Little Joe
View chords used in this chart
Afinação: E A D G B ETecla: ACapotraste:
2nd traste
originally by Bill Monroe, now covered by Mighty Poplar
https://youtu.be/xQ-kxkDP8H0
[Banjo intro]
G C G D
G C G D G
[Verse]
G C G
What will the birds do, mother, in the spring
G D
Will they gather the crumbs 'round our door
G C
Will they fly from the nest in the top of the tree
G D G
And ask why Joe wanders out no more
G C G
What will kitten do, mother, all alone
G D
Will he stray from his frolic for a day
G C
Will he lie on the rug beside my bed
G D G
Like he did before I went away
[Fiddle break]
G C G D
G C G D G
[Verse]
G C G
And what will Thomas, the old gardener do
G D
When you ask him for flowers for me
G C
Will he give you a rose he has tended with care
G D G
The fairest of that lot 'round the tree
G C G
I saw the tears coming to his honest eyes
G D
He said it was the wind that brought them there
G C
As he gazed on my cheeks growing paler each day
G D G
His hand trembled over my hair
[Guitar break]
G C G D
G C G D G
[Verse]
G C G
Won't you keep Tag, mother, my little dog
G D
So blind and helpless, it's true.
G C
Treat him with kindness the older he grows
G D G
Sleepin' the whole summer thru.
G C G
Show him my coat, mother, so he may know
G D
That his master then will be dead
G C
Talk to him kindly and often of Joe
G D G
And pat him on his brown shaggy head
[Mando break]
G C G D
G C G D G
[Banjo break]
G C G D
G C G D G
G C G
And you, dearest mother, shall miss me a while
G D
But in heaven I shall no larger grow
G C
And many a kind angel you meet at the gates
G D G
Can take you to your darling Little Joe
How to play Little Joe
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.