TraditionalBeginnerKey of C3 Chords3 min readUpdated
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
C · G · F
Down by the Bay Chords – Guitar
A traditional children’s song with humorous and imaginative verses. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Keep a light, bouncy rhythm to match the playful lyrics.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a goose kissing a moose?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a goose kissing a moose?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 2
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a whale with a polka-dot tail?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a whale with a polka-dot tail?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 3
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 4
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a bear combing his hair?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
[C]Down by the bay, where the [G]watermelons grow
Back to my [C]home, I dare not go
For if I [F]do, my mother will [C]say,
“Did you ever [G]see a bear combing his [C]hair?”
Down by the [G]bay!
[/verse]
Practice tip: The chord progression is the same for every line. Practice the C-F-G-C pattern until you can switch without looking at your fretting hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Down by the Bay"?
You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: C, G and F.
Is "Down by the Bay" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Down by the Bay" in?
It is in the key of C.
Who wrote "Down by the Bay"?
It was written by Traditional.
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
C · G · F
Down by the Bay Chords – Ukulele
A traditional children’s song with humorous and imaginative verses. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Keep a light, bouncy rhythm to match the playful lyrics.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a goose kissing a moose?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a goose kissing a moose?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 2
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a whale with a polka-dot tail?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a whale with a polka-dot tail?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 3
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 4
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a bear combing his hair?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
[C]Down by the bay, where the [G]watermelons grow
Back to my [C]home, I dare not go
For if I [F]do, my mother will [C]say,
“Did you ever [G]see a bear combing his [C]hair?”
Down by the [G]bay!
[/verse]
Practice tip: The chord progression is the same for every line. Practice the C-F-G-C pattern until you can switch without looking at your fretting hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Down by the Bay"?
You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: C, G and F.
Is "Down by the Bay" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Down by the Bay" in?
It is in the key of C.
Who wrote "Down by the Bay"?
It was written by Traditional.
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
C · G · F
Down by the Bay Chords – Piano
A traditional children’s song with humorous and imaginative verses. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Keep a light, bouncy rhythm to match the playful lyrics.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a goose kissing a moose?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a goose kissing a moose?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 2
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a whale with a polka-dot tail?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a whale with a polka-dot tail?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 3
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 4
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a bear combing his hair?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
[C]Down by the bay, where the [G]watermelons grow
Back to my [C]home, I dare not go
For if I [F]do, my mother will [C]say,
“Did you ever [G]see a bear combing his [C]hair?”
Down by the [G]bay!
[/verse]
Practice tip: The chord progression is the same for every line. Practice the C-F-G-C pattern until you can switch without looking at your fretting hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Down by the Bay"?
You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: C, G and F.
Is "Down by the Bay" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Down by the Bay" in?
It is in the key of C.
Who wrote "Down by the Bay"?
It was written by Traditional.
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
C · G · F
Down by the Bay Chords – Banjo
A traditional children’s song with humorous and imaginative verses. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Keep a light, bouncy rhythm to match the playful lyrics.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a goose kissing a moose?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a goose kissing a moose?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 2
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a whale with a polka-dot tail?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a whale with a polka-dot tail?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 3
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 4
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a bear combing his hair?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
[C]Down by the bay, where the [G]watermelons grow
Back to my [C]home, I dare not go
For if I [F]do, my mother will [C]say,
“Did you ever [G]see a bear combing his [C]hair?”
Down by the [G]bay!
[/verse]
Practice tip: The chord progression is the same for every line. Practice the C-F-G-C pattern until you can switch without looking at your fretting hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Down by the Bay"?
You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: C, G and F.
Is "Down by the Bay" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Down by the Bay" in?
It is in the key of C.
Who wrote "Down by the Bay"?
It was written by Traditional.
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
C · G · F
Down by the Bay Chords – Mandolin
A traditional children’s song with humorous and imaginative verses. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Keep a light, bouncy rhythm to match the playful lyrics.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a goose kissing a moose?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a goose kissing a moose?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 2
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a whale with a polka-dot tail?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a whale with a polka-dot tail?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 3
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 4
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a bear combing his hair?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
[C]Down by the bay, where the [G]watermelons grow
Back to my [C]home, I dare not go
For if I [F]do, my mother will [C]say,
“Did you ever [G]see a bear combing his [C]hair?”
Down by the [G]bay!
[/verse]
Practice tip: The chord progression is the same for every line. Practice the C-F-G-C pattern until you can switch without looking at your fretting hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Down by the Bay"?
You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: C, G and F.
Is "Down by the Bay" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Down by the Bay" in?
It is in the key of C.
Who wrote "Down by the Bay"?
It was written by Traditional.
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
C · G · F
Down by the Bay Chords – Harmonica
A traditional children’s song with humorous and imaginative verses. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Keep a light, bouncy rhythm to match the playful lyrics.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a goose kissing a moose?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a goose kissing a moose?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 2
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a whale with a polka-dot tail?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a whale with a polka-dot tail?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 3
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?”
G
Down by the bay!
Verse 4
CG
Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow
C
Back to my home, I dare not go
FC
For if I do, my mother will say,
GC
“Did you ever see a bear combing his hair?”
G
Down by the bay!
Chorus
[C]Down by the bay, where the [G]watermelons grow
Back to my [C]home, I dare not go
For if I [F]do, my mother will [C]say,
“Did you ever [G]see a bear combing his [C]hair?”
Down by the [G]bay!
[/verse]
Practice tip: The chord progression is the same for every line. Practice the C-F-G-C pattern until you can switch without looking at your fretting hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Down by the Bay"?
You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: C, G and F.
Is "Down by the Bay" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.