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Amarillo by Morning Chords

George Strait Intermediate Key of A 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Atap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

F#mtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Intermediate

Capo

None

Chords

A · D · E · F#m

Amarillo by Morning Chords – Guitar

George Strait’s iconic rodeo ballad about life on the road and what it costs. Intermediate difficulty in the key of A.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The F#m chord gives this song its bittersweet flavor. Practice transitioning smoothly between A and F#m. Use a relaxed steady strum and let the chords ring. This song has a gentle loping feel that suits a slower tempo.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

Amarillo by mornin’

D

Up from San Antone

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Verse 2

A

They took my saddle in

D

Houston

E D A

Broke my leg in Santa Fe

A

Lost my wife and a

D

girlfriend

E D A

Somewhere along the way

Chorus

A E

Well I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

A E

But I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Verse 3

A

Amarillo by mornin’

D

Up from San Antone

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

I ain’t got a dime

D

But what I got is mine

E D

I ain’t rich but Lord I’m free

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo is where I’ll be

Chorus

A E

Well I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

A E

But I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Outro

A D

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

E D

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Amarillo by Morning"?

You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: A, D, E and F#m.

Is "Amarillo by Morning" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Amarillo by Morning" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Amarillo by Morning"?

It was written by Terry Stafford, Paul Fraser, and released in 1983.

Atap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

F#mtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

A · D · E · F#m

Amarillo by Morning Chords – Ukulele

George Strait’s iconic rodeo ballad about life on the road and what it costs. Intermediate difficulty in the key of A.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The F#m chord gives this song its bittersweet flavor. Practice transitioning smoothly between A and F#m. Use a relaxed steady strum and let the chords ring. This song has a gentle loping feel that suits a slower tempo.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

Amarillo by mornin’

D

Up from San Antone

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Verse 2

A

They took my saddle in

D

Houston

E D A

Broke my leg in Santa Fe

A

Lost my wife and a

D

girlfriend

E D A

Somewhere along the way

Chorus

A E

Well I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

A E

But I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Verse 3

A

Amarillo by mornin’

D

Up from San Antone

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

I ain’t got a dime

D

But what I got is mine

E D

I ain’t rich but Lord I’m free

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo is where I’ll be

Chorus

A E

Well I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

A E

But I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Outro

A D

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

E D

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Amarillo by Morning"?

You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: A, D, E and F#m.

Is "Amarillo by Morning" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Amarillo by Morning" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Amarillo by Morning"?

It was written by Terry Stafford, Paul Fraser, and released in 1983.

Atap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

F#mtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Intermediate

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

A · D · E · F#m

Amarillo by Morning Chords – Piano

George Strait’s iconic rodeo ballad about life on the road and what it costs. Intermediate difficulty in the key of A.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The F#m chord gives this song its bittersweet flavor. Practice transitioning smoothly between A and F#m. Use a relaxed steady strum and let the chords ring. This song has a gentle loping feel that suits a slower tempo.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

Amarillo by mornin’

D

Up from San Antone

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Verse 2

A

They took my saddle in

D

Houston

E D A

Broke my leg in Santa Fe

A

Lost my wife and a

D

girlfriend

E D A

Somewhere along the way

Chorus

A E

Well I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

A E

But I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Verse 3

A

Amarillo by mornin’

D

Up from San Antone

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

I ain’t got a dime

D

But what I got is mine

E D

I ain’t rich but Lord I’m free

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo is where I’ll be

Chorus

A E

Well I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

A E

But I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Outro

A D

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

E D

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Amarillo by Morning"?

You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: A, D, E and F#m.

Is "Amarillo by Morning" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Amarillo by Morning" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Amarillo by Morning"?

It was written by Terry Stafford, Paul Fraser, and released in 1983.

Atap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

F#mtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

A · D · E · F#m

Amarillo by Morning Chords – Banjo

George Strait’s iconic rodeo ballad about life on the road and what it costs. Intermediate difficulty in the key of A.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The F#m chord gives this song its bittersweet flavor. Practice transitioning smoothly between A and F#m. Use a relaxed steady strum and let the chords ring. This song has a gentle loping feel that suits a slower tempo.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

Amarillo by mornin’

D

Up from San Antone

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Verse 2

A

They took my saddle in

D

Houston

E D A

Broke my leg in Santa Fe

A

Lost my wife and a

D

girlfriend

E D A

Somewhere along the way

Chorus

A E

Well I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

A E

But I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Verse 3

A

Amarillo by mornin’

D

Up from San Antone

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

I ain’t got a dime

D

But what I got is mine

E D

I ain’t rich but Lord I’m free

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo is where I’ll be

Chorus

A E

Well I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

A E

But I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Outro

A D

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

E D

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Amarillo by Morning"?

You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: A, D, E and F#m.

Is "Amarillo by Morning" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Amarillo by Morning" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Amarillo by Morning"?

It was written by Terry Stafford, Paul Fraser, and released in 1983.

Atap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

F#mtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

A · D · E · F#m

Amarillo by Morning Chords – Mandolin

George Strait’s iconic rodeo ballad about life on the road and what it costs. Intermediate difficulty in the key of A.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The F#m chord gives this song its bittersweet flavor. Practice transitioning smoothly between A and F#m. Use a relaxed steady strum and let the chords ring. This song has a gentle loping feel that suits a slower tempo.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

Amarillo by mornin’

D

Up from San Antone

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Verse 2

A

They took my saddle in

D

Houston

E D A

Broke my leg in Santa Fe

A

Lost my wife and a

D

girlfriend

E D A

Somewhere along the way

Chorus

A E

Well I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

A E

But I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Verse 3

A

Amarillo by mornin’

D

Up from San Antone

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

I ain’t got a dime

D

But what I got is mine

E D

I ain’t rich but Lord I’m free

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo is where I’ll be

Chorus

A E

Well I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

A E

But I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Outro

A D

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

E D

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Amarillo by Morning"?

You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: A, D, E and F#m.

Is "Amarillo by Morning" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Amarillo by Morning" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Amarillo by Morning"?

It was written by Terry Stafford, Paul Fraser, and released in 1983.

Atap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

F#mtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Intermediate

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

A · D · E · F#m

Amarillo by Morning Chords – Harmonica

George Strait’s iconic rodeo ballad about life on the road and what it costs. Intermediate difficulty in the key of A.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The F#m chord gives this song its bittersweet flavor. Practice transitioning smoothly between A and F#m. Use a relaxed steady strum and let the chords ring. This song has a gentle loping feel that suits a slower tempo.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

Amarillo by mornin’

D

Up from San Antone

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Verse 2

A

They took my saddle in

D

Houston

E D A

Broke my leg in Santa Fe

A

Lost my wife and a

D

girlfriend

E D A

Somewhere along the way

Chorus

A E

Well I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

A E

But I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Verse 3

A

Amarillo by mornin’

D

Up from San Antone

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

I ain’t got a dime

D

But what I got is mine

E D

I ain’t rich but Lord I’m free

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo is where I’ll be

Chorus

A E

Well I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

A E

But I’ll take the highway

F#m D

And the heartaches that go along

E

Everything that I got

D A

Is just what I’ve got on

A

When that sun is high in that

D

Texas sky

E D

I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair

A

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Outro

A D

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

E D

Amarillo by mornin’

E A

Amarillo I’ll be there

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Amarillo by Morning"?

You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: A, D, E and F#m.

Is "Amarillo by Morning" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Amarillo by Morning" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Amarillo by Morning"?

It was written by Terry Stafford, Paul Fraser, and released in 1983.