Were You There guitar chords
A quiet spiritual from 1899 that suits long, ringing chords.
At a glance
- Key G
- Time 4/4
- Level Improver
- Chords G, C, D, Em, Am
Why this song is worth learning
A spiritual with a slow, solemn feel and five chords. It is a good way to practise letting chords ring with one strum per bar.
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
| Verse | G | G | C | G | G | Em | Am | D |
|---|---|
| Chorus | G | C | G | Em | Am | D | G | G |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
Let ring, 1 per bar
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 one strum per bar, and let each chord ring.
- Practise the change from G to Em, which comes up often.
- Play at 100 beats per minute and hold each chord fully.
Tips that matter
- Let it ring. One strum per bar means each chord has to sustain.
- Stay solemn. A calm, steady pace suits the spiritual.
Questions about Were You There
What chords are in Were You There?
G, C, D, Em and Am, all in the key of G major.
What time signature is Were You There 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 Were You There free to learn and share?
Yes. African-American spiritual, published in 1899 and in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.