Mary Contrary
View chords used in this chart
Intro: C C/E Dm G
Am D C Dm A
Mary, oh Mary, so quite contrary,
D C Dm A
How does your garden grow?
A D C
These silver bells and cockle shells
Dm A
And pretty men all in our room,
D C
When you see contrary Mary,
D Am
Told her eye, refuse to terry.
D C
We spoke very soft and slow
Dm
Without your pretty men, Mary,
A
Standing in a row.
D C Dm A
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary.
D C A# C (Guitar Solo)
D C
A# C
D
Smoke a high cool cigarette,
C
Turn around and then we left,
Smiling as the way began to grow,
C
We got your pretty men all in a row.
Dm
Mary, Mary, so quite contrary,
C
How does your garden grow?
A#
These silver bells and cockle shells
A
And pretty men all in our room,
A (keep repeating A)
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary.
When you see contrary Mary,
Told her eye, refuse to terry.
We spoke very soft and slow,
Am
We got your pretty men standing in a row.
Am
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, (keep repeating and playing Am)
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary. Mary, Mary,
D C
(Instrumental before ending)
Dm D G C Dm D C
Dm A Am D
Am C D A Am D
C Dm
D A
C Dm
D A
D C A# C D
Am C A#
C A#
C D Am
How to play Mary Contrary
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.