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Bing Crosby - McNamara’s Band Chords

DATA-DRIVENWhich Chord Comes Next?Learn the most likely chord transitions on guitar and start playing songs with confidence.
ChordsC, F, G
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,G keys to play this song with easier chords.

  • Guitar C chord diagram Fingering: x-3-2-0-1-0Guitar C chord diagram
  • Guitar F chord diagram Fingering: 1-3-3-2-1-1 Barre at fret 1.Guitar F chord diagram
  • Guitar G chord diagram Fingering: 3-2-0-0-0-3Guitar G chord diagram

[Opening]
Oh my [C]name is McNamara I’m the leader of the band
And [F]though we’re small in [C]number we’re the [G]best band in the land
[C]I am the conductor and I always like to play
With [F]all the good [C]musicioners you [G]here about [C]today.

[chorus]
When the [C]drums go bang and the cymbals clang and the horns all blaze away
Mc[F]Carthy puffs the [C]old bassoon and [G]Doyle the pipes will play
[C]Hennessey, Tenancy tootles the flute me word it’s something grand
A [F]credit to old [C]Ireland boys is [G]McNamara’s [C]band.

[interlude]
[C][F][G][C][C][F][G][C]

[verse 2]
When[C]ever an election’s on we play on either side
The [F]way we play those [C]fine old aires fill [G]Irish hearts with pride
If [C]old Tom Moore was living now he’d make you understand
And [F]say there’s nothing finer than old [G]MacNamara’s [C]band.

[chorus]
When the [C]drums go bang and the cymbals clang and the horns all blaze away
Mc[F]Carthy puffs the [C]old bassoon and [G]Doyle the pipes will play
[C]Hennessey, Tenancy tootles the flute me word it’s something grand
A [F]credit to old [C]Ireland boys is [G]McNamara’s [C]band.

[interlude]
[C][F][G][C][C][F][G][C]

[Closing]
We [C]play at wakes and weddings and at every county ball
And [F]at the great man’s [C]funeral we [G]played the march in Soul
When the [C]Prince of Wales to Ireland came he shook me by the hand
And [F]said there’s nothing [C]finer than old [G]MacNamaras[C]band.

[chorus]
When the [C]drums go bang and the cymbals clang and the horns all blaze away
Mc[F]Carthy puffs the [C]old bassoon and [G]Doyle the pipes will play
[C]Hennessey, Tenancy tootles the flute me word it’s something grand
A [F]credit to old [C]Ireland boys is [G]McNamara’s [C]band.

[outro]
[C][F][G][C][C][F][G][C]

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SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookDiscover the most-used three-chord combinations in songs and build real command on guitar.
14,015 TRANSITIONS ANALYZED#1 at 23%: Which Transition?Master guitar today with the most repeated high-impact chord transitions.
ArtistBing Crosby
AlbumSingle
GenresPop
Year1945
KeyC

How to play McNamara's Band on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Bing Crosby - McNamara's Band 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.

McNamara's Band uses these transitions most often: C → F (18), G → C (18), and C → G (11). 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 - F chord transition.

1. C → F chord transition

Guitar C chord diagram Fingering: x-3-2-0-1-0Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar F chord diagram Fingering: 1-3-3-2-1-1 Barre at fret 1.Guitar F chord diagram

To move from C to F;

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

2. C → G chord transition

Guitar C chord diagram Fingering: x-3-2-0-1-0Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar G chord diagram Fingering: 3-2-0-0-0-3Guitar G chord diagram

To move from C to G;

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

3. F → G chord transition

Guitar F chord diagram Fingering: 1-3-3-2-1-1 Barre at fret 1.Guitar F chord diagram
Guitar G chord diagram Fingering: 3-2-0-0-0-3Guitar G chord diagram

To move from F to G;

  1. While playing F, lift your pinky from D string fret 3.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
  3. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
  4. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
F to G

McNamara's Band chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in McNamara's Band.

  • McNamara's Band includes 65 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • McNamara's Band contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how McNamara's Band 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 F, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (40%), G (21%), and Am (11%).
    • F → C: 40%
    • F → G: 21%
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookThe 200 most popular three-chord chains from real songs. See which songs use each chain and expand your repertoire with patterns that actually matter.