Drunken Sailor guitar chords
A two-chord shanty with the strongest beat on the site.
At a glance
- Key Am
- Time 4/4
- Level Easy
- Chords Am, G
Why this song is worth learning
A sea shanty in a marching rhythm with only two chords. It is one of the easiest ways to play with a steady four-beat drive.
The chords, as shapes
| Chord | Frets (low E to high e) |
|---|---|
| Am | x 0 2 2 1 0 |
| G | 3 2 0 0 0 3 |
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 | Am | Am | G | G | Am | Am | G | Am |
|---|---|
| Chorus | Am | Am | G | G | Am | G | Am | Am |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
D D D D (marching)
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 Am and G, and practise the change between them.
- Play four down-strums on each bar, keeping the rhythm even.
- Count four beats per bar and keep your foot tapping.
- Play at 100 beats per minute, and sing the chorus to keep the pace.
Tips that matter
- March it. Four even down-strums feel like marching, so keep them equal.
- Change on the one. Move to the new chord on beat one of the next bar.
Questions about Drunken Sailor
What chords are in Drunken Sailor?
Am and G, all in the key of A minor.
What time signature is Drunken Sailor in?
4/4, with four beats per bar. It is rated Easy.
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 Drunken Sailor free to learn and share?
Yes. Traditional sea shanty, in print by 1824 and in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.