Following some requests for songs suitable for performing or sing-alongs in retirement/nursing homes, I went through all my songs lists and pulled out any that I thought may be relevant (of course this will vary with the age, country etc. of your audience).
Some of the war-era songs are fairly complex, so I’ve focused on the easier ones or just the chorus of better-known ones.
You’ll find several versions of some of the songs, especially if I’ve tried them out in different keys, so you can pick the one that suits your playing or your voice.
The list of songs below does not have links to the song sheets; you can find the songs with links on the following pages:
Songs for Guitar – Alphabetical List
Ukulele Songs – Alphabetical List
Many of these have been written out for guitar and not yet for ukulele or banjo.
You can still use the guitar song sheets for ukulele – just use the chord diagrams from the ukulele chord chart instead of the guitar chord shapes on the song sheet.
Several songs in the list also have banjo versions, but once again if you know the banjo chord shapes, you can play the song from the ‘guitar’ sheet.
If you are really keen for a ukulele or banjo chords version of one of the songs, let me know via the Contact Form at the bottom of the page.
Please let me know if you find any errors or broken links, too!
List of Songs for Oldies –
for guitar, and some for ukulele
and/or banjo:
10 GREEN BOTTLES – G, C, D7, Am – Guitar L.8; Uke L.5; Banjo L.8
500 MILES (Peter, Paul & Mary) – C, Am, Dm, F, G, G7- Guitar L.10; Uke L.4
…………………… A ……………………
ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM – C, Am, Dm, G7, F, Em, D7, C7 – Guitar L.10
ALONG THE ROAD TO GUNDAGAI – Key C; C, F, G7, Am, G, D7, A7, C7, Dm – Guitar L.10
AMAZING GRACE – Key: C; C, F, G7, C7 – Guitar L.9
AULD LANG SYNE – Key: D; D, G, A – Guitar L.11; Uke L.13
AULD LANG SYNE – (version 2) – C, G7, F- Guitar L.7; Uke L.4
…………………… B ……………………
BANANA BOAT SONG (DAY-O) – Key: D; D, A7 – Guitar L.1; Uke L.12
BANANA BOAT SONG (DAY-O) – basic – Key: C; – C, G7 – Uke L.3
BANANA BOAT SONG (DAY-O) – Key: F; F, C7 – Uke L.6
BEAUTIFUL DREAMER – D G, A, A7, Em, E – Guitar L.13; Uke L.17
BEFORE I MET YOU – A, D, E – Guitar L.13
a BICYCLE BUILT FOR TWO – D, G, A, A7, E – Guitar L.13
BLACK VELVET BAND – Irish Rovers – G, C, D7, Em; A, D, E7, F# – Guitar L.16
BLOWIN IN THE WIND – G, C, D, D7, Em – Guitar L.5
BOTANY BAY – Key G; G, C, D7 (Em) – Guitar L.4 (5); Uke L.2 (15); Banjo L.3-5
BYE BYE LOVE – D, A, A7, E7 – Guitar L.12
…………………… C ……………………
CLEMENTINE (OH MY DARLING CLEMENTINE) – Key: C; C, G7 – Uke L.3
CLEMENTINE – Key D; D, A7 – Guitar L.1; Uke L.12; Banjo L.2
CLICK GO THE SHEARS – Key E; E, A, B7 – Guitar L.14
COCKLES AND MUSSELS (MOLLY MALONE) – Key: C; C, Am, G7, Em, Dm – Guitar L.10; Uke L.15
COTTONFIELDS – A, D, E7, A7 – Guitar L.12
COUNTRY ROADS – Key: G; G, C, D, D7, Em, F – Guitar L.7; Uke L.15
COUNTRY ROADS – Key: C; C, F, G, G7, Am, Bb – Guitar L.17; Uke L.7
the COURT OF KING CARACTACUS – Key A; A, D, E7 – Guitar L.12; Uke L.2
…………………… D ……………………
DAISY BELL – A BICYCLE BUILT FOR TWO – D, G, A, A7, E – Guitar L.13
DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY- G, C, Am – Guitar L.8; Uke L.5; Banjo L.8
DO WHAT YOU DO, DO WELL – C, G7, D, A7, E, B7 – Guitar L.14
DOWN IN THE VALLEY – G, D7 – Guitar L.3; Banjo L.3
DREAM (All I Have to do is..) – C, Am, Dm, G7, F, Em, D7, C7 – Guitar L.10
D’YE KEN JOHN PEEL – D, G, A7 – Guitar L.2+; Uke L.12
…………………… G ……………………
the GYPSY ROVER – Key C; C, F, G7, Am – Guitar L.8; Uke L.4
…………………… H ……………………
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Key D/F; D, A7, G / F, C7, Bb – Guitar L.2 /L.17; Uke L.7
HELLO, MARY LOU – Key: C; C, F, G, G7, Am, D, E7 – Guitar L.12; Uke L.14
HELLO, MARY LOU – Key: G; G, C, D, D7, B7, Em, A – Guitar L.14; Uke L.16
HERE WE GO LOOBY-LOO – D, A, E7 – Guitar L.12
HE’S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS – Level 14 – E, B7
HOME ON THE RANGE – simpl. Key D; D, D7, G, A7, Em – Guitar L.5
HOME ON THE RANGE – simpl. Key G; G, D7, C, G7 – Guitar L.6; Uke L.3
HOME ON THE RANGE – simpl.2 – Key G; G, C, D7 – Guitar L.4; Banjo L.3
HOME ON THE RANGE – Key E; E, E7, A, Am, B7, F# – Guitar L.14-16
HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW – Key G; G, D, D7 – Guitar L.3; Uke L.11; Banjo L.4
HUSH LITTLE BABY (MOCKINGBIRD) – Key: D; D, A – Guitar L.1
HUSH LITTLE BABY (MOCKINGBIRD) – Key: D; D, A7 – Uke L.12
HUSH LITTLE BABY (MOCKINGBIRD) – Key: G; G, D7 – Uke L.1
HUSH LITTLE BABY (MOCKINGBIRD) – Key: C; C, G; Banjo L.2
…………………… I ……………………
I AM WEARY, LET ME REST – D1. Cox Family – D, G, A7 – Guitar L.3; Uke L.12; Banjo L.3
I AM WEARY, LET ME REST – G1. Cox Family – G, C, D7 – Guitar L.4; Uke L.2; Banjo L.3
I AM WEARY, LET ME REST – simpl. A, D, E – Guitar L.12
I AM WEARY, LET ME REST – simpl. A, D, E7 – Uke L.14
IF I WERE A CARPENTER – Key: D; D, G, A – Guitar L.11; Uke L.11
IF I WERE A CARPENTER – Key: G; G, D, C – Guitar L.4+; Banjo L.4+
IF I WERE A CARPENTER – Key: C; C, G7, F – Banjo L.4
IF I WERE A CARPENTER – Key: A; A, D, E – Uke L.13
I’LL FLY AWAY – C, F, G, C7 – Guitar L.9
I’LL FLY AWAY – Key: D; D, D7, G, A – Uke L.13
I’LL TELL ME MA – G, D7, C – Guitar L.4; Uke L.2
ISLAND IN THE SUN – D, G, A7, Em, (B7) – Guitar L.5, 14; Uke L.15-16
ISLAND IN THE SUN – G, C, D7, Am, (E7) – Guitar L.8 (12); Uke L.5 (14)
…………………… J ……………………
JAMAICA FAREWELL – A, D, E7 – Guitar L.12
JOHN BROWN’S BODY/MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY – D, A7, G – Guitar L.2
JOHN PEEL (Spinners) – D, G, A7 – Guitar L.2+; Uke L.12
…………………… K ……………………
KING OF THE ROAD – Key: D; D, G, A – Guitar L.11; Uke L.13
KING OF THE ROAD – A, D, E, (Bb, Eb, F) – Guitar L.13 (>18+); Uke L.17
KING OF THE ROAD – E, B/B7, A (>F, C, Bb) – Guitar L.14 (>17)
KUM BA YAH – A, D, E7 – Guitar L.12; Uke L.2
…………………… L ……………………
the LION SLEEPS TONIGHT – Key D; D, A7, G – Guitar L.2; Uke L.4
LOVE ME TENDER – C, D7, G7, E7, Am, F, Fm – Guitar L.16
LOVE POTION NUMBER NINE – Am, Dm, C, E7, B7 – Guitar L.14
…………………… M ……………………
MADEMOISELLE FROM ARMENTIERES (Version 1 – 6 verses) – G, D7; – Guitar L.3; Uke L.1
MADEMOISELLE FROM ARMENTIERES (Version 2G) – G, D7- Guitar L.3; Uke L.1
MADEMOISELLE FROM ARMENTIERES (Version 2C) – C, G7 – Guitar L.6; Uke L.3
MADEMOISELLE FROM ARMENTIERES (Version 2F) – F, C7 – Guitar L.9; Uke L.6
MAGGIE (When You and I Were Young) – (1) D, A7, G, E7, E ; – Guitar L.13
MAGGIE (When You and I Were Young) – (version 2) – D, D7, A, A7, G, E7 – Guitar L.12
MAGGIE (When You and I Were Young) – (version 3) – G, G7, D, D7, C, A7 – Guitar L.6; Uke L.12
MAMA DON’T ‘LOW NO – A, D7, E7 – Guitar L.12; Banjo L.13
MARY MACK – Am, G – Guitar L.8
MOCKINGBIRD (HUSH LITTLE BABY) Key: D; D, A – Guitar L.1
MOCKINGBIRD (HUSH LITTLE BABY) Key: D; D, A7 – Uke L.12
MOCKINGBIRD (HUSH LITTLE BABY) Key: G; G, D7 – Uke L.1
MOCKINGBIRD (HUSH LITTLE BABY) Key: C; C, G – Banjo L.2
MOLLY MALONE (Cockles and Mussels) – C, Am, G7, Em, Dm – Guitar L.10; Uke L.15
MORNINGTOWN RIDE – Key: G; G, G7, C, D, D7, Em, Am – Guitar L.8
MY GRANDFATHER’S CLOCK (1) – C, F, G7 – Guitar L.7; Uke L.4
MY GRANDFATHER’S CLOCK (2a -1 page) – C, F, G7; D, G, A7 – Guitar L.7; Uke L.12
MY GRANDFATHER’S CLOCK (2b -2 pages) – C, F, G7 – Guitar L.7; Uke L.12
MY GRANDFATHER’S CLOCK (3 -2 pages) – C, F, G7, D7, Am; D, G, A7, E7, Bm – Guitar L.15; Uke L.16
…………………… O ……………………
OH SUSANNA – Key: C; C, G7, F – Guitar L.7; Uke L.4
OH SUSANNA – Key: G; G, C, D – Banjo L.1
OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY – C, G7 – Guitar L.6; Uke L.3
…………………… P ……………………
PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES – Key D; Chords: D, G, A – Guitar L.11; Uke L.17
POLLY WOLLY DOODLE – Key G; chords: G, D – Banjo L.1-4
…………………… R ……………………
RIVERS OF BABYLON – C, G, F- Guitar L.7; Uke L.4
the ROAD TO GUNDAGAI – Key: C; C, F, G7, Am, G, D7, A7, C7, Dm – Guitar L.10
ROCK MY SOUL – D, A7- Guitar L.1
RUNNING BEAR – Key G – G, C, D7, A7 – Guitar L.4
RUNNING BEAR – Key C – C, F, G7, D7 – Guitar L.7; Uke L.4
RUNNING BEAR – Key D – D, G, A7, E7- Guitar L.12
…………………… S ……………………
SHE’LL BE COMING ‘ROUND THE MOUNTAIN – Key C; C, G7, F – Guitar L.7; Uke L.4
SHORTNIN’ BREAD – Key: G; G, D7 – Guitar L.3; Uke L.1
SIDE BY SIDE – C, F, G7, Dm, A7, D7, E7 – Guitar L.12; Uke L.14
SIDE BY SIDE – G, C, D7, Am, E7, A7, B7 – Guitar L.14; Uke L.16
SLOOP JOHN B – Key C – C, C7, G, G7, F, Fm – Guitar L.16; Uke L.17+
SLOOP JOHN B – Key A – A, E, E7, D, Dm – Guitar L.13
SLOOP JOHN B – Key G – G, D, D7, C, Cm – Guitar L.17+; Uke L.17+
SMILE THE WHILE/TILL WE MEET AGAIN (1. Simpl.) – Key C; C, G7, F, D7, A7 – Guitar L.7; Uke L.12
SMILE THE WHILE/TILL WE MEET AGAIN (2) – Key C; C, G7, F, D7, A7, Am, Dm, G, C7– Guitar L.10; Uke L.12
STEWBALL – G, Am, Em, D7, C – Guitar L.8
STREETS OF LAREDO, the – G, D7 – Guitar L.3; Uke L.1
STREETS OF LONDON, the – C, F, G7, G, D7, Em, Am – Guitar L.8
SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT – Key: C (easy): C, G7, – Guitar L.6; Uke L.3
SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT – Key: C: C, G7, F- Uke L.4
…………………… T ……………………
TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS – Key G- G, C, D, D7, Em, F – Guitar L.7; Uke L.15
TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS – Key C – C, F, G, G7, Am, Bb – Guitar L.17; Uke L.7
TEN GREEN BOTTLES – Key: G; G, C, D7, Am – Guitar L.8; Uke L.5; Banjo L.8
THERE’S A HOLE IN MY BUCKET – Key: D; D, A7, G – Guitar L.2
THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY – Key: C; C, G7 – Guitar L.6; Uke L.3
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND – Key G; G, C, D7, G7 – Guitar L.6
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND – Key C; C, G7, F, C7 – Guitar L.9
THIS OLD MAN – Key G; G, D7, C – Guitar L.4
THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’ – G, C, D, D7, Em – Guitar L.5
THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’ – G, C, D, D7, Em, Am – Guitar L.8
TILL WE MEET AGAIN/ SMILE THE WHILE (1. Simpl.) – C, G7, F, D7, A7 – Guitar L.7; Uke L.12
TILL WE MEET AGAIN/ SMILE THE WHILE (2) – C, G7, F, D7, A7, Am, Dm, G, C7 – Guitar L.10; Uke L.12
TOM DOOLEY Key: D; D, A7- Guitar L.1; Uke L.3
…………………… U ……………………
UNDER THE BOARDWALK – G, D, D7, G7, C, Em – Guitar L.6; Uke L 15
UP ON THE ROOF – C, Am, F, G – Guitar L.8; Uke L.5
…………………… W ……………………
WALTZING MATILDA – Key: G; G, D7, C, Em – Guitar L.5; Uke L.4
WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED – C, G7, G, F, C7, E, Am – Guitar L.13
WHEN I’M 64 – C, G, F, C7, Fm, A, D7, G7, Am – Guitar L.16
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING – D, D7, A, A7, G, E, E7, B7, Bm, F#m – Guitar L.16
WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN – Key: G; G, D7, C (G7) – Guitar L.4; Uke L.2-3
WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN – Key: A; A, A7, D, (E7) – Guitar L.12; Uke L.14
WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE? – G, Em, C, D7- Guitar L.5
WHERE, OH WHERE HAS MY LITTLE DOG GONE? – Key C; C, G, G7 – Guitar L.6; Uke L.3; Banjo L.6
WHERE, OH WHERE HAS MY LITTLE DOG GONE? – Key G; G, D, D7 – Guitar L.3; Uke L.11; Banjo L.4
the WHISTLING GYPSY ROVER – Key C; C, F, G7, Am – Guitar L.8; Uke L.4
WILD MOUNTAIN THYME -Corries – C, G, F, Em, Am, Dm – Guitar L.10; Uke L.15
WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN – D, D7, G, A – Guitar L.11
WILL YE GO, LASSIE, GO? / WILD MOUNTAIN THYME – C, G, F, Em, Am, Dm – Guitar L.10; Uke L.15
WORRIED MAN BLUES (1. Carter Family) – A, D, E – Guitar L.13; Uke L.14
WORRIED MAN BLUES (2.) – A, A7, D, E – Guitar L.13; Uke L.14
…………………… Y ……………………
YELLOW SUBMARINE – Key G – G, D7, C – Guitar L.4; Uke L.2
…………………………………………
Cathy's Chords 