Lead Me, Father Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Lead Me, Father in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: F – C – F – C
Lead Me, Father sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIVCIFIVCI
- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
384 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Waltz climb
Three notes up the chord, one per beat: a gentle waltz climb. Musicians call it broken chord 1-3-5 (3/4) (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 248 songs of the library.
Waltz climbBroken chord · WaltzLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Waltz bells
A single high note, then two chords: ding, dong, dong in three. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Waltz bellsBlock chords · WaltzRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 120 BPM
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
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
- GG · B · D

What chords are in Lead Me, Father?

The loop is F – C – F – C (IV – I – IV – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is Lead Me, Father in?

C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in Lead Me, Father?

Waltz climb: broken chord 1-3-5 (3/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Lead Me, Father 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.