The Lumineers - Charlie Boy Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar Em chord diagram
Guitar D chord diagram
[Opening]
[G] [G] [C] [G] [C][Em] [D] [C][G]
[G]Charlie boy, don’t [C]go to [G]war, [C]first [Em]born [D] in [C]forty-[G]four
[G]Kennedy made [C]him [G]believe we [C] [Em]could [D]do [C]much more[G]
[chorus]
[G]Ooh oh [Em]ooh oh [C]ooh oh [G]ooh, [G]ooh oh [Em]ooh oh [C]ooh oh [G]ooh
[verse 2]
[G]Lillian, don’t [C]hang your [G]head, [C]love [Em]should [D]make you [C]feel good[G]
In [G]uniform you [C]raised a [G]man, who [C][Em]volunteer[D]ed [C]to [G]stand
[chorus]
[G]Ooh oh [Em]ooh oh [C]ooh oh [G]ooh, [G]ooh oh [Em]ooh oh [C]ooh oh [G]ooh
[chorus]
[C]Play the [Em]bugle, [G]play the taps [D]and, [C]make your [Em]mothers [G]proud.
[C]Raise your [Em][G]rifles to the [D]sky boys, [C]fire that [Em]volley [G]loud.
[Closing]
[G]News was bad on [C]Upland [G]Ave, [C]metuchen [Em]and [D]mourn [C]our [G]loss
[G]Sons rebelled, while [C]fathers, [G]yelled, and [C][Em]mothers [D]clutched [C]the [G]cross
[chorus]
[G]Ooh oh [Em]ooh oh [C]ooh oh [G]ooh, [G]ooh oh [Em]ooh oh [C]ooh oh [G]ooh
[chorus]
[C]Play the [Em]bugle, [G]play the taps [D]and, [C]make your [Em]mothers [G]proud.
[C]Raise your [Em][G]rifles to the [D]sky boys, [C]fire that [Em]volley [G]loud.
How to play Charlie Boy on Guitar (Step-by-step)
The Lumineers - Charlie Boy on guitar requires 4 chords and 6 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.
Charlie Boy uses these transitions most often: C → G (20), G → C (18), and C → Em (15). 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
To move from G to C;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.
2. C → Em chord transition
To move from C to Em;
- While playing C, lift your index finger from B string fret 1.
- Lift your middle finger from D string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from A string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
3. Em → D chord transition
To move from Em to D;
- Lift your middle finger from A string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from D string fret 2 to B string fret 3.
- Place index finger on G string fret 2.
4. D → C chord transition
To move from D to C;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.
5. G → Em chord transition
To move from G to Em;
- While playing G, lift your index finger from A string fret 2.
- Lift your middle finger from E string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
6. G → D chord transition
To move from G to D;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to E string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.
Charlie Boy chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Charlie Boy.
- Charlie Boy includes 95 chord transitions, 6 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- Charlie Boy contains 5 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how Charlie Boy 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%
- G → D: 24%
After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).- C → G: 35%
- C → Em: 8%