Bing Crosby - McNamara’s Band Chords

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.

OhmyCnameisMcNamaraI’mtheleaderoftheband

AndFthoughwe’resmallinCnumberwe’retheGbestbandintheland

CIamtheconductorandIalwaysliketoplay

WithFallthegoodCmusicionersyouGhereaboutCtoday.

WhentheCdrumsgobangandthecymbalsclangandthehornsallblazeaway

FMcCarthypuffstheColdbassoonandGDoylethepipeswillplay

CHennessey,Tenancytootlestheflutemewordit’ssomethinggrand

AFcredittooldCIrelandboysisGMcNamara’sCband.

CFGCCFGC

CWheneveranelection’sonweplayoneitherside

TheFwayweplaythoseCfineoldairesfillGIrishheartswithpride

IfColdTomMoorewaslivingnowhe’dmakeyouunderstand

AndFsaythere’snothingfinerthanoldGMacNamara’sCband.

WhentheCdrumsgobangandthecymbalsclangandthehornsallblazeaway

FMcCarthypuffstheColdbassoonandGDoylethepipeswillplay

CHennessey,Tenancytootlestheflutemewordit’ssomethinggrand

AFcredittooldCIrelandboysisGMcNamara’sCband.

CFGCCFGC

WeCplayatwakesandweddingsandateverycountyball

AndFatthegreatman’sCfuneralweGplayedthemarchinSoul

WhentheCPrinceofWalestoIrelandcameheshookmebythehand

AndFsaidthere’snothingCfinerthanoldGMacNamarasband.

WhentheCdrumsgobangandthecymbalsclangandthehornsallblazeaway

FMcCarthypuffstheColdbassoonandGDoylethepipeswillplay

CHennessey,Tenancytootlestheflutemewordit’ssomethinggrand

AFcredittooldCIrelandboysisGMcNamara’sCband.

CFGCCFGC

ArtistBing Crosby

AlbumSingle

GenresPop

Year1945

KeyC

DifficultyIntermediate

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

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 18 times.

2. 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.

This transition appears in the verse, played 11 times.

3. F → G chord transition

To move from F to G:

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

This transition appears in the interlude, played 7 times.

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%