R.E.M. - Old Man Kensey: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "Old Man Kensey" on your guitar with our detailed chord guide and lyrics. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.

Learn Old Man Kensey Guitar Chords and Lyrics by R.E.M.

This section will guide you through each part of the song, providing the guitar chords placed directly above the lyrics for easy playing. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, these elements will help you perform "Old Man Kensey" smoothly on your guitar.

For easier playing, use our Simplify Chords feature to remove difficult chords like barre.

Bm
Old man Kensey
Wants to be a sign painter
First, he's got to learn to read
He's going to be a clown on TV
Flexes his elbow, taut and free
(That's my folly) I believe

Chorus:
Em  A           Em
   Drink up the lake
 A         Em
Kensey's awake
               A
(If that's my folly)
Em            A
That's my mistake

Old man Kensey
Wants to be a goalie
First, he's got to learn to count
He's going to be a clown on a circus mount
Letters to me signed in sopped up tar
(That's my folly) Kensey's going far

Chorus:
John, Bill and Ed
Stand on your head
(If that's my folly)
I'm ready to go

F#              E
Whoa-hoah-hoah-oh
(If you sing my song, I'll sing it)
F#              E
Whoa-hoah-hoah-oh
(If you sing my song, I'll sing it)
F#              E
Whoa-hoah-hoah-oh
(If you sing my song, I'll sing it)
F#              E
Whoa-hoah-hoah-oh

Old man Kensey
Wants to be a dog catcher
First, he's got to learn to stand
He's gonna be a clown in a marching band
Letters to me signed, ransom, greed
(If that's my folly) I believe

Chorus:
Drink up the lake
John, Bill and Ed
(If that's my folly)
That's my mistake
Kensey's awake
Stand on your head
(If that's my folly)
I'm ready to go

Drink up the lake
Stand on your head
(If that's my folly)
I'm ready to go


You can simplify chords by removing barre

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Simplify chords by removing barre

Guitar Chord Diagrams

A

Guitar chord A

E

Guitar chord E

Em

Guitar chord Em

F#

Guitar chord F#

Bm

Guitar chord Bm

Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably.

If you are also interested in learning how to play "Old Man Kensey" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Old Man Kensey" by R.E.M..

R.E.M. Song List