Piano chords · Dreamy ballad
How to play Ferry ’cross The Mersey on piano
Written by Gerrard Marsden
- C major
- 4/4
- 100 BPM
- I–v–I–v loop
- 1964
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Ferry ’cross The Mersey in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – Gm – C – Gm
How it goes
Ferry ’cross The Mersey sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Gm is G, Bb and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIGmvCIGmv- CC · E · G
- GmG · Bb · D
- 2
Left hand: Dip-and-back bounce
How it goes
The root twice, a dip down on beat 3, and right back up on beat 4. Musicians call it broken chord 8-8-5-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 188 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 100 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
- 5
Ending: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
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Questions about Ferry ’cross The Mersey
What chords are in Ferry ’cross The Mersey?
The loop is C – Gm – C – Gm (I – v – I – v) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Ferry ’cross The Mersey in?
C major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Ferry ’cross The Mersey?
Dip-and-back bounce: broken chord 8-8-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Ferry ’cross The Mersey easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.