Give Me That Old Time Religion guitar chords
An 1873 revival song built for singing together.
At a glance
- Key G
- Time 4/4
- Level Easy
- Chords G, C, D
Why this song is worth learning
A spiritual with a cheerful, singable melody and three easy chords. It is a good early song for keeping a steady strum while you sing.
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 |
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
| Chorus | G | G | G | G | D | D | G | G |
|---|---|
| Verse | G | G | C | C | G | D | G | G |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
D DU D DU
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 until they ring cleanly.
- Play D DU D DU on G, then C, then D.
- Sing the first line while you strum to match words and chords.
- Play at 100 beats per minute, and move slowly through the changes.
Tips that matter
- Sing and play. Singing the melody helps you keep the strum in time.
- Keep the beat. Let the strum carry the beat, even if a change is slow.
Questions about Give Me That Old Time Religion
What chords are in Give Me That Old Time Religion?
G, C and D, all in the key of G major.
What time signature is Give Me That Old Time Religion 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 Give Me That Old Time Religion free to learn and share?
Yes. Traditional spiritual, published in 1873 and in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.