-yai with each night that goes by
E A G F#m
Tie another ribbon 'round the old palm tree
E C#m
Ai-i-yai-i-yai with each night that goes by
D E
I don't believe he's sailing home to me, to me"
Outro
E
A E
E A
E A
E
How to play Cuban Girls
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 E. 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.