Steal Away guitar chords
One of the oldest spirituals on the site, and one of the gentlest.
At a glance
- Key G
- Time 4/4
- Level Improver
- Chords G, C, D, Em
Why this song is worth learning
A slow spiritual with four chords and a lot of space between the strums. It is a good way to practise holding chords and playing softly.
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 |
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 | C | G | G | D | G | G |
|---|---|
| Verse | G | Em | C | G | G | D | G | G |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
Slow D - DU - D
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.
- Play a slow D - DU - D pattern on each chord.
- Practise the change from G to Em.
- Play at 100 beats per minute, and keep the playing gentle.
Tips that matter
- Hold the chords. The slow pace means each chord should ring fully.
- Stay soft. A quiet touch matches the spiritual's mood.
Questions about Steal Away
What chords are in Steal Away?
G, C, D and Em, all in the key of G major.
What time signature is Steal Away 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 Steal Away free to learn and share?
Yes. African-American spiritual from before 1862 and in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.