Danny Boy guitar chords
The Londonderry Air with Weatherly's 1913 words. A slow, moving melody.
At a glance
- Key G
- Time 4/4
- Level Harder
- Chords G, C, D, Em, Am, D
Why this song is worth learning
A slow, emotional ballad built on a traditional Irish melody. It is a step up in difficulty because the changes come slowly and need to sound smooth.
The chords, as shapes
| Chord | Frets (low E to high e) |
|---|---|
| G | 3 2 0 0 0 3 |
| C | x 3 2 0 1 0 |
| D | x x 0 2 3 2 |
| Em | 0 2 2 0 0 0 |
| Am | x 0 2 2 1 0 |
| D | x x 0 2 3 2 |
x means do not play that string, 0 means play it open. Tap any shape on the page to hear it.
Play along
Press play. The track counts you in, clicks the beat and lights up the chord you should be holding. Drop the tempo while you are learning and raise it once you can get through without stopping.
Chord order
| Verse | G | G | C | G | G | Em | Am | D |
|---|---|
| Chorus | G | C | G | Em | Am | D | G | G |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
D - DU - D - DU (slow)
D is a down-strum and U is an up-strum. If the pattern feels like too much at first, play one down-strum per bar until the chord changes are comfortable, then add the rest.
How to learn it
- Learn G, C and D, then Em, Am and D.
- Play the slow D - DU - D - DU pattern on G, leaving the gaps open.
- Practise the change from G to Em, and from Am to D.
- Play one verse at 80 beats per minute, then build up to the full song.
Tips that matter
- Let the chords ring. Ballads depend on sustain, so hold each chord fully before the next.
- Play softly. Quiet playing makes a slow melody sound more tender.
Questions about Danny Boy
What chords are in Danny Boy?
G, C, D, Em, Am and D, all in the key of G major.
What time signature is Danny Boy in?
4/4, with four beats per bar. It is rated Harder.
How fast should I practise it?
The play-along is set to 100 beats per minute. Start slower while you learn the changes, then raise the tempo in small steps once you can play through without stopping.
Is Danny Boy free to learn and share?
Yes. Melody is the traditional Londonderry Air; lyrics by Frederic Weatherly, 1913. Public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.