Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen guitar chords
An 1867 spiritual that asks to be played slowly.
At a glance
- Key G
- Time 4/4
- Level Improver
- Chords G, C, D, Em, Am
Why this song is worth learning
A slow, reflective spiritual that moves through five chords with space between the strums. It is a good way to practise holding chords and leaving room in the rhythm.
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 |
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 | C | G | Em | Am | D | G | G |
|---|---|
| Verse | G | G | C | G | Am | D | G | G |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
Slow 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, then Em and Am.
- Play a slow down-strum on each chord, then an up-strum.
- Practise the change from G to Em, which comes up often.
- Play at 100 beats per minute, then slow down if the changes feel rushed.
Tips that matter
- Leave room. The song breathes between phrases, so do not fill every gap.
- Hold the chords. Let each chord ring out before you move on.
Questions about Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen
What chords are in Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen?
G, C, D, Em and Am, all in the key of G major.
What time signature is Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen in?
4/4, with four beats per bar. It is rated Improver.
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 Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen free to learn and share?
Yes. African-American spiritual, published in 1867 and in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.