Rock

Bertha Chords

Grateful Dead Beginner Key of G 5 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Am · Em

Bertha Chords – Guitar

A classic Grateful Dead tune about a persistent, troublesome woman. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep a steady, bouncy rhythm to match the song’s playful feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

Bertha don’t you come around here anymore

D C G

If you do you’re gonna grease your face

G C G

Dressed in your jeans and your polyester shirt

D C G

You’re gonna see your picture on the wall

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Verse 2

G C G

I had a hard run, running from your window

D C G

I was all night running, running

G C G

I wonder if you care, I wonder if you care

D C G

I had a love for you, but it was a long time ago

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Verse 3

G C G

I had to move, really had to move

D C G

That’s why if you please, I am on the bend

G C G

I can’t walk, I can’t talk to you

D C G

I can’t walk, I’m on the bend

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Bridge

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

Verse 4

G C G

Bertha don’t you come around here anymore

D C G

Empty out your house, pack it in a suitcase

G C G

You know you got to let me slide, let me slide

D C G

You know you got to let me slide, let me slide

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Practice tip: Work on the G to C and G to D transitions until they are automatic, as they form the core of the song’s progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Bertha"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D, Am and Em.

Is "Bertha" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Bertha" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Bertha"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, and released in 1971.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Am · Em

Bertha Chords – Ukulele

A classic Grateful Dead tune about a persistent, troublesome woman. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep a steady, bouncy rhythm to match the song’s playful feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

Bertha don’t you come around here anymore

D C G

If you do you’re gonna grease your face

G C G

Dressed in your jeans and your polyester shirt

D C G

You’re gonna see your picture on the wall

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Verse 2

G C G

I had a hard run, running from your window

D C G

I was all night running, running

G C G

I wonder if you care, I wonder if you care

D C G

I had a love for you, but it was a long time ago

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Verse 3

G C G

I had to move, really had to move

D C G

That’s why if you please, I am on the bend

G C G

I can’t walk, I can’t talk to you

D C G

I can’t walk, I’m on the bend

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Bridge

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

Verse 4

G C G

Bertha don’t you come around here anymore

D C G

Empty out your house, pack it in a suitcase

G C G

You know you got to let me slide, let me slide

D C G

You know you got to let me slide, let me slide

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Practice tip: Work on the G to C and G to D transitions until they are automatic, as they form the core of the song’s progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Bertha"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D, Am and Em.

Is "Bertha" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Bertha" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Bertha"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, and released in 1971.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Am · Em

Bertha Chords – Piano

A classic Grateful Dead tune about a persistent, troublesome woman. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep a steady, bouncy rhythm to match the song’s playful feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

Bertha don’t you come around here anymore

D C G

If you do you’re gonna grease your face

G C G

Dressed in your jeans and your polyester shirt

D C G

You’re gonna see your picture on the wall

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Verse 2

G C G

I had a hard run, running from your window

D C G

I was all night running, running

G C G

I wonder if you care, I wonder if you care

D C G

I had a love for you, but it was a long time ago

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Verse 3

G C G

I had to move, really had to move

D C G

That’s why if you please, I am on the bend

G C G

I can’t walk, I can’t talk to you

D C G

I can’t walk, I’m on the bend

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Bridge

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

Verse 4

G C G

Bertha don’t you come around here anymore

D C G

Empty out your house, pack it in a suitcase

G C G

You know you got to let me slide, let me slide

D C G

You know you got to let me slide, let me slide

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Practice tip: Work on the G to C and G to D transitions until they are automatic, as they form the core of the song’s progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Bertha"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D, Am and Em.

Is "Bertha" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Bertha" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Bertha"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, and released in 1971.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Am · Em

Bertha Chords – Banjo

A classic Grateful Dead tune about a persistent, troublesome woman. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep a steady, bouncy rhythm to match the song’s playful feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

Bertha don’t you come around here anymore

D C G

If you do you’re gonna grease your face

G C G

Dressed in your jeans and your polyester shirt

D C G

You’re gonna see your picture on the wall

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Verse 2

G C G

I had a hard run, running from your window

D C G

I was all night running, running

G C G

I wonder if you care, I wonder if you care

D C G

I had a love for you, but it was a long time ago

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Verse 3

G C G

I had to move, really had to move

D C G

That’s why if you please, I am on the bend

G C G

I can’t walk, I can’t talk to you

D C G

I can’t walk, I’m on the bend

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Bridge

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

Verse 4

G C G

Bertha don’t you come around here anymore

D C G

Empty out your house, pack it in a suitcase

G C G

You know you got to let me slide, let me slide

D C G

You know you got to let me slide, let me slide

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Practice tip: Work on the G to C and G to D transitions until they are automatic, as they form the core of the song’s progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Bertha"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D, Am and Em.

Is "Bertha" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Bertha" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Bertha"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, and released in 1971.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Am · Em

Bertha Chords – Mandolin

A classic Grateful Dead tune about a persistent, troublesome woman. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep a steady, bouncy rhythm to match the song’s playful feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

Bertha don’t you come around here anymore

D C G

If you do you’re gonna grease your face

G C G

Dressed in your jeans and your polyester shirt

D C G

You’re gonna see your picture on the wall

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Verse 2

G C G

I had a hard run, running from your window

D C G

I was all night running, running

G C G

I wonder if you care, I wonder if you care

D C G

I had a love for you, but it was a long time ago

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Verse 3

G C G

I had to move, really had to move

D C G

That’s why if you please, I am on the bend

G C G

I can’t walk, I can’t talk to you

D C G

I can’t walk, I’m on the bend

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Bridge

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

Verse 4

G C G

Bertha don’t you come around here anymore

D C G

Empty out your house, pack it in a suitcase

G C G

You know you got to let me slide, let me slide

D C G

You know you got to let me slide, let me slide

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Practice tip: Work on the G to C and G to D transitions until they are automatic, as they form the core of the song’s progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Bertha"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D, Am and Em.

Is "Bertha" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Bertha" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Bertha"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, and released in 1971.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Am · Em

Bertha Chords – Harmonica

A classic Grateful Dead tune about a persistent, troublesome woman. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep a steady, bouncy rhythm to match the song’s playful feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

Bertha don’t you come around here anymore

D C G

If you do you’re gonna grease your face

G C G

Dressed in your jeans and your polyester shirt

D C G

You’re gonna see your picture on the wall

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Verse 2

G C G

I had a hard run, running from your window

D C G

I was all night running, running

G C G

I wonder if you care, I wonder if you care

D C G

I had a love for you, but it was a long time ago

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Verse 3

G C G

I had to move, really had to move

D C G

That’s why if you please, I am on the bend

G C G

I can’t walk, I can’t talk to you

D C G

I can’t walk, I’m on the bend

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Bridge

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

D C G

I was all night running from your door

Verse 4

G C G

Bertha don’t you come around here anymore

D C G

Empty out your house, pack it in a suitcase

G C G

You know you got to let me slide, let me slide

D C G

You know you got to let me slide, let me slide

Chorus

C G

Test me, test me

D C

Why don’t you arrest me

C G

Throw me in the jailhouse

D G

’Til the sun goes down

Practice tip: Work on the G to C and G to D transitions until they are automatic, as they form the core of the song’s progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Bertha"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D, Am and Em.

Is "Bertha" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Bertha" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Bertha"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, and released in 1971.