MAMA KNOWS THE HIGHWAY (recorded
View chords used in this chart
[Actually in A; capo 2.]
[Each chord is one measure, except two chords joined by a hyphen are one
measure total. (Em - D, G - G/F#, C - G/B, G - D)]
[The chords with * have that little mandolin part with F# and G notes.]
G* C* G* Em - D G* C* G* Em - D
[intro]
G C G G
Mama knows the highway by the songs
G G D D
When she hears a good one, she always sings along
G C G G
She don't ever worry 'bout what's gone
G G D G G
She says, "good country music will never steer you wrong"
G C G G
She talks to the truckers with her lights
G A D D
Maybe just a little bit more on Saturday nights
G C G G
She knows a good road to paradise
G D G G
And that's just enough to keep the highway bright
C C G* G*
Yeah, Mama knows the highway now by heart
G - G/F# Em D D
She can see the rain before it starts
G C/G G C/G
Looking clear through a windshield full of stars
G D G* C* G* Em - D
Mama knows the highway now by heart
G C G G
She can tell Wyoming by the wind
G G G D D
She can tell another trucker by the rig that he's in
G C G G
She knows how to watch the river bends
G D G G
She knows where the real South begins
Well, Mama knows the highway now by heart
She can see the rain before it starts
Looking clear through a windshield full of stars
Mama knows the highway now by heart
G C G G G G D D
[guitar solo]
G C G G G D G G
[piano solo]
C - G/B Am G - D C
She can gauge a cafe just by looking at the sign
A7 A7 C C D D
Little old places always share the grand design
Mama knows the highway now by heart
She can see the rain before it starts
Looking clear through a windshield full of stars
G D Em* Em*
Mama knows the highway now by heart
G D G* C* G* Em - D
Mama knows the highway now by heart
G* C* G* Em - D
Mama knows the highway, yeah, yeah yeah
G* C* G* Em - D
[instrumental; repeat and fade]
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Adam Schneider schn0170@maroon.tc.umn.edu Minneapolis, MN
Mail me if you want guitar chords for Mary-Chapin Carpenter,
Indigo Girls, Suzanne Vega, Lucinda Williams, etc.
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How to play MAMA KNOWS THE HIGHWAY (recorded
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 A. 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.