Folk, Country

City of New Orleans Chords

Arlo Guthrie Beginner Key of G 5 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

City of New Orleans Chords – Guitar

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

City of New Orleans Chords – Ukulele

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

City of New Orleans Chords – Piano

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

City of New Orleans Chords – Banjo

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

City of New Orleans Chords – Mandolin

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

City of New Orleans Chords – Harmonica

Arlo Guthrie’s folk classic about a train journey from Chicago to New Orleans. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Chords used: G, C, D, Em, Am · Key: G · Difficulty: Beginner

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

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Tip: Use a capo on the 3rd fret to match Arlo’s recording key of Bb, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes shown.

Chords & Structure

Full Song

Verse 1

G

C – G – D

G – C

G – D – G

G – C

G – D

G – C

G – D

G – C

G – D

Chorus

G

C – G – D

G

C – G – D – G

Verse 2

G – C

G – D – G

G – C

G – D – G

G – C

G – D

G – C – G

D

G – C

G – D – G

Chorus

G

C – G – D

G

C – G – D – G

Verse 3

G – C

G – D – G

G – C

G – D – G

G – C

G – D

G – C

G – D – G

Chorus

G

C – G – D

G

C – G – D – G

Outro

Em – C – G (×4)

Practice tip: The verses are long; practice the chord progression (G, C, G, D) slowly until you can sing and play without thinking about your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "City of New Orleans"?

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

Is "City of New Orleans" 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 "City of New Orleans" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "City of New Orleans"?

It was written by Steve Goodman, and released in 1972.