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Donovan - Happiness Runs Chords

ChordsC, Am, G, Em, F
Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to A,D keys to play this song with easier chords.

CLittlepebble Cuponthesand
AmNowyou’relyinghere,Ginmyhand
AmHowmanyAmyearshaveAmyoubeenGhere?
CLittlehuman Cuponthesand
AmFromwhereI’mlying,hereAminyourhand
AmYoutoAmmearebutaAmpassingGbreeze
CThesunwillalways,Amshinewhereyoustand
CDependingAminwhichland,Emyoumayfindyourself
CNowyouhavemyAmblessing,goyourGwayC
FCGCFCGC
FHappinessCruns,inaGcircularCmotion
FThoughtis,likeaClittleboat, GupontheCsea
FEverybodyCisapart,ofGeverythingCanyway
FYoucanhave Ceverything,ifyouGletyourselfCbe
FHappinessCruns, GhappinessCruns
FHappinessCruns, GhappinessCruns
FHappinessCruns, GhappinessCruns
FHappinessCruns, GhappinessCruns
FHappinessCruns,inaGcircularCmotion
FThoughtis,likeaClittleboat, GupontheCsea
FEverybodyCisapart,ofGeverythingCanyway
FYoucanhave Ceverything,ifyouGletyourselfCbe
FWhyCOh?GBecauseFWhyCOh?GBecause
FWhyCOh?GBecauseFWhyCOh?GBecause
FHappinessCruns,inaGcircularCmotion
FThoughtis,likeaClittleboat, GupontheCsea
FEverybodyCisapart,ofGeverythingCanyway
FYoucanhave Ceverything,ifyouGletyourselfCbe
FYoucanhave Ceverything,ifyouGletyourselfCbe
(little,pebbleuponthesand)
FYoucanhave Ceverything,ifyouGletyourselfCbe
(little,pebbleuponthesand)
FYoucanhave Ceverything,ifyouGletyourselfCbe
(little,pebbleuponthesand)
FYoucanhave Ceverything,ifyouGletyourselfCbe
(little,pebbleuponthesand)
ArtistDonovan
AlbumBarabajagal
GenresFolk
Year1969
KeyC
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Happiness Runs on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Donovan - Happiness Runs 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.

Happiness Runs uses these transitions most often: G → C (29), C → F (26), and C → G (26). 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 C - Am chord transition.

1. C → Am chord transition

Here's how to move from C to Am:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 5 times.

C to Am

2. Am → G chord transition

To move from Am to G:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 4 times.

Am to G

3. G → C chord transition

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 29 times.

G to C

4. Am → Em chord transition

Switching from Am to Em:

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

This transition appears in the verse.

Am to Em

5. Em → C chord transition

To move from Em to C:

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

This transition appears in the verse.

6. C → F chord transition

To move from C to F:

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

This transition appears in the interlude, played 26 times.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Happiness Runs.

  • Happiness Runs includes 120 chord transitions, 6 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Happiness Runs contains 4 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Happiness Runs connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → G: 35%
    • C → F: 16%
    After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → C: 25%
    • G → Am: 13%