Bluegrass

Boil Them Cabbage Down Chords

Traditional Beginner Key of G 2 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · D

Boil Them Cabbage Down Chords – Guitar

The simplest banjo/mandolin tune — just two chords. Perfect first song for banjo beginners.

Basic Strum

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: Only two chords: G and D. Focus on the right-hand picking pattern. On banjo, use basic clawhammer: bump-dit-ty.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse

G D

Boil them cabbage down, down, turn them hoecakes ’round,

G D G

The only song that I can sing is boil them cabbage down.

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 2 chords in the key of G: G D. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2

Practice the changes

Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3

Add the strumming

Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4

Play along

Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Boil Them Cabbage Down"?

You need 2 beginner-friendly chords: G and D.

Is "Boil Them Cabbage Down" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 2 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Boil Them Cabbage Down" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Boil Them Cabbage Down"?

It was written by Traditional.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · D

Boil Them Cabbage Down Chords – Ukulele

The simplest banjo/mandolin tune — just two chords. Perfect first song for banjo beginners.

Basic Strum

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: Only two chords: G and D. Focus on the right-hand picking pattern. On banjo, use basic clawhammer: bump-dit-ty.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse

G D

Boil them cabbage down, down, turn them hoecakes ’round,

G D G

The only song that I can sing is boil them cabbage down.

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 2 chords in the key of G: G D. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2

Practice the changes

Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3

Add the strumming

Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4

Play along

Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Boil Them Cabbage Down"?

You need 2 beginner-friendly chords: G and D.

Is "Boil Them Cabbage Down" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 2 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Boil Them Cabbage Down" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Boil Them Cabbage Down"?

It was written by Traditional.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · D

Boil Them Cabbage Down Chords – Piano

The simplest banjo/mandolin tune — just two chords. Perfect first song for banjo beginners.

Basic Strum

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: Only two chords: G and D. Focus on the right-hand picking pattern. On banjo, use basic clawhammer: bump-dit-ty.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse

G D

Boil them cabbage down, down, turn them hoecakes ’round,

G D G

The only song that I can sing is boil them cabbage down.

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 2 chords in the key of G: G D. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2

Practice the changes

Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3

Add the strumming

Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4

Play along

Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Boil Them Cabbage Down"?

You need 2 beginner-friendly chords: G and D.

Is "Boil Them Cabbage Down" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 2 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Boil Them Cabbage Down" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Boil Them Cabbage Down"?

It was written by Traditional.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · D

Boil Them Cabbage Down Chords – Banjo

The simplest banjo/mandolin tune — just two chords. Perfect first song for banjo beginners.

Basic Strum

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: Only two chords: G and D. Focus on the right-hand picking pattern. On banjo, use basic clawhammer: bump-dit-ty.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse

G D

Boil them cabbage down, down, turn them hoecakes ’round,

G D G

The only song that I can sing is boil them cabbage down.

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 2 chords in the key of G: G D. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2

Practice the changes

Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3

Add the strumming

Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4

Play along

Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Boil Them Cabbage Down"?

You need 2 beginner-friendly chords: G and D.

Is "Boil Them Cabbage Down" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 2 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Boil Them Cabbage Down" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Boil Them Cabbage Down"?

It was written by Traditional.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · D

Boil Them Cabbage Down Chords – Mandolin

The simplest banjo/mandolin tune — just two chords. Perfect first song for banjo beginners.

Basic Strum

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: Only two chords: G and D. Focus on the right-hand picking pattern. On banjo, use basic clawhammer: bump-dit-ty.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse

G D

Boil them cabbage down, down, turn them hoecakes ’round,

G D G

The only song that I can sing is boil them cabbage down.

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 2 chords in the key of G: G D. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2

Practice the changes

Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3

Add the strumming

Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4

Play along

Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Boil Them Cabbage Down"?

You need 2 beginner-friendly chords: G and D.

Is "Boil Them Cabbage Down" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 2 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Boil Them Cabbage Down" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Boil Them Cabbage Down"?

It was written by Traditional.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · D

Boil Them Cabbage Down Chords – Harmonica

The simplest banjo/mandolin tune — just two chords. Perfect first song for banjo beginners.

Basic Strum

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: Only two chords: G and D. Focus on the right-hand picking pattern. On banjo, use basic clawhammer: bump-dit-ty.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse

G D

Boil them cabbage down, down, turn them hoecakes ’round,

G D G

The only song that I can sing is boil them cabbage down.

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 2 chords in the key of G: G D. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2

Practice the changes

Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3

Add the strumming

Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4

Play along

Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Boil Them Cabbage Down"?

You need 2 beginner-friendly chords: G and D.

Is "Boil Them Cabbage Down" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 2 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Boil Them Cabbage Down" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Boil Them Cabbage Down"?

It was written by Traditional.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · D

Boil Them Cabbage Down Chords – Violin

The simplest banjo/mandolin tune — just two chords. Perfect first song for banjo beginners.

Basic Strum

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: Only two chords: G and D. Focus on the right-hand picking pattern. On banjo, use basic clawhammer: bump-dit-ty.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse

G D

Boil them cabbage down, down, turn them hoecakes ’round,

G D G

The only song that I can sing is boil them cabbage down.

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 2 chords in the key of G: G D. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2

Practice the changes

Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3

Add the strumming

Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4

Play along

Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Boil Them Cabbage Down"?

You need 2 beginner-friendly chords: G and D.

Is "Boil Them Cabbage Down" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 2 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Boil Them Cabbage Down" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Boil Them Cabbage Down"?

It was written by Traditional.