Country, Folk

A Pirate Looks at 40 Chords

Jimmy Buffett Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

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Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em

A Pirate Looks at 40 Chords – Guitar

Jimmy Buffett’s classic tale of a weathered sailor reflecting on a life spent outside the mainstream. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Calypso Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a relaxed, laid-back strum to match the storytelling feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call

G D G

Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall

G C

You’ve seen it all, you’ve seen it all

G D G

Watched the men who rode you switch from sails to steam

Verse 2

G C

And in your belly you hold the treasures few have ever seen

G D

Most of ’em dream, most of ’em dream

G C

Yes, I have been drunk now for over two weeks

G D

I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Verse 3

G C

I made enough money to buy Miami

G D G

But I pissed it away so fast, never meant to last

G

Never meant to last

G C

And I have been drunk now for over two weeks

G D

I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Bridge

C G

I go for older women, lived in several houses

D G C G

Might even settle down in Jacksonville if I live that long

C G

But I’m forty now and I know what I know

D G C

I’ve a head full of memories and a head full of rain

Verse 4

G C

Yes, I am a pirate, two hundred years too late

G D G

The cannons don’t thunder, there’s nothin’ to plunder

G C

I’m an over-forty victim of fate

G D

Arriving too late, arriving too late

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, D, G is the core of this song. Practice switching between these three chords smoothly before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "A Pirate Looks at 40"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "A Pirate Looks at 40" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "A Pirate Looks at 40" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "A Pirate Looks at 40"?

It was written by Jimmy Buffett, and released in 1974.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Em

A Pirate Looks at 40 Chords – Ukulele

Jimmy Buffett’s classic tale of a weathered sailor reflecting on a life spent outside the mainstream. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Calypso Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a relaxed, laid-back strum to match the storytelling feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call

G D G

Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall

G C

You’ve seen it all, you’ve seen it all

G D G

Watched the men who rode you switch from sails to steam

Verse 2

G C

And in your belly you hold the treasures few have ever seen

G D

Most of ’em dream, most of ’em dream

G C

Yes, I have been drunk now for over two weeks

G D

I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Verse 3

G C

I made enough money to buy Miami

G D G

But I pissed it away so fast, never meant to last

G

Never meant to last

G C

And I have been drunk now for over two weeks

G D

I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Bridge

C G

I go for older women, lived in several houses

D G C G

Might even settle down in Jacksonville if I live that long

C G

But I’m forty now and I know what I know

D G C

I’ve a head full of memories and a head full of rain

Verse 4

G C

Yes, I am a pirate, two hundred years too late

G D G

The cannons don’t thunder, there’s nothin’ to plunder

G C

I’m an over-forty victim of fate

G D

Arriving too late, arriving too late

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, D, G is the core of this song. Practice switching between these three chords smoothly before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "A Pirate Looks at 40"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "A Pirate Looks at 40" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "A Pirate Looks at 40" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "A Pirate Looks at 40"?

It was written by Jimmy Buffett, and released in 1974.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Em

A Pirate Looks at 40 Chords – Piano

Jimmy Buffett’s classic tale of a weathered sailor reflecting on a life spent outside the mainstream. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Calypso Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a relaxed, laid-back strum to match the storytelling feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call

G D G

Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall

G C

You’ve seen it all, you’ve seen it all

G D G

Watched the men who rode you switch from sails to steam

Verse 2

G C

And in your belly you hold the treasures few have ever seen

G D

Most of ’em dream, most of ’em dream

G C

Yes, I have been drunk now for over two weeks

G D

I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Verse 3

G C

I made enough money to buy Miami

G D G

But I pissed it away so fast, never meant to last

G

Never meant to last

G C

And I have been drunk now for over two weeks

G D

I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Bridge

C G

I go for older women, lived in several houses

D G C G

Might even settle down in Jacksonville if I live that long

C G

But I’m forty now and I know what I know

D G C

I’ve a head full of memories and a head full of rain

Verse 4

G C

Yes, I am a pirate, two hundred years too late

G D G

The cannons don’t thunder, there’s nothin’ to plunder

G C

I’m an over-forty victim of fate

G D

Arriving too late, arriving too late

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, D, G is the core of this song. Practice switching between these three chords smoothly before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "A Pirate Looks at 40"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "A Pirate Looks at 40" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "A Pirate Looks at 40" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "A Pirate Looks at 40"?

It was written by Jimmy Buffett, and released in 1974.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Em

A Pirate Looks at 40 Chords – Banjo

Jimmy Buffett’s classic tale of a weathered sailor reflecting on a life spent outside the mainstream. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Calypso Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a relaxed, laid-back strum to match the storytelling feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call

G D G

Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall

G C

You’ve seen it all, you’ve seen it all

G D G

Watched the men who rode you switch from sails to steam

Verse 2

G C

And in your belly you hold the treasures few have ever seen

G D

Most of ’em dream, most of ’em dream

G C

Yes, I have been drunk now for over two weeks

G D

I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Verse 3

G C

I made enough money to buy Miami

G D G

But I pissed it away so fast, never meant to last

G

Never meant to last

G C

And I have been drunk now for over two weeks

G D

I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Bridge

C G

I go for older women, lived in several houses

D G C G

Might even settle down in Jacksonville if I live that long

C G

But I’m forty now and I know what I know

D G C

I’ve a head full of memories and a head full of rain

Verse 4

G C

Yes, I am a pirate, two hundred years too late

G D G

The cannons don’t thunder, there’s nothin’ to plunder

G C

I’m an over-forty victim of fate

G D

Arriving too late, arriving too late

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, D, G is the core of this song. Practice switching between these three chords smoothly before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "A Pirate Looks at 40"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "A Pirate Looks at 40" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "A Pirate Looks at 40" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "A Pirate Looks at 40"?

It was written by Jimmy Buffett, and released in 1974.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em

A Pirate Looks at 40 Chords – Mandolin

Jimmy Buffett’s classic tale of a weathered sailor reflecting on a life spent outside the mainstream. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Calypso Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a relaxed, laid-back strum to match the storytelling feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call

G D G

Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall

G C

You’ve seen it all, you’ve seen it all

G D G

Watched the men who rode you switch from sails to steam

Verse 2

G C

And in your belly you hold the treasures few have ever seen

G D

Most of ’em dream, most of ’em dream

G C

Yes, I have been drunk now for over two weeks

G D

I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Verse 3

G C

I made enough money to buy Miami

G D G

But I pissed it away so fast, never meant to last

G

Never meant to last

G C

And I have been drunk now for over two weeks

G D

I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Bridge

C G

I go for older women, lived in several houses

D G C G

Might even settle down in Jacksonville if I live that long

C G

But I’m forty now and I know what I know

D G C

I’ve a head full of memories and a head full of rain

Verse 4

G C

Yes, I am a pirate, two hundred years too late

G D G

The cannons don’t thunder, there’s nothin’ to plunder

G C

I’m an over-forty victim of fate

G D

Arriving too late, arriving too late

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, D, G is the core of this song. Practice switching between these three chords smoothly before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "A Pirate Looks at 40"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "A Pirate Looks at 40" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "A Pirate Looks at 40" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "A Pirate Looks at 40"?

It was written by Jimmy Buffett, and released in 1974.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Em

A Pirate Looks at 40 Chords – Harmonica

Jimmy Buffett’s classic tale of a weathered sailor reflecting on a life spent outside the mainstream. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Calypso Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a relaxed, laid-back strum to match the storytelling feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call

G D G

Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall

G C

You’ve seen it all, you’ve seen it all

G D G

Watched the men who rode you switch from sails to steam

Verse 2

G C

And in your belly you hold the treasures few have ever seen

G D

Most of ’em dream, most of ’em dream

G C

Yes, I have been drunk now for over two weeks

G D

I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Verse 3

G C

I made enough money to buy Miami

G D G

But I pissed it away so fast, never meant to last

G

Never meant to last

G C

And I have been drunk now for over two weeks

G D

I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Bridge

C G

I go for older women, lived in several houses

D G C G

Might even settle down in Jacksonville if I live that long

C G

But I’m forty now and I know what I know

D G C

I’ve a head full of memories and a head full of rain

Verse 4

G C

Yes, I am a pirate, two hundred years too late

G D G

The cannons don’t thunder, there’s nothin’ to plunder

G C

I’m an over-forty victim of fate

G D

Arriving too late, arriving too late

Chorus

C

But I’ve got to stop wishin’, got to go fishin’

G

Down to rock bottom again

C G

Just a few friends, just a few friends

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, D, G is the core of this song. Practice switching between these three chords smoothly before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "A Pirate Looks at 40"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "A Pirate Looks at 40" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "A Pirate Looks at 40" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "A Pirate Looks at 40"?

It was written by Jimmy Buffett, and released in 1974.