Mama Said
View chords used in this chart
Eb Bb
Mama said that it was okay
Dm7 Gm
Mama said that it was quite alright
Dm7 Gm
Our kinda people had a bed for the night
F
and it was okay
Eb Bb
Mama said that we were good kids
Dm7 Gm
and daddy told us never listen to the ones
Dm7 Gm
pointing nasty fingers and making fun
F
'cause we were good kids
Gm
Remember asking both my mom and dad
Bb
Why we never travel to exotic lands
Gm
We only ever really visit friends
Bb
Nothing to tell when the summer ends
Gm
We never really went buying clothes
Eb Bb
'cause folks were passing on the stuff in plenty loads
Gm
New shoes once a year and then
Bb
Out to play ball so we could go in them
Eb Bb
When mama said that it was okay
Dm7 Gm
Mama said that it was quite alright
Dm7 Gm
Our kinda people had a bed for the night
F
and it was okay
Eb Bb
Mama told us we were good kids
Dm7 Gm
and daddy told us never listen to the ones
Dm7 Gm
pointing nasty fingers and making fun
F
'cause we were good kids
Gm
Don't get me wrong, I didn't have it bad
(Eb) Bb
I got enough loving from my mom and dad
Gm
But I don't think they really understood
(Eb) Bb
When I said that I wanted to deal in Hollywood
Gm
I told 'em I'd be singing on tv
(Eb) Bb
The other kids were callin' me a wannabe
Gm
The older kids they started bugging me
(Eb) Bb
But now they're all standing right in front of me
Eb Bb
When mama said that it was okay
Dm7 Gm
Mama said that it was quite alright
Dm7 Gm
Our kinda people had a bed for the night
F
and it was okay
Eb Bb
Mama told us we were good kids
Dm7 Gm
and daddy told us never listen to the ones
Dm7 Gm
pointing nasty fingers and making fun
F
'cause we were good kids
Gm Dm
I know which place im from
Eb Bb
I know my home
Gm C
When Im in doubt and struggling
Eb Bb
thats where I'll go
Gm C
An old friend can give advice
Eb Bb
when new friends only know the half story
Gm Am
That's why I always keep 'em tight
Eb
And while you're okay
F
I said I'm okay
(You know what my mama said? You know what she told me?)
Eb Bb
When mama said that it was okay
Dm7 Gm
Mama said that it was quite alright
Dm7 Gm
Our kinda people had a bed for the night
F
and it was okay
Eb Bb
Mama told us we were good kids
Dm7 Gm
and daddy told us never listen to the ones
Dm7 Gm
pointing nasty fingers and making fun
F
'cause we were good kids
How to play Mama Said
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 Eb. 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.