Peter, Paul and Mary - Lemon Tree Chords

ChordsC, G7, F, C7

Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

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,E keys to play this song with easier chords.

WhenCIwasG7justaCladoften,myfatherG7saidtoCme,

“ComehereandG7takeaClessonfromtheG7lovelylemonCtree.”

“Don’tFputyourC7faithinFlove,myboy,”myfatherC7saidtoFme,

“Ifearyou’llC7findthatFloveislikethelovelyC7lemonFtree.”

LemonCtree,verypretty,andthelemonflowerisG7sweet,

ButthefruitofthelemonisimpossibletoCeat.

LemonCtree,verypretty,andthelemonflowerisG7sweet,

ButthefruitofthelemonisimpossibletoCeat.

OneCday G7beneaththeClemontree,myloveandG7IdidClie,

AgirlsoG7sweetthatCwhenshesmiled,thestarsroseG7intheCsky.

WeFpassedthatC7summerFlostinlove,beneaththeC7lemonFtree,

ThemusicC7ofherFlaughterhidmyfather’sC7wordsfromFme.

LemonCtree,verypretty,andthelemonflowerisG7sweet,

ButthefruitofthelemonisimpossibletoCeat.

LemonCtree,verypretty,andthelemonflowerisG7sweet,

ButthefruitofthelemonisimpossibletoCeat.

OneCdaysheG7left Cwithoutaword,shetook G7awaytheCsun.

AndintheG7darksheCleftbehind,IknewwhatG7shehadCdone.

SheFleftmeC7for Fanother,it’sacommonC7talebutFtrue,

AsadderC7man,butFwisernow,IsingtheseC7wordstoFyou.

LemonCtree,verypretty,andthelemonflowerisG7sweet,

ButthefruitofthelemonisimpossibletoCeat.

LemonCtree,verypretty,andthelemonflowerisG7sweet,

ButthefruitofthelemonisimpossibletoCeat.

ArtistPeter, Paul and Mary

AlbumPeter, Paul and Mary

GenresFolk, Pop

Year1962

KeyC

DifficultyAdvanced

How to play Lemon Tree on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Peter, Paul and Mary - Lemon Tree on guitar requires 4 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.

Lemon Tree uses these transitions most often: C → G7 (18), G7 → C (18), and C7 → F (12). 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 - G7 chord transition.

1. C → G7 chord transition

Switching from C to G7:

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 1.

This transition appears in the verse, played 18 times.

2. C → F chord transition

Here's how 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.

This transition appears in the verse, played 3 times.

3. F → C7 chord transition

To move from F to C7:

Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on B string fret 1.
Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.
Lift your pinky from D string fret 3 and place it on G string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 12 times.

Lemon Tree chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Lemon Tree.

Lemon Tree includes 66 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
Lemon Tree contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
These transition patterns show how Lemon Tree 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 → F: 16%
- C → G7: 2%
After G7, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (69%), C7 (5%), and F (5%).
- G7 → C: 69%