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Bing Crosby - McNamara’s Band Ukulele Chords

ChordsC, F, G
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

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
AlbumSingle
GenresPop
Year1945
KeyC
DifficultyEasy

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

Bing Crosby - McNamara's Band on ukulele 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

Switching from C to F:

  1. While playing C, lift your ring finger from A string fret 3.
  2. Place index finger on E string fret 1.
  3. Place middle finger on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 18 times.

C to F

2. C → G chord transition

Here's how to move from C to G:

  1. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
  2. Place index finger on C string fret 2.
  3. Place middle finger on A string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 11 times.

C to G

3. F → G chord transition

Here's how to move from F to G:

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

This transition appears in the interlude, played 7 times.

F to G

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 Ukulelearn.
  • McNamara's Band contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how McNamara's Band connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After C, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → G: 35%
    • C → F: 16%
    After F, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (40%), G (21%), and Am (11%).
    • F → C: 40%
    • F → G: 21%