Scrump - - you wrote 'Beginners also usually don't know that many chords, so an Am7 or D9 or the like is a complete mystery.
If you see a chord like that, that you don't know, try substituting the 'plain' chord instead, e.g. Am instead of Am7, just for the purpose of learning the song. It won't sound exactly the same, but it will usually do to get you started.'


The original question was about being asked for the chords. If the beginner / novice / expert had the chords in front of them they wouldn't be asking for them – would they?

I cannot (mostly) busk on the fly but given time can usually work out something that works. My father (who died at 94yrs) was still playing until his death and could pick up any (I mean ANY) instrument and knock out a tune, Scotland the Brave, Grandfathers Clock etc. BUT, he could not tell me what chords to play, he just didn't understand the concept of chords. He just 'felt' the instrument. (This was wind, stringed, piano, accordion, concertina, harmonica etc). One of my brothers has the same ability, one cannot carry a tune in a bucket.
Point is, all of us enjoyed family singarounds.

If someone needs help – give it. I thought music was about pleasure and you do not have to be a maestro to enjoy it.

I recently had a mental block and could not fathom simple chords for a Bogle song. PEACE provided a start and when I spoke to Eric Bogle via email he himself admitted he couldn't remember the chords and had failed to work them out immediately. And as he said – he WROTE it.
I believe, as you stated, it is an inherent ability more pronounced in some than others. Be grateful, but don't knock those less fortunate! (Last sentence not aimed at SCRUMP)