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Papa's Old Pocket Watch chords by
Boxcar Willie
Boxcar Willie
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Key: Ab major•
Verse 1
Ab
Ab
4

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The funeral was over,

and the family had gathered around the old home place.

There was a sadness and stillness over the farm,

Gb
Gb
2

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Ab
Ab
4

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because we all missed my papa's
Db
Db
4

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Ab
Ab
4

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Db
Db
4

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smiling face.
Ab
Ab
4

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Eb
Eb
6

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Ab
Ab
4

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My mother walked over to

the mantel and got

Papa's old pocket watch.

She said, here son,

your dad wanted you to have this old watch.

It's not worth much, but it still runs.
Ab
Ab
4

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A tear came to my eyes,
Ab
Ab
4

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Eb
Eb
6

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Ab
Ab
4

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I stood there holding that old old watch
Eb
Eb
6

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Ab
Ab
4

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Cause I noticed something very strange,

by every number there'd been carved a notch

A smile came across my mother_
Ab
Ab
4

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's face torn with strife
Eb
Eb
6

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Ab
Ab
4

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She said your papa

put those notches

there, son
Db
Db
4

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Eb
Eb
6

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You see, that was his way
Ab
Ab
4

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of marking events

that he liked best in his life
Db
Db
4

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Ab
Ab
4

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G
G

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You see that notch by the one
Ab
Ab
4

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He put it there the day we were wed,
Db
Db
4

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Ab
Ab
4

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Eb
Eb
6

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Ab
Ab
4

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and that notch by the two, why son, that's the very

notch that represents you.

The notch by the three, four, five,
Ab
Ab
4

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and six was carved when your brothers and sister_ s
Ab
Ab
4

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were born and he put a notch by the sev_
Ab
Ab
4

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en when we bought this old place here from

Mr.

Horn
Ab
Ab
4

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Ab
Ab
4

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and he carved a notch by the eight that was the

day that you started the school
Ab
Ab
4

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and he carved a notch by the nine the day
Ab
Ab
4

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you married your own precious jew_ el
Ab
Ab
4

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Eb
Eb
6

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An_ d he carved a notch by the 10 when he saw
Ab
Ab
4

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Ab
Ab
4

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his first grand_ child that he so ad_ mired.
Db
Db
4

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Eb
Eb
6

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And he put a notch by the 11 just a few
Ab
Ab
4

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short years ago when he retired.
Ab
Ab
4

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Db
Db
4

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Now your papa always said the twelve
Eb
Eb
6

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Ab
Ab
4

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was reserved for him after he was laid to rest.
Db
Db
4

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Ab
Ab
4

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Eb
Eb
6

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So you see son, that was his way of marking
Ab
Ab
4

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Ab
Ab
4

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event_ s in his life that he liked best.

And so, there is twelve notches
Eb
Eb
6

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Ab
Ab
4

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on that old watch today.

And it hangs over a picture of my papa,

smiling in that old familiar way.
Ab
Ab
4

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But oh, how wrong you were, mom,
Eb
Eb
6

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Ab
Ab
4

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when you handed me papa's old pocket watch and said

It's not worth much,
Ab
Ab
4

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but it's still right.

Thank

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An acoustic guitar head with tuning pegs

Open Tuner
Chords

  • Ab

    4

  • Gb

    2

  • Db

    4

  • Eb

    6

  • G

Capo: 1

Transpose: 0

0

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Frequently asked questions

What is the original key of Papa's Old Pocket Watch?

The original key of Papa's Old Pocket Watch by Boxcar Willie is Ab major.

What are the main chords for Papa's Old Pocket Watch?

The primary chords used in Papa's Old Pocket Watch are Ab, Gb, Db, Eb, G.

Do I need a capo to play Papa's Old Pocket Watch?

To play in the original key, place your capo on the 1 fret.

Is Papa's Old Pocket Watch beginner-friendly on guitar?

Yes, this version uses open chords like Ab, Gb, Db, Eb, making it a great song for beginner guitarists.

What is the tempo (BPM) of Papa's Old Pocket Watch?

The tempo of Papa's Old Pocket Watch is approximately 71 beats per minute.

How do I transpose the chords for Papa's Old Pocket Watch?

You can easily change the key of Papa's Old Pocket Watch using our Transpose button located in the toolbar. This will automatically update all chord diagrams on the page to match your new key.

Can I print the guitar chords for Papa's Old Pocket Watch?

Yes! Click the Print icon to generate a clean, one-page version of the chords and lyrics for Papa's Old Pocket Watch. This is perfect for practicing offline or adding to a physical songbook.

Is there a tuner available for Papa's Old Pocket Watch?

Yes, we have integrated a Mini-Tuner directly on this page. Use it to quickly check your string pitch (Standard Tuning: E A D G B E) before you start playing along with Boxcar Willie.

Can I save Papa's Old Pocket Watch to play later?

Absolutely. Click the Save or Heart icon to add Papa's Old Pocket Watch to your account. You can access all your saved songs under My Library at any time.

Can I access the guitar chords for Papa's Old Pocket Watch for free?

You can view the full chord sheet and lyrics for Papa's Old Pocket Watch by Boxcar Willie on this page for free. We provide high-quality, verified chords to help you start playing immediately.