Partly based on the nursery rhyme "Sing A Song Of Sixpence", the song includes John's own creations: the Duchess of Kirkaldy and the King of Marigold. Kirkaldy is in Fife, Scotland, and the Beatles played there at the Carlton Theatre on October 5, 1963, just as Beatlemania was breaking - "A Hard Day's Write" by Steve Turner
Chords: EADGBe (Great song for a 12-string guitar)
G ........ 320003
Am....... xx2210
F.......... x03211 or 133211
Em....... 022000
Em/7.... 021000
Em7..... 020000
Em7*... 022030
Em6..... 042000
Em6*... 022020
A7........ x02020
C7........ x32310
Steps to play verses (Key is to keep 3rd (ring) finger on A string while changing chords):
* Form Em with 2nd finger on D sting and ring finger on A string.
* Slide 2nd finger to 1st fret while keeping ring finger anchored on 2nd fret to form Em/7.
* Raise 2nd finger, keeping ring finger anchored on 2nd fret to form Em7.
* Without lifting 3rd finger, slide it to 4th fret while dropping 1st finger down on 2nd fret of D string.
* Without lifting 3rd (ring) finger, slide to 3rd fret to form a C7 chord.
* Play G chord and repeat above.
* Note: to get a slightly different sound on the last line of each verse I like to play the Em7* by sliding back to an Em and dropping my pinky on the 3rd fret of the B string. Then slide pinky to 2nd fret while holding the Em shape to play the Em6*.
Strum Pattern for Verses: dudu for Em-Em/7-Em7-Em6-Em7*-Em6*
dd for C7-G
Strum Pattern for Chorus: d dud for G-F
d d for Am-G-A7
d udud for Em
Cry Baby Cry - The Beatles
INTRO:
G Am
Cry baby cry
F G
make your mother sigh
Em A7 F
she's old enough to know better
VERSE 1:
Em Em/7 Em7
The King of Marigold was in the kitchen
Em6 C7 G
cooking breakfast for the Queen.
Em Em/7
The Queen was in the parlour
Em7* Em6* C7
playing piano for the children of the King . . .
CHORUS:
G Am
Cry baby cry
F G
Make your mother sigh
Em A7
She's old enough to know better
F G
So cry baby cry.
VERSE 2:
Em Em7
The King was in the garden
Em7 Em6 C7 G
picking flowers for a friend who came to play.
Em Em/7
The Queen was in the playroom
Em7* Em6* C7
painting pictures for the children's holiday . . .
CHORUS
VERSE 3:
Em Em/7 Em7
The Duchess of Kirkaldy always smiling
Em6 C7 G
and arriving late for tea.
Em Em/7
The Duke was having problems
Em7* Em6* C7
with a message at the local bird and bee . . .
CHORUS
VERSE 4:
Em Em/7 Em7
At twelve o'clock a meeting round the table
Em6 C7 G
for a seance in the dark.
Em Em/7
With voices out of nowhere
Em7* Em6* C7
put on specially by the children for a lark . . .
CHORUS TWICE (end on Em)
"Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."
This is a good one shug,
One of Lennon's haunting strangely beautiful songs. I'll be trying this out very soon.
Chris.
The guitar is all right John but you'll never make a living out of it! (John Lennon's Aunt Mimi)
Thanks Chris for your words of encouragement! I hope the Em7, Em/7, Em6, etc. doesn't "put off" the newer guitar players. If one can play an Em and follow the steps above, it is much easier than it looks.
"Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."
Good job shug! :wink:
Dan
"The only way I know that guarantees no mistakes is not to play and that's simply not an option". David Hodge
Thanks Chris for your words of encouragement! I hope the Em7, Em/7, Em6, etc. doesn't "put off" the newer guitar players. If one can play an Em and follow the steps above, it is much easier than it looks.
This is one of the first songs I learned except I had to cheat on the C7, and, the strumming pattern was different. If you've seen the lesson for "Julia" John does something like this again - EM, EM7, EM6 and EM5 (I think). Love it!
Bob Jessie
Hi shug,
Didn't get to play it when I said but tried it just now. I just love that Em chord sequence, and so easy too. I just fell into the groove as I played it. Another to add to my "Yeah!I can play John Lennon & the Beatles list"
Thanks again for this one shug really well described for the fingering.
Chris
The guitar is all right John but you'll never make a living out of it! (John Lennon's Aunt Mimi)
