Midnight Special Chords

Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
G · C · D · Em

Midnight Special Chords – Guitar

Lead Belly’s classic folk and blues song about a train bringing hope to prisoners. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a steady, relaxed strum to mimic the rhythm of a train.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G C
Yonder comes Miss Rosie, how in the world do you know?
G D
Well, I know her by her apron and the dress she wears
G C
Umbrella on her shoulder, piece of paper in her hand
G D
Well, I heard her tell the captain, “I want my man”
 

Chorus

 
G C G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
D G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
 

Verse 2

 
G C
When you get up in the mornin’ when that big bell ring
G D
You go a-marchin’ to the table, you see the same damn thing
G C
Knife and fork are on the table, there’s nothin’ in my pan
G D
And if you say a thing about it, you’re in trouble with the man
 

Chorus

 
G C G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
D G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
 

Verse 3

 
G C
If you ever go to Houston, well, you better walk right
G D
Well, you better not stagger and you better not fight
G C
Sheriff Benson will arrest you, he will carry you down
G D
You can bet your bottom dollar, you’re penitentiary bound
 

Chorus

 

[G]Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ [C]light on [G]me
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ [D]light on [G]me
[/verse]

Practice tip: Master the G to C and G to D transitions, as they are the core of the song’s progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Midnight Special"?

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

Is "Midnight Special" 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 "Midnight Special" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Midnight Special"?

It was written by Traditional.

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

Midnight Special Chords – Ukulele

Lead Belly’s classic folk and blues song about a train bringing hope to prisoners. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a steady, relaxed strum to mimic the rhythm of a train.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G C
Yonder comes Miss Rosie, how in the world do you know?
G D
Well, I know her by her apron and the dress she wears
G C
Umbrella on her shoulder, piece of paper in her hand
G D
Well, I heard her tell the captain, “I want my man”
 

Chorus

 
G C G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
D G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
 

Verse 2

 
G C
When you get up in the mornin’ when that big bell ring
G D
You go a-marchin’ to the table, you see the same damn thing
G C
Knife and fork are on the table, there’s nothin’ in my pan
G D
And if you say a thing about it, you’re in trouble with the man
 

Chorus

 
G C G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
D G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
 

Verse 3

 
G C
If you ever go to Houston, well, you better walk right
G D
Well, you better not stagger and you better not fight
G C
Sheriff Benson will arrest you, he will carry you down
G D
You can bet your bottom dollar, you’re penitentiary bound
 

Chorus

 

[G]Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ [C]light on [G]me
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ [D]light on [G]me
[/verse]

Practice tip: Master the G to C and G to D transitions, as they are the core of the song’s progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Midnight Special"?

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

Is "Midnight Special" 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 "Midnight Special" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Midnight Special"?

It was written by Traditional.

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

Midnight Special Chords – Piano

Lead Belly’s classic folk and blues song about a train bringing hope to prisoners. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a steady, relaxed strum to mimic the rhythm of a train.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G C
Yonder comes Miss Rosie, how in the world do you know?
G D
Well, I know her by her apron and the dress she wears
G C
Umbrella on her shoulder, piece of paper in her hand
G D
Well, I heard her tell the captain, “I want my man”
 

Chorus

 
G C G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
D G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
 

Verse 2

 
G C
When you get up in the mornin’ when that big bell ring
G D
You go a-marchin’ to the table, you see the same damn thing
G C
Knife and fork are on the table, there’s nothin’ in my pan
G D
And if you say a thing about it, you’re in trouble with the man
 

Chorus

 
G C G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
D G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
 

Verse 3

 
G C
If you ever go to Houston, well, you better walk right
G D
Well, you better not stagger and you better not fight
G C
Sheriff Benson will arrest you, he will carry you down
G D
You can bet your bottom dollar, you’re penitentiary bound
 

Chorus

 

[G]Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ [C]light on [G]me
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ [D]light on [G]me
[/verse]

Practice tip: Master the G to C and G to D transitions, as they are the core of the song’s progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Midnight Special"?

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

Is "Midnight Special" 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 "Midnight Special" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Midnight Special"?

It was written by Traditional.

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

Midnight Special Chords – Banjo

Lead Belly’s classic folk and blues song about a train bringing hope to prisoners. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a steady, relaxed strum to mimic the rhythm of a train.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G C
Yonder comes Miss Rosie, how in the world do you know?
G D
Well, I know her by her apron and the dress she wears
G C
Umbrella on her shoulder, piece of paper in her hand
G D
Well, I heard her tell the captain, “I want my man”
 

Chorus

 
G C G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
D G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
 

Verse 2

 
G C
When you get up in the mornin’ when that big bell ring
G D
You go a-marchin’ to the table, you see the same damn thing
G C
Knife and fork are on the table, there’s nothin’ in my pan
G D
And if you say a thing about it, you’re in trouble with the man
 

Chorus

 
G C G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
D G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
 

Verse 3

 
G C
If you ever go to Houston, well, you better walk right
G D
Well, you better not stagger and you better not fight
G C
Sheriff Benson will arrest you, he will carry you down
G D
You can bet your bottom dollar, you’re penitentiary bound
 

Chorus

 

[G]Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ [C]light on [G]me
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ [D]light on [G]me
[/verse]

Practice tip: Master the G to C and G to D transitions, as they are the core of the song’s progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Midnight Special"?

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

Is "Midnight Special" 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 "Midnight Special" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Midnight Special"?

It was written by Traditional.

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

Midnight Special Chords – Mandolin

Lead Belly’s classic folk and blues song about a train bringing hope to prisoners. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a steady, relaxed strum to mimic the rhythm of a train.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G C
Yonder comes Miss Rosie, how in the world do you know?
G D
Well, I know her by her apron and the dress she wears
G C
Umbrella on her shoulder, piece of paper in her hand
G D
Well, I heard her tell the captain, “I want my man”
 

Chorus

 
G C G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
D G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
 

Verse 2

 
G C
When you get up in the mornin’ when that big bell ring
G D
You go a-marchin’ to the table, you see the same damn thing
G C
Knife and fork are on the table, there’s nothin’ in my pan
G D
And if you say a thing about it, you’re in trouble with the man
 

Chorus

 
G C G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
D G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
 

Verse 3

 
G C
If you ever go to Houston, well, you better walk right
G D
Well, you better not stagger and you better not fight
G C
Sheriff Benson will arrest you, he will carry you down
G D
You can bet your bottom dollar, you’re penitentiary bound
 

Chorus

 

[G]Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ [C]light on [G]me
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ [D]light on [G]me
[/verse]

Practice tip: Master the G to C and G to D transitions, as they are the core of the song’s progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Midnight Special"?

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

Is "Midnight Special" 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 "Midnight Special" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Midnight Special"?

It was written by Traditional.

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

Midnight Special Chords – Harmonica

Lead Belly’s classic folk and blues song about a train bringing hope to prisoners. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a steady, relaxed strum to mimic the rhythm of a train.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G C
Yonder comes Miss Rosie, how in the world do you know?
G D
Well, I know her by her apron and the dress she wears
G C
Umbrella on her shoulder, piece of paper in her hand
G D
Well, I heard her tell the captain, “I want my man”
 

Chorus

 
G C G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
D G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
 

Verse 2

 
G C
When you get up in the mornin’ when that big bell ring
G D
You go a-marchin’ to the table, you see the same damn thing
G C
Knife and fork are on the table, there’s nothin’ in my pan
G D
And if you say a thing about it, you’re in trouble with the man
 

Chorus

 
G C G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
D G
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ light on me
 

Verse 3

 
G C
If you ever go to Houston, well, you better walk right
G D
Well, you better not stagger and you better not fight
G C
Sheriff Benson will arrest you, he will carry you down
G D
You can bet your bottom dollar, you’re penitentiary bound
 

Chorus

 

[G]Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ [C]light on [G]me
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin’ [D]light on [G]me
[/verse]

Practice tip: Master the G to C and G to D transitions, as they are the core of the song’s progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Midnight Special"?

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

Is "Midnight Special" 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 "Midnight Special" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Midnight Special"?

It was written by Traditional.