Rock

Jack Straw Chords

Grateful Dead Beginner Key of G 5 Chords 4 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · D · Am · C · Em

Jack Straw Chords – Guitar

A classic Grateful Dead song about outlaws on the run, written by Robert Hunter and Bob Weir. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, but these chords are written for open position in G.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

We can share the women, we can share the wine

C G

We can share what we got of yours ’cause we done shared all of mine

D C G

Keep on rollin’, just a mile to go

D C G

Keep on rollin’, my old buddy, you’re movin’ much too slow

Verse 2

G C G

I just jumped the watchman, right outside the fence

C G

Took his ring, four bucks in change, ain’t that heaven sent?

D C G

Hurts my ears to listen, burns my eyes to see

D C G

Cut down a man in cold blood, Shannon, might as well be me

Chorus

C G C

We used to play for silver, now we play for life

G C G

One’s for sport and one’s for blood at the point of a knife

D C G

Now the die is shaken, now the die must fall

D C G C G

There ain’t a winner in this game, who don’t go home with all, not with all

Verse 3

G C G

Leaving Texas, fourth day of July

C G

Sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky

D C G

Catch the Detroit lightning out of Santa Fe

D C G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

Chorus

C G C

We used to play for silver, now we play for life

G C G

One’s for sport and one’s for blood at the point of a knife

D C G

Now the die is shaken, now the die must fall

D C G C G

There ain’t a winner in this game, who don’t go home with all, not with all

Bridge

D C G

Jack Straw from Wichita, he cut his buddy down

D C G

He dug for him a shallow grave and laid his body down

D C G

Half a mile from Tucumcari, left him there to rest

D C G C

He’s headin’ for the great divide, goin’ where the climate suits his clothes

G

He’s goin’ where the water tastes like wine

C

He’s goin’ where the water tastes like wine

G

’Cause he ain’t got the time

Verse 4 / Outro

G C G

Leaving Texas, fourth day of July

C G

Sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky

D C G

Catch the Detroit lightning out of Santa Fe

D C G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

C G G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

Practice tip: The chord progression G-C-G is the backbone of this song; get comfortable switching between these two chords before adding the D and C in the chorus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Jack Straw"?

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

Is "Jack Straw" 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 "Jack Straw" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Jack Straw"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Bob Weir, and released in 1972.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · D · Am · C · Em

Jack Straw Chords – Ukulele

A classic Grateful Dead song about outlaws on the run, written by Robert Hunter and Bob Weir. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, but these chords are written for open position in G.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

We can share the women, we can share the wine

C G

We can share what we got of yours ’cause we done shared all of mine

D C G

Keep on rollin’, just a mile to go

D C G

Keep on rollin’, my old buddy, you’re movin’ much too slow

Verse 2

G C G

I just jumped the watchman, right outside the fence

C G

Took his ring, four bucks in change, ain’t that heaven sent?

D C G

Hurts my ears to listen, burns my eyes to see

D C G

Cut down a man in cold blood, Shannon, might as well be me

Chorus

C G C

We used to play for silver, now we play for life

G C G

One’s for sport and one’s for blood at the point of a knife

D C G

Now the die is shaken, now the die must fall

D C G C G

There ain’t a winner in this game, who don’t go home with all, not with all

Verse 3

G C G

Leaving Texas, fourth day of July

C G

Sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky

D C G

Catch the Detroit lightning out of Santa Fe

D C G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

Chorus

C G C

We used to play for silver, now we play for life

G C G

One’s for sport and one’s for blood at the point of a knife

D C G

Now the die is shaken, now the die must fall

D C G C G

There ain’t a winner in this game, who don’t go home with all, not with all

Bridge

D C G

Jack Straw from Wichita, he cut his buddy down

D C G

He dug for him a shallow grave and laid his body down

D C G

Half a mile from Tucumcari, left him there to rest

D C G C

He’s headin’ for the great divide, goin’ where the climate suits his clothes

G

He’s goin’ where the water tastes like wine

C

He’s goin’ where the water tastes like wine

G

’Cause he ain’t got the time

Verse 4 / Outro

G C G

Leaving Texas, fourth day of July

C G

Sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky

D C G

Catch the Detroit lightning out of Santa Fe

D C G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

C G G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

Practice tip: The chord progression G-C-G is the backbone of this song; get comfortable switching between these two chords before adding the D and C in the chorus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Jack Straw"?

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

Is "Jack Straw" 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 "Jack Straw" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Jack Straw"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Bob Weir, and released in 1972.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · D · Am · C · Em

Jack Straw Chords – Piano

A classic Grateful Dead song about outlaws on the run, written by Robert Hunter and Bob Weir. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, but these chords are written for open position in G.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

We can share the women, we can share the wine

C G

We can share what we got of yours ’cause we done shared all of mine

D C G

Keep on rollin’, just a mile to go

D C G

Keep on rollin’, my old buddy, you’re movin’ much too slow

Verse 2

G C G

I just jumped the watchman, right outside the fence

C G

Took his ring, four bucks in change, ain’t that heaven sent?

D C G

Hurts my ears to listen, burns my eyes to see

D C G

Cut down a man in cold blood, Shannon, might as well be me

Chorus

C G C

We used to play for silver, now we play for life

G C G

One’s for sport and one’s for blood at the point of a knife

D C G

Now the die is shaken, now the die must fall

D C G C G

There ain’t a winner in this game, who don’t go home with all, not with all

Verse 3

G C G

Leaving Texas, fourth day of July

C G

Sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky

D C G

Catch the Detroit lightning out of Santa Fe

D C G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

Chorus

C G C

We used to play for silver, now we play for life

G C G

One’s for sport and one’s for blood at the point of a knife

D C G

Now the die is shaken, now the die must fall

D C G C G

There ain’t a winner in this game, who don’t go home with all, not with all

Bridge

D C G

Jack Straw from Wichita, he cut his buddy down

D C G

He dug for him a shallow grave and laid his body down

D C G

Half a mile from Tucumcari, left him there to rest

D C G C

He’s headin’ for the great divide, goin’ where the climate suits his clothes

G

He’s goin’ where the water tastes like wine

C

He’s goin’ where the water tastes like wine

G

’Cause he ain’t got the time

Verse 4 / Outro

G C G

Leaving Texas, fourth day of July

C G

Sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky

D C G

Catch the Detroit lightning out of Santa Fe

D C G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

C G G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

Practice tip: The chord progression G-C-G is the backbone of this song; get comfortable switching between these two chords before adding the D and C in the chorus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Jack Straw"?

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

Is "Jack Straw" 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 "Jack Straw" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Jack Straw"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Bob Weir, and released in 1972.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · D · Am · C · Em

Jack Straw Chords – Banjo

A classic Grateful Dead song about outlaws on the run, written by Robert Hunter and Bob Weir. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, but these chords are written for open position in G.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

We can share the women, we can share the wine

C G

We can share what we got of yours ’cause we done shared all of mine

D C G

Keep on rollin’, just a mile to go

D C G

Keep on rollin’, my old buddy, you’re movin’ much too slow

Verse 2

G C G

I just jumped the watchman, right outside the fence

C G

Took his ring, four bucks in change, ain’t that heaven sent?

D C G

Hurts my ears to listen, burns my eyes to see

D C G

Cut down a man in cold blood, Shannon, might as well be me

Chorus

C G C

We used to play for silver, now we play for life

G C G

One’s for sport and one’s for blood at the point of a knife

D C G

Now the die is shaken, now the die must fall

D C G C G

There ain’t a winner in this game, who don’t go home with all, not with all

Verse 3

G C G

Leaving Texas, fourth day of July

C G

Sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky

D C G

Catch the Detroit lightning out of Santa Fe

D C G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

Chorus

C G C

We used to play for silver, now we play for life

G C G

One’s for sport and one’s for blood at the point of a knife

D C G

Now the die is shaken, now the die must fall

D C G C G

There ain’t a winner in this game, who don’t go home with all, not with all

Bridge

D C G

Jack Straw from Wichita, he cut his buddy down

D C G

He dug for him a shallow grave and laid his body down

D C G

Half a mile from Tucumcari, left him there to rest

D C G C

He’s headin’ for the great divide, goin’ where the climate suits his clothes

G

He’s goin’ where the water tastes like wine

C

He’s goin’ where the water tastes like wine

G

’Cause he ain’t got the time

Verse 4 / Outro

G C G

Leaving Texas, fourth day of July

C G

Sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky

D C G

Catch the Detroit lightning out of Santa Fe

D C G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

C G G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

Practice tip: The chord progression G-C-G is the backbone of this song; get comfortable switching between these two chords before adding the D and C in the chorus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Jack Straw"?

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

Is "Jack Straw" 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 "Jack Straw" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Jack Straw"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Bob Weir, and released in 1972.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · D · Am · C · Em

Jack Straw Chords – Mandolin

A classic Grateful Dead song about outlaws on the run, written by Robert Hunter and Bob Weir. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, but these chords are written for open position in G.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

We can share the women, we can share the wine

C G

We can share what we got of yours ’cause we done shared all of mine

D C G

Keep on rollin’, just a mile to go

D C G

Keep on rollin’, my old buddy, you’re movin’ much too slow

Verse 2

G C G

I just jumped the watchman, right outside the fence

C G

Took his ring, four bucks in change, ain’t that heaven sent?

D C G

Hurts my ears to listen, burns my eyes to see

D C G

Cut down a man in cold blood, Shannon, might as well be me

Chorus

C G C

We used to play for silver, now we play for life

G C G

One’s for sport and one’s for blood at the point of a knife

D C G

Now the die is shaken, now the die must fall

D C G C G

There ain’t a winner in this game, who don’t go home with all, not with all

Verse 3

G C G

Leaving Texas, fourth day of July

C G

Sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky

D C G

Catch the Detroit lightning out of Santa Fe

D C G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

Chorus

C G C

We used to play for silver, now we play for life

G C G

One’s for sport and one’s for blood at the point of a knife

D C G

Now the die is shaken, now the die must fall

D C G C G

There ain’t a winner in this game, who don’t go home with all, not with all

Bridge

D C G

Jack Straw from Wichita, he cut his buddy down

D C G

He dug for him a shallow grave and laid his body down

D C G

Half a mile from Tucumcari, left him there to rest

D C G C

He’s headin’ for the great divide, goin’ where the climate suits his clothes

G

He’s goin’ where the water tastes like wine

C

He’s goin’ where the water tastes like wine

G

’Cause he ain’t got the time

Verse 4 / Outro

G C G

Leaving Texas, fourth day of July

C G

Sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky

D C G

Catch the Detroit lightning out of Santa Fe

D C G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

C G G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

Practice tip: The chord progression G-C-G is the backbone of this song; get comfortable switching between these two chords before adding the D and C in the chorus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Jack Straw"?

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

Is "Jack Straw" 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 "Jack Straw" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Jack Straw"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Bob Weir, and released in 1972.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · D · Am · C · Em

Jack Straw Chords – Harmonica

A classic Grateful Dead song about outlaws on the run, written by Robert Hunter and Bob Weir. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, but these chords are written for open position in G.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

We can share the women, we can share the wine

C G

We can share what we got of yours ’cause we done shared all of mine

D C G

Keep on rollin’, just a mile to go

D C G

Keep on rollin’, my old buddy, you’re movin’ much too slow

Verse 2

G C G

I just jumped the watchman, right outside the fence

C G

Took his ring, four bucks in change, ain’t that heaven sent?

D C G

Hurts my ears to listen, burns my eyes to see

D C G

Cut down a man in cold blood, Shannon, might as well be me

Chorus

C G C

We used to play for silver, now we play for life

G C G

One’s for sport and one’s for blood at the point of a knife

D C G

Now the die is shaken, now the die must fall

D C G C G

There ain’t a winner in this game, who don’t go home with all, not with all

Verse 3

G C G

Leaving Texas, fourth day of July

C G

Sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky

D C G

Catch the Detroit lightning out of Santa Fe

D C G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

Chorus

C G C

We used to play for silver, now we play for life

G C G

One’s for sport and one’s for blood at the point of a knife

D C G

Now the die is shaken, now the die must fall

D C G C G

There ain’t a winner in this game, who don’t go home with all, not with all

Bridge

D C G

Jack Straw from Wichita, he cut his buddy down

D C G

He dug for him a shallow grave and laid his body down

D C G

Half a mile from Tucumcari, left him there to rest

D C G C

He’s headin’ for the great divide, goin’ where the climate suits his clothes

G

He’s goin’ where the water tastes like wine

C

He’s goin’ where the water tastes like wine

G

’Cause he ain’t got the time

Verse 4 / Outro

G C G

Leaving Texas, fourth day of July

C G

Sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky

D C G

Catch the Detroit lightning out of Santa Fe

D C G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

C G G

Great Northern out of Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea

Practice tip: The chord progression G-C-G is the backbone of this song; get comfortable switching between these two chords before adding the D and C in the chorus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Jack Straw"?

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

Is "Jack Straw" 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 "Jack Straw" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Jack Straw"?

It was written by Robert Hunter, Bob Weir, and released in 1972.