He's Got the Whole World in His Hands guitar chords
A traditional spiritual that moves between two easy chords, with C as a gentle third.
At a glance
- Key G
- Time 4/4
- Level Easy
- Chords G, D, C
Why this song is worth learning
A spiritual built on three easy chords and a repeated melody. It is a good first song for practising a driving strum.
The chords, as shapes
| Chord | Frets (low E to high e) |
|---|---|
| G | 3 2 0 0 0 3 |
| D | x x 0 2 3 2 |
| C | x 3 2 0 1 0 |
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 | D | D | D | D | G | G |
|---|---|
| Bridge | G | G | C | C | G | D | G | G |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
D DU DU 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, D and C until each rings cleanly.
- Play D DU DU DU on G, then the same strum on D and C.
- Practise the change from G to D, which is the most common move.
- Play at 100 beats per minute, and keep the strum going through every change.
Tips that matter
- Strum with purpose. The DU DU DU pattern works best when the strum is smooth and even.
- Ease off the repeats. Lighten the strum on the repeated lines.
Questions about He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
What chords are in He's Got the Whole World in His Hands?
G, D and C, all in the key of G major.
What time signature is He's Got the Whole World in His Hands 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 He's Got the Whole World in His Hands free to learn and share?
Yes. Traditional spiritual, in print by 1927 and in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.