Mrs Mcgrath
View chords used in this chart
Intro: Em
VERSE
Em G D
"Mrs McGrath," the sergeant said, "would you like a soldier of your son Ted?"
D Em
Scarlet coat, a big cocked hat, Mrs. McGrath would you like that?"
Em G D
Mrs. McGrath lived on the shore and after seven years or more
D Em
She spotted a ship come into the bay with her son from far away
Chorus (2x)
Em G D
Too-rai-eh-ful-diddly-eh, too-rai-loo-rai-loo-rai-eh
D Em
Too- rai-eh-ful-diddly-eh, too-rai-loo-rai-loo-rai-eh
Em G D
"Captain dear, where have you been, sailing the Mediterranean?
D Em
Have you news of my son Ted? Is he living or is he dead?"
Em G D
Then Teddy boy came out with no legs and in their place, two wooden pegs
D Em
She kissed him a dozen times or two and said, "My God Ted is it you?"
Chorus (2x)
Em G D
Too-rai-eh-ful-diddly-eh, too-rai-loo-rai-loo-rai-eh
D Em
Too- rai-eh-ful-diddly-eh, too-rai-loo-rai-loo-rai-eh
INTERLUDE: Bm-D-A-Bm (2x) Em-G-D-Em (2x)
Em G D
"Were you drunk or were you blind, when you left your two fine legs behind?
D Em
Or was walking upon the sea that tore your two fine legs from thee?"
Em G D
"No I wasn't drunk and I wasn't blind when I left my two fine legs behind.
D Em
A cannonball on the fifth of May tore my two fine legs away."
Chorus (2x)
Em G D
Too-rai-eh-ful-diddly-eh, too-rai-loo-rai-loo-rai-eh
D Em
Too- rai-eh-ful-diddly-eh, too-rai-loo-rai-loo-rai-eh
Solo: Em
Em G D
"Teddy boy," the widow cried, "your two fine legs were your mother's pride.
D Em
Stumps of a tree won't do at all, you should've run from the cannonball."
Em G D
"All foreign wars," I do proclaim, "live on blood and a mother's pain.
D Em
I'd rather my boy as he used to be then the king of the west and his navy."
Chorus (2x)
Em G D
Too-rai-eh-ful-diddly-eh, too-rai-loo-rai-loo-rai-eh
D Em
Too- rai-eh-ful-diddly-eh, too-rai-loo-rai-loo-rai-eh
OUTRO: Bm-D-A-Bm (2x) Em-G-D-Em (4x)
How to play Mrs Mcgrath
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 Em. 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.