Johnny Be Fair
View chords used in this chart
Intro: Am G E Am E Am
[Verso 1]
Am G Am
Well, Johnny be fair and Johnny be fine and wants me for to wed
G E
And I would marry Johnny, but my father up and said
Am G E
I'm sad to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
A G F E A
But Johnny is a son of mine and so he's kin to you
Am G F E Am
[Verso 2]
Am G Am
Well, Jimmy be fair and Jimmy be fine and wants me for to wed
G E
And I would marry Jimmy, but my father up and said
Am G E
I'm sad to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
A G F E A
But Jimmy, too, is a son of mine and so he's kin to you
Am G F E Am
[Verso 3]
Am G Am
Well, Billy be fair and Billy be fine and wants me for to wed
G E
And I would marry Billy, but my father up and said
Am G E
I'm sad to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
A G F E A
But Billy, too, is a son of mine and so he's kin to you
Am G F E
[Verso 4]
Am G Am
You never seen a girl so sad and sorry as I was
G E
The boys in town are all my kin and my father is the cause
Am G E
If life should thus continue I shall die a single miss
A G F E A
And, so, I'll go to mother and complain to her of this
Am G F E Am
Mm mm mm
[Verso 5]
Am G Am
Oh daughter, haven't I taught you to forgive and to forget
G E
And, if your father sewed his oats, well, still you needn't fret
Am G E
Your father may be father to all the boys in town and still
A G F E A
He's not the one who sired you, so marry whom you will
How to play Johnny Be Fair
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 Am. 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.