The Doughnut Song - Burl Ives

The Doughnut Song

View chords used in this chart
Standard EADGBe Tuning
 
Intro:
| D - | D - | A - | A - |
 
D
When you walk the streets you'll have no cares
A
If you walk the lines and not the squares
D
As you go through life make this your goal
A D
Watch the donut, not the hole
 
| D - | D - | A - | A - |
 
D
It's written on the rainbow
G D
In letters made of gold
G D
Written on the rainbow
A
There's wisdom to behold
D
My friend the little sparrow
G D
Flew close enough to see
G D
Written on a rainbow
A D
Is this philosophy
 
D
When you walk the streets you'll have no cares
A
If you walk the lines and not the squares
D
As you go through life make this your goal
A D
Watch the donut, not the hole
 
| D - | D - | A - | A - |
 
D
It's written on the rainbow
G D
In letters made of gold
G D
Written on the rainbow
A
There's wisdom to behold
D
My friend the little sparrow
G D
Agrees it must be so
G D
Little angels wrote it
A D
So folks on earth would know
 
D
When you walk the streets you'll have no cares
A
If you walk the lines and not the squares
D
As you go through life make this your goal
A D
Watch the donut, not the hole
 
KEY CHANGE to Eb
 
| Eb - | Eb - | Ab - | Eb - |
| Ab - | Eb - | Eb - | Bb - |
| Eb - | Eb - | Ab - | Eb - |
| Ab - | Eb - | Bb - | Eb - |
 
Eb
When you walk the streets you'll have no cares
Bb
If you walk the lines and not the squares
Eb
As you go through life make this your goal
Bb Eb
Watch the donut, not the hole
Bb Eb
Watch the donut, not the hole
 
KEY CHANGE to F
 
| F - | F - | C - | C - |
 
F
I'm off to jolly England
Bb F
Where bulldogs all wear pants
Bb F
Off to Pago Pago
C
Where alligators dance
F
My friend the little sparrow
Bb F
Will take me where he flies
Bb F
Even to the rainbow
C F
To read with my own eyes
 
F
When you walk the streets you'll have no cares
C
If you walk the lines and not the squares
F
As you go through life make this your goal
C F
Watch the donut, not the hole
 
| F - | F - | C - | C - |
 
F
It's written on the rainbow
Bb F
In letters made of gold
Bb F
Written on the rainbow
C
There's wisdom to behold
F
My friend the little sparrow
Bb F
Flew close enough to see
Bb F
Written on a rainbow
C F
Is this philosophy
 
F
When you walk the streets you'll have no cares
C
If you walk the lines and not the squares
F
As you go through life make this your goal
C F
Watch the donut, not the hole
C F
Watch the donut, not the hole

How to play The Doughnut Song

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 D. 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.

More chords by Burl Ives

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