Michael, Row the Boat Ashore guitar chords
A rowing song from 1867 with a rhythm that teaches itself.
At a glance
- Key C
- Time 4/4
- Level Easy
- Chords C, F, G, Am, Em
Why this song is worth learning
A spiritual with a call-and-response feel and five easy chords. It teaches you to keep a steady beat while the melody moves around you.
The chords, as shapes
| Chord | Frets (low E to high e) |
|---|---|
| C | x 3 2 0 1 0 |
| F | 1 3 3 2 1 1 |
| G | 3 2 0 0 0 3 |
| Am | x 0 2 2 1 0 |
| Em | 0 2 2 0 0 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 | C | F | C | Am | C | F | C | G |
|---|---|
| Chorus | C | F | C | Am | C | G | C | C |
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 C, F and G, then Am and Em.
- Play D DU D DU on each chord, one chord per bar.
- Practise the change from C to F, which comes up often.
- Play at 100 beats per minute and sing along to keep the beat.
Tips that matter
- Use the call. The song is built on call-and-response, so pause on the line that answers.
- Stay steady. A calm strum fits the spiritual's pace.
Questions about Michael, Row the Boat Ashore
What chords are in Michael, Row the Boat Ashore?
C, F, G, Am and Em, all in the key of C major.
What time signature is Michael, Row the Boat Ashore 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 Michael, Row the Boat Ashore free to learn and share?
Yes. African-American spiritual, written down in 1867 and in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.