Skip to song content

Johnny Cash - Medley Chords

ChordsF, F7, Bb, C7, D7, G, G7, C, D, A, E7
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

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

IFhearthetrainacoming,it’srolling’roundthebend,
AndIain’tseenthesunshine,since,F7Idon’tknowwhen,
I’mBbstuckinFolsomPrison,andtimekeepsdraggingFon,
ButthatC7trainkeepsa-rolling,ondowntoSan FAntone.
WhenFIwasjustababy,myMamatoldme,“Son,
Alwaysbeagoodboy,don’tF7everplaywithguns,”
ButIBbshotamaninReno,justtowatchhimFdie,
WhenIC7hearthatwhistleblowing,IhangmyheadandFcry.
FD7
IGbetthere’srichfolkseatinginafancydiningcar,
They’reprobablydrinkingcoffee,andG7smokingbigcigars,
ButICknowIhaditcoming,IknowIcan’tbeGfree,
ButthoseD7peoplekeepa-moving,andthat’swhattorturesGme.
Well,iftheyGfreedmefromthisprison,ifthatrailroadtrainwasmine
IbetI’dmoveitonalittleG7furtherdowntheline,
CFarfromFolsomPrison,that’swhereIwanttoGstay,
AndI’dD7letthatlonesomewhistle,blowmyBluesGaway.G
IkeepaDclosewatchonthisheartofGmine
IkeepmyDeyeswideopenalltheGtime
IkeeptheCendsoutforthetiethatGbinds
Becauseyou’reDmine,IwalktheGline
IfinditDvery,veryeasytobeGtrue
Ifind DmyselfalonewhendayisGthrough
Yes,I’ll CadmitthatI’mafoolforGyou
Becauseyou’reDmine,IwalktheGline
AssureasDnightisdarkanddayisGlight
IkeepyouDonmymindbothdayandGnight
And ChappinessI’veknownprovesthatit’sGright
Becauseyou’reDmine,IwalktheGline.GA
You’vegotaE7waytokeepmeonyourAside
YougivemeE7causeforlovethatIcan’tAhide
ForyouIDknowI’dtrytoturntheAtide
Becauseyou’reE7mine,IwalktheAline
IkeepaE7closewatchonthisheartofAmine
IkeepmyE7eyeswideopenalltheAtime
IkeeptheDendsoutforthetiethatAbinds
Becauseyou’reE7mine,IwalktheAline
Becauseyou’reE7mine,IwalktheAline
Becauseyou’reE7mine,IwalktheAline
AlbumHeroes & Friends, Volume 4
GenresCountry
Year1997
KeyF
DifficultyAdvanced

How to play Medley on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Johnny Cash - Medley on guitar requires 11 chords and 13 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.

Medley uses these transitions most often: D → G (9), G → D (9), and A → E7 (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 F - F7 chord transition.

1. F → F7 chord transition

To move from F to F7:

  1. While playing F, lift your pinky from D string fret 3.
  2. Keep index finger on E string fret 1.
  3. Keep middle finger on G string fret 2.
  4. Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 2 times.

F to F7

2. F7 → Bb chord transition

Switching from F7 to Bb:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 2 times.

F7 to Bb

3. Bb → F chord transition

To move from Bb to F:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 2 times.

Bb to F

4. F → C7 chord transition

To move from F to C7:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 2 times.

F to C7

5. F → D7 chord transition

Switching from F to D7:

  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 B string fret 1.
  3. Keep middle finger on G string fret 2.
  4. Slide your ring finger from A string fret 3 to E string fret 2.

This transition appears in the interlude.

6. D7 → G chord transition

Here's how to move from D7 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 G string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
  3. Slide your ring finger on E string from fret 2 to fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 3 times.

7. G → G7 chord transition

Here's how to move from G to G7:

  1. Keep index finger on A string fret 2.
  2. Keep middle finger on E string fret 3.
  3. Slide your ring finger on E string from fret 3 to fret 1.

This transition appears in the verse, played 2 times.

8. G7 → C chord transition

Switching 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.

This transition appears in the verse, played 2 times.

9. C → G chord transition

Switching from C 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 A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 5 times.

10. G → D chord transition

Here's how to move from G to D:

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

This transition appears in the chorus, played 9 times.

11. G → A chord transition

Here's how to move from G to A:

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

This transition appears in the verse.

12. A → E7 chord transition

To move from A to E7:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 8 times.

13. A → D chord transition

Here's how to move from A to D:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 2 times.

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

  • Medley includes 67 chord transitions, 13 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Medley contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Medley 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 D, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (29%), A (17%), and Em (17%).
    • D → G: 29%
    • D → A: 17%