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Harry Belafonte - Jamaica Farewell Chords

ChordsC, F, G7
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,E keys to play this song with easier chords.

  • Guitar C chord diagram Fingering: x-3-2-0-1-0Guitar C chord diagram
  • Guitar F chord diagram Fingering: 1-3-3-2-1-1 Barre at fret 1.Guitar F chord diagram
  • Guitar G7 chord diagram Fingering: 3-2-0-0-0-1Guitar G7 chord diagram


[C]Down the way where the [F]nights are gay
And the [G7]sun shines gaily on the [C]mountain top
[C]I took a trip on a [F]sailing ship
And when I [G7]reached Jamaica I [C]made a stop


[C]But I’m sad to say, [F]I’m on my way
[G7]Won’t be back for [C]many a day
Me [C]heart is down, me head is [F]turning around
I had to [G7]leave a little girl in [C]Kingston town


[C]Down at the market [F]you can hear
Ladies [G7]cry out while on their [C]heads they bear
[C]Akee, rice, salt [F]fish are nice
And the [G7]rum is fine any [C]time of year


[C]But I’m sad to say, [F]I’m on my way
[G7]Won’t be back for [C]many a day
Me [C]heart is down, me head is [F]turning around
I had to [G7]leave a little girl in [C]Kingston town


[C]Sounds of laughter [F]everywhere
And the [G7]dancing girls sway [C]to and fro
[C]I must declare my [F]heart is there
Though I’ve [G7]been from Maine to [C]Mexico


[C]But I’m sad to say, [F]I’m on my way
[G7]Won’t be back for [C]many a day
Me [C]heart is down, me head is [F]turning around
I had to [G7]leave a little girl in [C]Kingston town


[C]But I’m sad to say, [F]I’m on my way
[G7]Won’t be back for [C]many a day
Me [C]heart is down, me head is [F]turning around
I had to [G7]leave a little girl in [C]Kingston town


I had to [G7]leave a little girl in [C]Kings[G7]ton [C]town

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AlbumCalypso
GenresFolk, Pop
Year1957
KeyC

How to play Jamaica Farewell on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Harry Belafonte - Jamaica Farewell 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.

Jamaica Farewell uses these transitions most often: G7 → C (16), C → F (14), and F → G7 (14). 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 - F chord transition.

1. 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.
C to F

2. F → G7 chord transition

To move from F to G7;

  1. While playing F, lift your pinky from D string fret 3.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
  3. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
  4. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 1.
F to G7

3. G7 → C chord transition

To move from G7 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 1 and place it on A string fret 3.
G7 to C

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Jamaica Farewell.

  • Jamaica Farewell includes 46 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Jamaica Farewell contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Jamaica Farewell 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 → F: 16%
    • C → G7: 2%
    After G7, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (69%), C7 (5%), and F (5%).
    • G7 → C: 69%