Johnny Be Fair
View chords used in this chart
verse 1
Am G Am
Well, Johnny be fair and Johnny be fine and wants me for to wed
Em G Em
And I would marry Johnny, but my father up and said
Am Em G Em
I'm sad to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
Am G C Em Am
But Johnny is a son of mine and so he's kin to you
verse 2
Am G Am
Well, Jimmy be fair and Jimmy be fine and wants me for to wed
Em G Em
And I would marry Jimmy, but my father up and said
Am Em G Em
I'm sad to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
Am G C Em Am
But Jimmy, too, is a son of mine and so he's kin to you
verse 3
Am G Am
Well, Billy be fair and Billy be fine and wants me for to wed
Em G Em
And I would marry Billy, but my father up and said
Am Em G Em
I'm sad to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
Am G C Em Am
But Billy, too, is a son of mine and so he's kin to you
verse 4
Am G Am
You never seen a girl so sad and sorry as I was
Em G Em
The boys in town are all my kin and my father is the pa
Am Em G Em
If this does continue I shall die a single miss
Am G C Em Am
I will go to mother and complain to her of this
Verse 5
Am G Am
Oh daughter, haven't I taught you to forgive and to forget
Em G Em
Even if all this is true still you needn't fret
Am Em G Em
Your father may be father to all the boys in town,
Am G N.C. Am
He's not the one who sired you, so marry who 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.