Fairport Convention - Sailor’s Alphabet Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to A,D,G keys to play this song with easier chords.
[Opening]
[C] [G] [C]
[C]A’s for the anchor that [F]lies at our [C]bow;
[F]B’s for the bowsprit and the [C]jibs all [G]lie [C]low
[C]C’s for the [G]capstan we [F]all run [C]around;
D’s for the davits to [G]lower the boat [C]down
[chorus]
[C]Merrily, merrily, so [F]merry sail [C]we
No [G]mortal on earth like a sailor at [C]sea
[C]Heave away, [G]haul away, the [F]ship rolls [C]along
Give a sailor his grog and there’s [G]nothing goes [C]wrong
[verse 2]
[C]E’s for the ensign that [F]at our peak [C]flew;
[F]F’s for the forecastle, where [C]lives our [G]wild [C]crew
[C]G’s for the [G]galley where the [F]salt junk smells [C]strong;
And H is the [G]halyards, we hoist with a [C]song
[chorus]
[C]Merrily, merrily, so [F]merry sail [C]we
No [G]mortal on earth like a sailor at [C]sea
[C]Heave away, [G]haul away, the [F]ship rolls [C]along
Give a sailor his grog and there’s [G]nothing goes [C]wrong
[verse 3]
[C]I’s for the eyebolts, [F]no good for the [C]feet;
[F]J’s for the jibs hoist, stands [C]by the [G]lee [C]sheet
[C]K’s for the [G]knightheads where the [F]petty officer [C]stands;
L’s for the leeside, [G]not manned by new [C]hands
[chorus]
[C]Merrily, merrily, so [F]merry sail [C]we
No [G]mortal on earth like a sailor at [C]sea
[C]Heave away, [G]haul away, the [F]ship rolls [C]along
Give a sailor his grog and there’s [G]nothing goes [C]wrong
[verse 4]
[C]M’s for the mainmast, it’s [F]stout and it’s [C]strong;
N’s [G]for the needle that never points [C]wrong
[C]O’s for the [G]oars of our [F]old jolly [C]boats;
And P’s for the [G]pinnace that lively do [C]float
[chorus]
[C]Merrily, merrily, so [F]merry sail [C]we
No [G]mortal on earth like a sailor at [C]sea
[C]Heave away, [G]haul away, the [F]ship rolls [C]along
Give a sailor his grog and there’s [G]nothing goes [C]wrong
[verse 5]
[C]Q’s for the quarterdeck where [F]officers [C]stand;
And [G]R’s for the rudder - keeps the ship in com-[C]mand
[C]S is for the [G]stuns’ls that [F]drive her [C]along;
[C]T’s for the tops’ls, to [G]get there takes [C]long
[chorus]
[C]Merrily, merrily, so [F]merry sail [C]we
No [G]mortal on earth like a sailor at [C]sea
[C]Heave away, [G]haul away, the [F]ship rolls [C]along
Give a sailor his grog and there’s [G]nothing goes [C]wrong
[verse 6]
[C]U’s for the uniform, [F]mostly worn [C]aft;
[G]V’s for the vangs running from the main [C]gap
[C]W’s for [G]water, we’re on a [F]pint and a [C]pound;
[C]And X marks the spot where old [G]Stormy was [C]drowned
[chorus]
[C]Merrily, merrily, so [F]merry sail [C]we
No [G]mortal on earth like a sailor at [C]sea
[C]Heave away, [G]haul away, the [F]ship rolls [C]along
Give a sailor his grog and there’s [G]nothing goes [C]wrong
[Closing]
[C]Y’s for yard arm, needs a [F]good sailor [C]man;
[G]Z is for Zoë, I’m her fancy [C]man
Z’s also for [G]zero in the [F]cold winter [C]time;
And now we have brought all the [G]letters in [C]rhyme
How to play Sailor's Alphabet on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Fairport Convention - Sailor's Alphabet on guitar requires 3 chords and 3 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.
Sailor's Alphabet uses these transitions most often: C → G (40), F → C (29), and G → C (27). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with C - G chord transition.
1. C → G chord transition
To move from C to G;
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
2. C → F chord transition
To move from C to F;
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
- Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.
- Place pinky on D string fret 3.
3. G → F chord transition
To move from G to F;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to G string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.
- Place pinky on D string fret 3.
Sailor's Alphabet chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Sailor's Alphabet.
- Sailor's Alphabet includes 125 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- Sailor's Alphabet contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how Sailor's Alphabet connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
- C → G: 35%
- C → F: 16%
After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).- G → C: 25%
- G → F: 9%