Johnny Cash - Wayfaring Stranger Chords

ChordsEm, Am, C, G, B7

Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

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

EmAmEm

I’mjustaEmpoorwayfaringstranger

TravelinAmthruthisworld Embelow

Thereain’tnoEmsickness,toil,ordanger

InthisbrightAmlandtowhichIEmgo

I’mgoingCtheretoseemyGFather

Hesaidhe’dCmeetmewhenIB7go

I’lljustbeEmgoingoverJordan

I’lljustbeAmgoingoverEmhome

EmAmEm

IknowdarkEmcloudsgonnagatheraroundme,

IknowmyAmwaywillberoughandEmsteep

ButbeauteousEmfieldsliebeforeme

WhereGod’s AmredeemedtheirvigilsEmkeep

I’mgoingCtheretoseemyGmother

ShesaidshewouldCmeetmewhenIB7come

I’lljustbeEmgoingoverJordan

I’lljustbeAmgoingoverEmhome

I’lljustbeEmgoingoverJordan

I’lljustbeAmgoingoverEmhome

I’lljustbeEmgoingoverJordan

I’lljustbeAmgoingoverEmhome

ArtistJohnny Cash

AlbumAmerican III: Solitary Man

GenresCountry, Folk

Year2000

KeyEm

DifficultyEasy

How to play Wayfaring Stranger on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Johnny Cash - Wayfaring Stranger on guitar requires 5 chords and 5 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.

Wayfaring Stranger uses these transitions most often: Am → Em (10), Em → Am (10), and B7 → Em (2). 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 - Am chord transition.

1. Em → Am chord transition

Switching from Em to Am:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 10 times.

2. Em → C chord transition

Switching from Em to C:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 2 times.

3. C → G chord transition

Switching from C to G:

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

4. C → B7 chord transition

Switching from C to B7:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 2 times.

Wayfaring Stranger chord transition analysis

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

Wayfaring Stranger includes 30 chord transitions, 5 of them unique.
These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
Wayfaring Stranger contains 2 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
These transition patterns show how Wayfaring Stranger connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
After Em, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (26%), G (18%), and D (18%).
- Em → C: 26%
- Em → Am: 12%
After Am, the most likely next chords across Chordier are F (26%), G (21%), and C (16%).
- Am → Em: 10%

1. Em → Am chord transition

2. Em → C chord transition

3. C → G chord transition

4. C → B7 chord transition

5. B7 → Em chord transition