Kingston Trio - Greenback Dollar Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
Guitar Em chord diagram
Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar C7 chord diagram
Guitar D chord diagram
Guitar C chord diagram
[Opening]
[Em]Some people say I’m a [G]no count,
[Em]others say I’m no [G]good,
But [C7]I’m just a natural born [G]traveling man,
[D]Doing what I think I should, [Em]oh yeah,
[D]Doing what I think I [Em]should.
[chorus]
And I [G]don’t give a [C]damn about a [G]greenback [C]dollar,
[G]Spend it [C]fast as I [G]can,
[C]For a [G]wailing [C]song, and a [G]good gui[C]tar,
The [D]only thing that I understand, [Em]poor boy,
The [D]only thing that I under[Em]stand.
[verse 2]
[Em]When I was a little [G]babe, [C]my mama said, “hey [G]son,
[G]Travel where you [C]will, and [G]grow to be a man,
And [D]sing what must be sung, [Em]poor boy,
[D]Sing what must be [Em]sung.”
[chorus]
And I [G]don’t give a [C]damn about a [G]greenback [C]dollar,
[G]Spend it [C]fast as I [G]can,
[C]For a [G]wailing [C]song, and a [G]good gui[C]tar,
The [D]only thing that I understand, [Em]poor boy,
The [D]only thing that I under[Em]stand.
[Closing]
[Em]Now that I’m a [G]grown man, I’ve travelled [Em]here and [G]there,
I’ve [C7]learned that a bottle of [G]brandy and a song,
The [D]only ones who ever cared, [Em]poor boy,
The [D]only ones who ever [Em]cared
[chorus]
And I [G]don’t give a [C]damn about a [G]greenback [C]dollar,
[G]Spend it [C]fast as I [G]can,
[C]For a [G]wailing [C]song, and a [G]good gui[C]tar,
The [D]only thing that I understand, [Em]poor boy,
The [D]only thing that I under[Em]stand.
How to play Greenback Dollar on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Kingston Trio - Greenback Dollar on guitar requires 5 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.
Greenback Dollar uses these transitions most often: G → C (20), C → G (17), and D → Em (12). 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 Em - G chord transition.
1. Em → G chord transition
To move from Em to G;
- Lift your middle finger from A string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 3.
- Slide your ring finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Place index finger on A string fret 2.
2. G → C7 chord transition
To move from G to C7;
- 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.
- Place pinky on G string fret 3.
3. 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.
4. D → Em chord transition
To move from D to Em;
- While playing D, lift your index finger from G string fret 2.
- Lift your middle finger from E string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from B string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
5. 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.
6. C → D chord transition
To move from C to D;
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.
Greenback Dollar chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Greenback Dollar.
- Greenback Dollar includes 75 chord transitions, 6 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- Greenback Dollar contains 4 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how Greenback Dollar 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 → D: 11%