Cathy's Chords
- songs for guitar, ukulele & banjo
Lyrics and chords to old folk songs and favourites from the 50's on.
Learn-to-play acoustic guitar and ukulele tips for beginners... and some banjo as well.
Songs for "Old Folks"
Songs for "Old Folks"
Following a couple of requests for songs suitable for performing or sing-alongs in "Old Folk's" Homes or nursing homes, I've gone through all my songs lists and pulled out any that I think may be relevant (of course this will vary with the age, country etc. of your audience). I've marked the songs I think are the real "oldies" in bold, but many of the others may also be familiar.
The links to the song sheets are not in the list below; you can find them on the following pages:
- Guitar Songs List - all titles in alphabetical order, with updated links
- Guitar Songs - by Level - all titles in level order, with updated links
- Ukulele Songs - basics, all titles in level order, with updated links
- Ukulele Songs List - all titles in alphabetical order, with updated links
- Banjo Songs - all titles in level order, with updated links
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. If you are really keen for a ukulele version of one of the songs, let me know via the Facebook page or via the form at the bottom of the page. Please let me know if you find any errors or broken links, too!
Several songs in the list also have banjo versions, but once again if you know the banjo chords for any song, you can play it from the 'guitar' sheet.
I have been gradually adding new 'oldies' songs and ukulele versions, and I may have more to add in future. 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.
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List of Songs for Oldies - for guitar, and some for ukulele and/or banjo:
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
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
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
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
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 (Spinners) - D, G, A7 - Guitar L.2+; Uke L.12
the GYPSY ROVER - Key C; C, F, G7, Am - Guitar L.8; Uke L.4
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 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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
YELLOW SUBMARINE – Key G - G, D7, C - Guitar L.4; Uke L.2
