Cat Stevens - Father And Son
Hello! Below you'll find my "Father And Son" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by Cat Stevens is so touching, there is a lot of emotion just built into the chord progression and melody. Also, it's fairly easy to learn and play.
Enjoy!
Father And Son Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Father And Son:
Father And Son Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| G G/C | X4
| G G/C | X4
[Verse 1 (father)]
G Bm7 C Am7
It's not time to make a change, just relax, take it easy
G Em
You're still young, that's your fault
Am D
There's so much you have to know
G Bm7 C Am7
Find a girl, settle down, if you want, you can marry
G Em Am D
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy
G D
I was once like you are now
G Bm7 C Am7
Find a girl, settle down, if you want, you can marry
G Em Am D
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy
G D
I was once like you are now
C Am7
And I know that it's not easy
G Em Am D
To be calm when you've found something going on
G D
But take your time, think a lot, why
G Em Am D
To be calm when you've found something going on
G D
But take your time, think a lot, why
C Am7
Think of everything you've got
G Em
For you will still be here tomorrow
G Em
For you will still be here tomorrow
D (G)
But your dreams may not
| G G/C | X2
[Verse 2 (son)]
G Bm7 C
How can I try to explain? 'cause when I do
Am7
He turns away again
G Em Am7 D
It's always been the same, same old story
G Bm7 C Am7
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen
G Em D G
Now there's a way, and I know that I have to go away
D C (G)
I know I have to go
G Em Am7 D
It's always been the same, same old story
G Bm7 C Am7
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen
G Em D G
Now there's a way, and I know that I have to go away
D C (G)
I know I have to go
| G G/C | X2
[Solo]
| G D | C Am7 | G Em |Am D |
| G D | C Am7 | G Em |D G - -|
| 3/4 D - C | G G/C | G G/C |
| G D | C Am7 | G Em |Am D |
| G D | C Am7 | G Em |D G - -|
| 3/4 D - C | G G/C | G G/C |
[Verse 3 (father)]
G D
It's not time to make a change
C Am7
Just sit down and take it slowly
G Em
You're still young, that's your fault
G Em
You're still young, that's your fault
Am
There's so much you
D
Have to go through
G D C Am7
Find a girl, settle down, if you want, you can marry
G Em Am D
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy
G D C Am7
Find a girl, settle down, if you want, you can marry
G Em Am D
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy
[Verse 4 (son)]
G Bm7
All the times that I've cried
C Am7
Keeping all the things I knew inside
G Em Am D
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it
G Bm7
If they were right, I'd agree
G Em Am D
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it
G Bm7
If they were right, I'd agree
C* Am7
But it's them they know, not me now
G Em D G
There's a way, and I know that I have to go away
D C G
I know I have to go
G Em D G
There's a way, and I know that I have to go away
D C G
I know I have to go
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Father And Son Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Father And Son" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Father And Son" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
