Mandarin Oranges
View chords used in this chart
Intro: C G/B Am G C G/B Am G
verse 1
C G/B Am Dm
At a table in Juarez a woman named Dolores is drinking
G C
I see the tear in her eye and I like to pretend what she's thinking
F Am G
She's dreaming of Goimar and a cottage for two by the sea
Dm G C G/B Am G
And mandarin oranges and Mexican lemongrass tea
verse 2
C G/B Am Dm
I married Dolores twenty-one years ago, Sunday
G C
And Dolores she left me twenty-one years ago, Monday
F Am G
I remember the laughter and the last midnight feast by the sea
Dm G C Dm
Of mandarin oranges and Mexican lemongrass tea
Bridge
F Am G
And I think of her often, my friends ask what she means to me
Dm G C G/B Am G
I say, mandarin oranges and Mexican lemongrass tea
Interlude
C G/B Am G C G/B Am G C G/B Am G
verse 3
C G/B Am Dm
Back here in Juarez, I work at my job, waiting tables
G C
And I long to go speak to her, somehow I don't think I'm able
F Am G
But afraid she will know me as I ask her, what shall it be
Dm G C Dm
She smiles, mandarin oranges and Mexican lemongrass tea
Bridge
F Am G
We should return to Goimar and the cottage for two by the sea
Dm G C
And the mandarin oranges and Mexican lemongrass tea
Outro
C G/B Am G C G/B Am G C G/B Am C
How to play Mandarin Oranges
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 C. 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.