When Johnny Comes Marching Home guitar chords
An 1863 marching song in a minor key.
At a glance
- Key Am
- Time 4/4
- Level Improver
- Chords Am, Dm, E, E7, C, G
Why this song is worth learning
A marching song from the American Civil War era with six chords and a strong beat. It is a good way to practise minor and major changes with a clear rhythm.
The chords, as shapes
| Chord | Frets (low E to high e) |
|---|---|
| Am | x 0 2 2 1 0 |
| Dm | x x 0 2 3 1 |
| E | 0 2 2 1 0 0 |
| E7 | 0 2 0 1 0 0 |
| C | x 3 2 0 1 0 |
| G | 3 2 0 0 0 3 |
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 | Am | Am | Dm | Am | Am | E | Am | Am |
|---|---|
| Chorus | C | G | Am | Am | Dm | E | Am | Am |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
D D DU D (march)
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 Am, Dm and E, then E7, C and G.
- Play D D DU D on Am, and keep the same pattern on the other chords.
- Practise the change from Am to Dm.
- Play at 100 beats per minute and keep the march steady.
Tips that matter
- March it. Keep the strum firm and even, like a marching beat.
- Change on the beat. Move to each new chord on beat one.
Questions about When Johnny Comes Marching Home
What chords are in When Johnny Comes Marching Home?
Am, Dm, E, E7, C and G, all in the key of A minor.
What time signature is When Johnny Comes Marching Home 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 When Johnny Comes Marching Home free to learn and share?
Yes. Written by Patrick Gilmore in 1863 and in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.