Country, Folk

Cowpoke Chords

Stan Jones Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

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Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Cowpoke Chords – Guitar

Stan Jones’s classic cowboy ballad about a wandering ranch hand. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Western Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady strum to mimic a horse’s trot.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I’m a lonesome cowpoke, I’ve ridden all day

G D

I’ve ridden the grub line, the long weary way

G C

I’m a long way from nowhere, with nowhere to go

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Verse 2

G C

I’ve punched cows in Texas and up in Montan’

G D

I’ve followed the railroad from Cheyenne to Cheyenne

G C

I’ve slept in my slicker when the northern winds blow

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Verse 3

G C

My feet’s in the stirrups, my hat’s on the crown

G D

My rope’s on the saddle, I’m leavin’ this town

G C

I’m ridin’ and driftin’ where the wild goose goes

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Practice tip: Master the G to C and G to D transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Cowpoke"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Cowpoke" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Cowpoke" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Cowpoke"?

It was written by Stan Jones, and released in 1952.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Cowpoke Chords – Ukulele

Stan Jones’s classic cowboy ballad about a wandering ranch hand. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Western Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady strum to mimic a horse’s trot.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I’m a lonesome cowpoke, I’ve ridden all day

G D

I’ve ridden the grub line, the long weary way

G C

I’m a long way from nowhere, with nowhere to go

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Verse 2

G C

I’ve punched cows in Texas and up in Montan’

G D

I’ve followed the railroad from Cheyenne to Cheyenne

G C

I’ve slept in my slicker when the northern winds blow

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Verse 3

G C

My feet’s in the stirrups, my hat’s on the crown

G D

My rope’s on the saddle, I’m leavin’ this town

G C

I’m ridin’ and driftin’ where the wild goose goes

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Practice tip: Master the G to C and G to D transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Cowpoke"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Cowpoke" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Cowpoke" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Cowpoke"?

It was written by Stan Jones, and released in 1952.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Cowpoke Chords – Piano

Stan Jones’s classic cowboy ballad about a wandering ranch hand. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Western Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady strum to mimic a horse’s trot.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I’m a lonesome cowpoke, I’ve ridden all day

G D

I’ve ridden the grub line, the long weary way

G C

I’m a long way from nowhere, with nowhere to go

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Verse 2

G C

I’ve punched cows in Texas and up in Montan’

G D

I’ve followed the railroad from Cheyenne to Cheyenne

G C

I’ve slept in my slicker when the northern winds blow

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Verse 3

G C

My feet’s in the stirrups, my hat’s on the crown

G D

My rope’s on the saddle, I’m leavin’ this town

G C

I’m ridin’ and driftin’ where the wild goose goes

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Practice tip: Master the G to C and G to D transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Cowpoke"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Cowpoke" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Cowpoke" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Cowpoke"?

It was written by Stan Jones, and released in 1952.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Cowpoke Chords – Banjo

Stan Jones’s classic cowboy ballad about a wandering ranch hand. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Western Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady strum to mimic a horse’s trot.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I’m a lonesome cowpoke, I’ve ridden all day

G D

I’ve ridden the grub line, the long weary way

G C

I’m a long way from nowhere, with nowhere to go

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Verse 2

G C

I’ve punched cows in Texas and up in Montan’

G D

I’ve followed the railroad from Cheyenne to Cheyenne

G C

I’ve slept in my slicker when the northern winds blow

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Verse 3

G C

My feet’s in the stirrups, my hat’s on the crown

G D

My rope’s on the saddle, I’m leavin’ this town

G C

I’m ridin’ and driftin’ where the wild goose goes

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Practice tip: Master the G to C and G to D transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Cowpoke"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Cowpoke" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Cowpoke" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Cowpoke"?

It was written by Stan Jones, and released in 1952.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Cowpoke Chords – Mandolin

Stan Jones’s classic cowboy ballad about a wandering ranch hand. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Western Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady strum to mimic a horse’s trot.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I’m a lonesome cowpoke, I’ve ridden all day

G D

I’ve ridden the grub line, the long weary way

G C

I’m a long way from nowhere, with nowhere to go

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Verse 2

G C

I’ve punched cows in Texas and up in Montan’

G D

I’ve followed the railroad from Cheyenne to Cheyenne

G C

I’ve slept in my slicker when the northern winds blow

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Verse 3

G C

My feet’s in the stirrups, my hat’s on the crown

G D

My rope’s on the saddle, I’m leavin’ this town

G C

I’m ridin’ and driftin’ where the wild goose goes

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Practice tip: Master the G to C and G to D transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Cowpoke"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Cowpoke" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Cowpoke" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Cowpoke"?

It was written by Stan Jones, and released in 1952.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Cowpoke Chords – Harmonica

Stan Jones’s classic cowboy ballad about a wandering ranch hand. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Western Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady strum to mimic a horse’s trot.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I’m a lonesome cowpoke, I’ve ridden all day

G D

I’ve ridden the grub line, the long weary way

G C

I’m a long way from nowhere, with nowhere to go

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Verse 2

G C

I’ve punched cows in Texas and up in Montan’

G D

I’ve followed the railroad from Cheyenne to Cheyenne

G C

I’ve slept in my slicker when the northern winds blow

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Verse 3

G C

My feet’s in the stirrups, my hat’s on the crown

G D

My rope’s on the saddle, I’m leavin’ this town

G C

I’m ridin’ and driftin’ where the wild goose goes

G D G

And I’m wishing and hoping for a place I don’t know

Chorus

C G D

Oh, give me a horse and a good ridin’ outfit

C G

A good pair of boots and a saddle that fits

C G D

A good stretch of country where the sagebrush grows tall

G D

And I’ll quit this cowpoke life in the fall

Practice tip: Master the G to C and G to D transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Cowpoke"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Cowpoke" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Cowpoke" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Cowpoke"?

It was written by Stan Jones, and released in 1952.