My Mother Said
View chords used in this chart
Capo 1
Intro: Em Am D (2x)
Em Am D Em
My mother said “I gained a friend
Em Am D Em
At the end of the heart to heart.”
Em Am D Em
My mother asked, “Will you be fine
Em Am D Em C Em Bm C
With the choices you make in your life?”
C G
And you pick me up,
C G
And you hold me close,
C G
And you show the way,
Am G
And you let me go.
Em Am D Em
My father said, “Use your head,
Em Am D Em
The guys upstairs, they just don’t care.”
Em Am D Em
My father asked, “Will you be safe
Em Am D Em C Em Bm C
When you are always so far away?”
C G
And you pick me up,
C G
And you hold me close,
C G
And you show the way,
Am G
And you let me go.
C G C
I let the light into my life,
C G C
Close my eyes before I die.
C G
And you let me go,
C Am G
And you sent me off –
C Em D
Into the sky,
D Am Em
Always believe in me, always beside me.
Em D C
I’ve come this far and I'll be going
G C
Farther than the stars.
C G
And you pick me up,
C G
And you hold me close,
C G
And you take my hand,
C G
And you watch me grow,
C G
And you show the way,
C G
And you let me go.
C G C
I let the light into my life,
C G C
Close my eyes before I die.
C G
And you let me go.
Em Am D Em
My mother said “I gained a friend
How to play My Mother 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 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.