Rosemary Lane Chords

KeyBm CapoNone TuningStandard Difficulty Plays522

Rosemary Lane by Bert Jansch is a moderately challenging guitar song played in the key of Bm. It uses the chords Bm, D, A and E. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.

Transpose
Bm
Text
16
Speed
  			

     Bm        D          A        Bm 
When I was in service in Rosemary Lane, 
   Bm          D          A              E 
I won the good will of my master and did I, 
        Bm          D         A            Bm 
'Til a sailor came there one night for to lay, 
     Bm            D          A       E 
And that was the beginning of my misery. 

   
He asked for a lantern to light him to bed, 

And likewise a silk handkerchief to tie up his head, 
     
To tie up his head as sailors will do, 

And he said my pretty Polly won't you come too? 


Now this maid be young and foolish she thought it no harm, 

To lie into bed for to keep herself warm, 

And what was done there I will never disclose, 

But I wish that short night had been seven long years. 


Next morning this sailor so early arose, 

And into my apron three guineas did throw, 

Saying this I will give and more I will do, 

If you'll be my Polly wherever I go. 


And if its a boy he will fight for the king, 

And if its a girl she will wear a gold ring, 

Wear a gold ring and a dress all aflame, 

And remember my service in Rosemary Lane. 


When I was in service in Rosemary Lane, 

I won the good will of my master and did I, 

'Til a sailor came there one night for to lay, 

And that was the beginning of my misery.  
    	

Chord diagrams

Guitar tuner

--
Start the tuner and play a string

Reference tones

Standard tuning, lowest to highest. Click a string to play it; the string the mic hears is highlighted.

Click Start tuner and allow microphone access. The needle centers and turns green when a string is in tune (within 5 cents).
No microphone? You can still tap any string above to hear its exact reference pitch.

Metronome

100 BPM Andante