Feb192022

Morrissey – Papa Jack Chords on Piano & Ukulele

Updated January 8, 2026

ChordsD Dmaj7 Ddim Em Bbdim Bb C F Dm Am Dsus4 Eb

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[Intro]
D    Dmaj7   D    Ddim
D(b5)  Em    Bbdim    D

[Verse 1]
     D
Papa Jack
         Dmaj7
Wants to turn
         D
Back the clock
        Ddim  D(b5)
And reach out
       Em
To the kids
        Bbdim
He once had
         D
Who have flown
     D
Papa Jack
     Dmaj7
In decline
        D
Feels inclined
       Ddim  D(b5)
To reach out
       Em
To the kids
        Bbdim
He once had
         D        D*
Who have flown

[Chorus]
N.C. Bb          C
But  there was a time
         F            Dm
When the kids reached up
    Bb             C            D*
And Papa Jack just pushed them away

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[Interlude]
D    Am    D    Am

[Verse 2]
        D
Looking deep
       Dmaj7
In his heart
     D
Papa Jack
        Ddim  D(b5)
Doesn't like
        Em
What he sees
       Bbdim
Or the time
       D
On his hands
          D
The dying day
           Dmaj7
The chilly sun
     D
Papa Jack
     Ddim  D(b5)
All alone
      Em
Sings slow
Bbdim        D        D*
Grieving and low

[Chorus]
N.C. Bb          C
But  there was a time
         F            Dm
When the kids reached up
        Bb           C            D*
Now you can't always have it your way

Feel free to use our free Chord Shape Generator to see every chord in this song on guitar, ukulele and piano.

[Instrumental]
D  Dsus4  D  Dsus4  D  Dsus4  D  Dsus4
D  Dsus4  D  Dsus4  D  Dsus4  D  Dsus4
D  Dsus4  D  Dsus4  D  Dsus4  D  Dsus4
 D            Dsus4
(Oh, Papa Jaaaack)
 D            Dsus4  D  Dsus4
(Oh, Papa Jaaaack)

[Outro]
F    Eb    Dm    C
Oooo-oo-oo-ooooo-oo-ooo
F    Eb    Dm    C
Oooo-oo-oo-ooooo-oo-ooo
F    Eb    Dm    C
Oooo-oo-oo-ooooo-oo-ooo
F    Eb    Dm    C
Oooo-oo-oo-ooooo-oo-ooo
F    Eb    Dm    C
Oooo-oo-oo-ooooo-oo-ooo
F    Eb    Dm    C
Oooo-oo-oo-ooooo-oo-ooo

How to play Papa Jack: key, chords and progression

These are the chords for Papa Jack by Morrissey on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar, and Keyboard

Papa Jack by Morrissey keeps coming home to E minor (one sharp: F♯). You need 12 chords: D, Dmaj7, Ddim, Em, Bbdim, Bb, C, F, Dm, Am, Dsus4 and Eb.

The backbone of the song is F – Eb – Dm – C (♭II – VII – vii – VI in E minor). Practise these 4 changes until they feel natural and you can play most of it.

Good to know: Ddim, Bbdim, Bb, F and Eb are the tricky part on guitar (barre or movable shapes). Slow the change down until it is clean; on piano and ukulele they are simpler.