Tennessee
View chords used in this chart
On the verses, strike the bass string on the first beat
and on the second beat just strum the chord. The G and
D/F# get two beats and the Em gets four beats. The chorus
timing goes: Am four beats; D four beats; B7 four beats;
Em two beats; D two beats; Am four beats; D four beats;
then it goes back to the verse.
G D/F# Em
I SEE THE CANDLE A BURNIN'
G D/F# Em
FROM MY CABIN IN THE WOODS
G D/F# Em
BUT SEE I WOULD HAVE BET ON SOONER
G D/F# Em
BUT MY PRIDE, DIDN'T THINK THAT I SHOULD
G
OH...OH...OH D/F# Em
G D/F# Em
OH...OH...OH
G D/F# Em
WELL I FOUGHT, GOOD AND HARD
G D/F# Em
FOR--OOOOR TENNESSEE
G D/F# Em
IT'S BEEN FOUR LONG LONELY YEARS
G D/F# Em
WOULD THE FOLKS BACK HOME STILL REMEMBER ME
G
OH...OH...OH D/F# Em
G D/F# Em
OH...OH...OH
(chorus)
D C G Gsus G
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME AND I'M COMING HOME
D C G Gsus G
I FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT BUT THE AGGIES WON
Am D
AND I WISH I WAS BACK HOME, SITTIN' UNDER THE OLD SHADE TREE
B7 Em D
WITH MY WIFE AND FAMILY
Am D G D/F# Em
BACK HOME, IN TENNESSEE
G D/F# Em
G D/F# Em
I RODE WITH STONEWALL JACKSON
G D/F# Em
WE FOUGHT SIDE BY SIDE
G D/F# Em
HE SAID SON THERE'S A BETTER DAY COMIN'
G D/F# Em
STILL AINT THOUGHT THAT MANY DIED
G D/F# Em
OH...OH...OH
G D/F# Em
OH...OH...OH
D C G Gsus G
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME AND I'M COMIN' HOME
D C G Gsus G
I FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT BUT THE AGGIES WON
Am D
AND I WISH I WAS BACK HOME, SITTIN' UNDER THE OLD SHADE TREE
B7 Em D
WITH MY WIFE AND FAMILY
Am D G D/F# Em
BACK HOME, IN TENNESSEE
G D/F# Em
TENNESSEE
G D/F# Em
TENNESSEE
How to play Tennessee
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is G. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.