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Johnny Cash - A Boy Named Sue Chords

DATA-DRIVENWhich Chord Comes Next?Learn the most likely chord transitions on guitar and start playing songs with confidence.
ChordsG, C, D
Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

GMydaddylefthomewhenIwasthree
CAndhedidn’tleavemuchtomaandme
DJustthisoldguitarandanemptybottleofGbooze.
GNow,Idon’tblamehimcauseherunandhid
CButthemeanestthingthatheeverdid
DWasbeforeheleft,hewentandnamedme G“Sue.”
GWell,hemusto’thoughtthatisquiteajoke
CAnditgotalotoflaughsfroma’lotsoffolk,
DItseemsIhadtofightmywholelifeGthrough.
GSomegalwouldgiggleandI’dgetred
CAndsomeguy’dlaughandI’dbusthishead,
Itellya,Dlifeain’teasyforaboynamed G“Sue.”
GWell,IgrewupquickandIgrewupmean,
CMyfistgothardandmywitsgotkeen,
DI’droamfromtowntotowntohidemyGshame.
GButImadeavowtothemoonandstars
CThatI’dsearchthehonkytonksandbars
DAndkillthatmanwhogavemethatawfulGname.
GWell,itwasGatlinburginmidJuly
CAndIjusthittownandmythroatwasdry,
DIthoughtI’dstopandhavemyselfaGbrew.
GAtanoldsaloononastreetofmud,
CThereatatable,dealingstud,
DSatthedirty,mangydogthatnamedme G“Sue.”
GWell,Iknewthatsnakewasmyownsweetdad
CFromawornoutpicturethatmymother’dhad,
DAndIknewthatscaronhischeekandhisGevileye.
GHewasbigandbentandgrayandold,
CAndIlookedathimandmybloodrancold
DAndIsaid:“Mynameis‘Sue!’GHowdoyoudo!
Nowyougonnadie!!”
GWell,Ihithimhardrightbetweentheeyes
CAndhewentdown,buttomysurprise,
DHecomeupwithaknifeandcutoffaGpieceofmyear.
GButIbustedachairrightacrosshisteeth
CAndwecrashedthroughthewallandintothestreet
DKickinganda’gouginginthemudandthebloodandGthebeer.
GItellya,I’vefoughttoughermen
CButIreallycan’trememberwhen,
DHekickedlikeamuleandhebitlikeaGcrocodile.
GIheardhimlaughandthenIheardhimcuss,
CHewentforhisgunandIpulledminefirst,
DHestoodtherelookingatmeandIsawhimGsmile.
GAndhesaid:“Son,thisworldisrough
CAndifaman’sgonnamakeit,he’sgottabetough
DAndIknewIwouldn’tbetheretohelpyaGalong.
GSoIgiveyathatnameandIsaidgoodbye
CIknewyou’dhavetogettoughordie
DAndit’sthenamethathelpedtomakeyouGstrong.”
GHesaid:“Nowyoujustfoughtonehellofafight
CAndIknowyouhateme,andyougottheright
DTokillmenow,andIwouldn’tblameyouifyouGdo.
GButyaoughttothankme,beforeIdie,
CForthegravelinyagutsandthespitinyaeye
DCauseI’mthesonofabitchthatnamedyou G“Sue.'”
GIgotallchokedupandIthrewdownmygun
CAndIcalledhimmypa,andhecalledmehisson,
DAndIcameawaywithadifferentpointofGview.
GAndIthinkabouthim,nowandthen,
CEverytimeItryandeverytimeIwin,
AndifIeverhaveason,IthinkI’mgonnanamehim
GBillorGeorge!AnythingbutSue!Istillhatethatname!
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookDiscover the most-used three-chord combinations in songs and build real command on guitar.
14,015 TRANSITIONS ANALYZED#1 at 23%: Which Transition?Master guitar today with the most repeated high-impact chord transitions.
ArtistJohnny Cash
AlbumAt San Quentin
GenresCountry
Year1969
KeyG
DifficultyEasy

How to play A Boy Named Sue on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Johnny Cash - A Boy Named Sue on guitar requires 3 chords and 3 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

A Boy Named Sue uses these transitions most often: G → C (20), C → D (19), and D → G (19). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with G - C chord transition.

1. G → C chord transition

Guitar G chord diagram Fingering: 3-2-0-0-0-3Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar C chord diagram Fingering: x-3-2-0-1-0Guitar C chord diagram

Switching from G to C:

  1. Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 20 times.

G to C

2. C → D chord transition

Guitar C chord diagram Fingering: x-3-2-0-1-0Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar D chord diagram Fingering: x-x-0-2-3-2Guitar D chord diagram

Switching from C to D:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 19 times.

C to D

3. D → G chord transition

Guitar D chord diagram Fingering: x-x-0-2-3-2Guitar D chord diagram
Guitar G chord diagram Fingering: 3-2-0-0-0-3Guitar G chord diagram

Here's how to move from D to G:

  1. Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
  3. Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 19 times.

D to G

A Boy Named Sue chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in A Boy Named Sue.

  • A Boy Named Sue includes 59 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • A Boy Named Sue contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how A Boy Named Sue connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → C: 25%
    After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → G: 35%
    • C → D: 11%
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookThe 200 most popular three-chord chains from real songs. See which songs use each chain and expand your repertoire with patterns that actually matter.