Doc Watson - Deep River Blues Chords

ChordsA, F#, D7, E7

Strumming↓-↓↑

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

ALetitrain,F#letitpour

ALetitrainaD7wholelotmore,

‘CauseAIgotthemdeepriverE7blues,E7

ALettherainF#driverighton,

ALetthewavesD7sweepalong,

‘CauseAIgotthemE7deepriverAblues.

AMyoldgal’saF#goodoldpal,

AShelookslikeaD7waterfowl,

WhenAIgetthemdeepriverE7blues,E7

AAin’tnoonetoF#cryforme,AThefisheshaveD7agrandoldspree

WhenAIgetthemE7deepriverAblues.

AI’mgoin’backF#toMussellShoals,AtimesarebetterD7thereI’mtold,

‘CauseAIgotthemE7deepriverAblues.

ANowI’mgonnaF#saygoodbye,andAifIsink,justD7letmedie,

‘CauseAIgotthemE7deepriverAblues.

ALetitrain,F#letitpour,AletitrainaD7wholelotmore,

‘CauseAIgotthemdeepriverE7blues,E7

ALettherainF#driverighton,AletthewavesD7sweepalong,

‘CauseAIgotthemE7deepriverAblues.

ArtistDoc Watson

AlbumSingle

GenresBlues, Pop

Year1991

KeyA

DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Deep River Blues on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Doc Watson - Deep River Blues on guitar requires 4 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.

Deep River Blues uses these transitions most often: A → E7 (9), E7 → A (9), and A → D7 (8). 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 A - F# chord transition.

1. A → F# chord transition

To move from A to F#:

Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 2.
Slide your middle finger on G string from fret 2 to fret 3.
Lift your ring finger from B string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 4.
Place pinky on D string fret 4.

This transition appears in the verse, played 8 times.

2. A → D7 chord transition

To move from A to D7:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 8 times.

3. A → E7 chord transition

Switching from A to E7:

While playing A, lift your ring finger from B string fret 2.
Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 1.
Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse, played 9 times.

Deep River Blues chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Deep River Blues.

Deep River Blues includes 50 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
These transition patterns show how Deep River Blues connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
After A, the most likely next chords across Chordier are D (29%), G (13%), and E (12%).
- A → E7: 4%
- A → F#: 1%
After E7, the most likely next chords across Chordier are A (31%), Am (28%), and A7 (7%).
- E7 → A: 31%