# Guitar/song examples/Campfire Diploma/The Cockoo

< Jump between Em-D and Am-G

# The Cuckoo

Old English folk song (before 1800) – Alternative title: "The Coo-Coo", "The Coo-Coo Bird", "The Cuckoo Bird", "The Cuckoo Is A Pretty Bird" etc., Text and melody: trad. in a version by Mjchael, arranged by Mjchael

## Guitar
## Ukulele (adf#h)

| Em | D |
This song has been interpreted countless times in many text versions. It is usually sung about a fickle lover who is just as unreliable (literally fickle) as a cuckoo.
In the USA, a gambler is something of a prime example of an unreliable lover. It is therefore not surprising that the verses have been rearranged accordingly. In the version presented here, the story of a gambler whose luck has run out is retold. Joan Baez, Donovan, Bob Dylan, Peter Paul and Mary are just some of the many performers. The melody is always sung slightly differently from performer to performer. Some even vary the melody from verse to verse. Therefore, only a very simplified form is shown here.

## Chorus

Oh the [Em]cuckoo she'a pretty bird, She [D]wobbles as she [Em]flies, She don't [Em]never holler cuckoo, 'Til the [D]fourth day of [Em]July.

## 1st

Gonna build me log cabin, on the [D] mountain so [Em]high, So that I can see Willie, As [D]he goes on [Em]by.

## 2nd

Jack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds, I [D]know you of [Em]old
You done robbed my poor pockets, of my [D]silver and [Em]gold.

## 3th

I've gambled in England, and I've [D]gambled down in [Em]Spain. I bet you ten dollars, I'll [D]beat you [Em]again

## 4th

I gambled with five aces, now I've [D]gambled my last [Em]game. Oh, it's gamblin' that's brought me prison, and the [D]gamblin' brought me [Em]pain

## 5th

In the cell I'm godforsaken, and I'm [D]wasting all my [Em]time Here I'll never see a cuckoo or [D]hear her song [Em]again

## Weblinks

* YT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A14DVost2w Live performance in the Irish-Pup
* YT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrDO3r0ZGlA Blue grass version with banjo
* YT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAjc3KpTAxU Band version R'n'B

## Song Examples:
### (7) Jump between Em-D and Am-G

In this lesson, the leap Em-D and Am-G are practiced and repeated, as well as songs with irregular and long chord sequences and songs that were skipped in previous lessons.
* Hey Ho, Nobody Home
* Spancil Hill
* Star Of The County Down
* Carrickfergus
* Jingle Bells
* My Bonny 3/4-beat
* Ox-Driving Song
* Roter Mond (German scout song)
* Kling Glöckchen (Christmas song)
* The Cockoo
* She Moved Through The Fair
* The Foggy Dew
* YT COUNTRY ROADS (John Denver) G- Em- D- C G (2x) G- D- Em- C- / G- D- C- G-
* YT Father and Son (Cat Stevens) //G D Em C / G Em C D// oder //G D C Am / G Em Am (C) D// almost always, only at the end of "son" (C D) G C G C
* YT Good Riddance/Time of your Life (Green Day) G G C D (2x) Em D C G - Em G Em G - Em D G
* YT Heroes (David Bowie) D G D G C G Am Em D C G D...
* YT I’M Just More (Wonderwall) Em----/ C G Em D (2x) / Ref: C Em D- (2x)/ Bridge: Em / C G Em D / C G D- Original in A (Capo 2. fret)
* YT Lady in Black (Uriah Heep) Em--- D- Em- (can alternatively be played with Am--- G- Am-.)
* YT Let it Be (Beatles) G D Em C / G D C G // Em D C G / D D C G
* YT Living on a Prayer (Bon Jovi) Em - C D
* YT Numb (Linkin Park) Em C G D (ohne Bridge)
* YT Mad World(Tears for Fears / Gary Jules) //:Em G D A ://
* YT Marry You (Bruno Mars) D - Em - G - D -
* YT 99 red balloons (Nena) D Em G A Possibly with capo on the 2nd fret; always the same chord sequence, one bar per chord (only between the verses 2x A)
* YT Take it easy (Eagles)
* YT Through Glass (Stone Sour) C D Em -
* YT Über den Wolken (Reinhard Mey) G - Am - D - G - "und dann" C - G - D D7 G - (Pay particular attention to the pauses when singing!)
* YT Westerland (Die Ärzte) {G 6x D -}2x C - Em -; C - D -(7); {G D Em C}3x (without bridge) end: G D Em C; Am D7 C D7; Am D7 C D7 G
* YT What's Up (Four Non Blondes) //:G Am C G:// (Capo=1) (DD 1)
* YT Wind Of Change (Scorpions) Original in C major! Intro: C Am C Am, Em Am Em D G Verse: //:G Am G Am Em D :// Chorus: //: G D Am D:// Em C D Bridge: Em D Em D G Am H7 (possibly Em D until you can play B7)
* YT Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton) G D C D (2x) C D G-D Em C D G | C D G-D Em C D C | D G D C D
* YT Zombie (Cranberries) Em C G D