Country

Ring of Fire Chords

Johnny Cash Beginner Key of G 3 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D

Ring of Fire Chords – Guitar

Johnny Cash’s country classic with its distinctive mariachi-style horn line. Three chords and a driving rhythm create one of country music’s most recognizable songs.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: Add a boom-chicka rhythm: bass note on beats 1 and 3, strum on 2 and 4. This is the classic Johnny Cash train-beat style.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need G, C, and D. Simple major chords that give the song its bright, major-key sound.

2

Get the boom-chicka rhythm

Johnny Cash songs use a distinctive bass-strum pattern. Hit the bass note, then strum the upper strings. Alternate for the train-beat feel.

3

Learn the form

Verse: G-C-G. Chorus: G-D-G-C-G. The chord changes are slow and predictable.

4

Channel the Man in Black

Play with authority and keep your rhythm rock-solid. Cash’s music is all about the groove being absolutely steady.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Guitar Version

Verse 1

G C G

Love is a burning thing

C G

And it makes a fiery ring

G C G

Bound by wild desire

C G

I fell into a ring of fire

Chorus

D C G

I fell in to a burning ring of fire

D C G

I went down, down, down and the flames went higher

G

And it burns, burns, burns

C G D G

The ring of fire, the ring of fire

Practice tip: Practice the boom-chicka pattern on just the G chord for 5 minutes. Get it so steady you could walk to it. That rhythm IS this song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ring of Fire"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "Ring of Fire" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Ring of Fire" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ring of Fire"?

It was written by Johnny Cash.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D

Ring of Fire Chords – Ukulele

Johnny Cash’s country classic with its distinctive mariachi-style horn line. Three chords and a driving rhythm create one of country music’s most recognizable songs.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: Add a boom-chicka rhythm: bass note on beats 1 and 3, strum on 2 and 4. This is the classic Johnny Cash train-beat style.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need G, C, and D. Simple major chords that give the song its bright, major-key sound.

2

Get the boom-chicka rhythm

Johnny Cash songs use a distinctive bass-strum pattern. Hit the bass note, then strum the upper strings. Alternate for the train-beat feel.

3

Learn the form

Verse: G-C-G. Chorus: G-D-G-C-G. The chord changes are slow and predictable.

4

Channel the Man in Black

Play with authority and keep your rhythm rock-solid. Cash’s music is all about the groove being absolutely steady.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Ukulele Version

Verse 1

G C G

Love is a burning thing

C G

And it makes a fiery ring

G C G

Bound by wild desire

C G

I fell into a ring of fire

Chorus

D C G

I fell in to a burning ring of fire

D C G

I went down, down, down and the flames went higher

G

And it burns, burns, burns

C G D G

The ring of fire, the ring of fire

Practice tip: Practice the boom-chicka pattern on just the G chord for 5 minutes. Get it so steady you could walk to it. That rhythm IS this song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ring of Fire"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "Ring of Fire" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Ring of Fire" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ring of Fire"?

It was written by Johnny Cash.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D

Ring of Fire Chords – Piano

Johnny Cash’s country classic with its distinctive mariachi-style horn line. Three chords and a driving rhythm create one of country music’s most recognizable songs.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: Add a boom-chicka rhythm: bass note on beats 1 and 3, strum on 2 and 4. This is the classic Johnny Cash train-beat style.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need G, C, and D. Simple major chords that give the song its bright, major-key sound.

2

Get the boom-chicka rhythm

Johnny Cash songs use a distinctive bass-strum pattern. Hit the bass note, then strum the upper strings. Alternate for the train-beat feel.

3

Learn the form

Verse: G-C-G. Chorus: G-D-G-C-G. The chord changes are slow and predictable.

4

Channel the Man in Black

Play with authority and keep your rhythm rock-solid. Cash’s music is all about the groove being absolutely steady.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Piano Version

Verse 1

G C G

Love is a burning thing

C G

And it makes a fiery ring

G C G

Bound by wild desire

C G

I fell into a ring of fire

Chorus

D C G

I fell in to a burning ring of fire

D C G

I went down, down, down and the flames went higher

G

And it burns, burns, burns

C G D G

The ring of fire, the ring of fire

Practice tip: Practice the boom-chicka pattern on just the G chord for 5 minutes. Get it so steady you could walk to it. That rhythm IS this song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ring of Fire"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "Ring of Fire" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Ring of Fire" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ring of Fire"?

It was written by Johnny Cash.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D

Ring of Fire Chords – Banjo

Johnny Cash’s country classic with its distinctive mariachi-style horn line. Three chords and a driving rhythm create one of country music’s most recognizable songs.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: Add a boom-chicka rhythm: bass note on beats 1 and 3, strum on 2 and 4. This is the classic Johnny Cash train-beat style.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need G, C, and D. Simple major chords that give the song its bright, major-key sound.

2

Get the boom-chicka rhythm

Johnny Cash songs use a distinctive bass-strum pattern. Hit the bass note, then strum the upper strings. Alternate for the train-beat feel.

3

Learn the form

Verse: G-C-G. Chorus: G-D-G-C-G. The chord changes are slow and predictable.

4

Channel the Man in Black

Play with authority and keep your rhythm rock-solid. Cash’s music is all about the groove being absolutely steady.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Banjo Version

Verse 1

G C G

Love is a burning thing

C G

And it makes a fiery ring

G C G

Bound by wild desire

C G

I fell into a ring of fire

Chorus

D C G

I fell in to a burning ring of fire

D C G

I went down, down, down and the flames went higher

G

And it burns, burns, burns

C G D G

The ring of fire, the ring of fire

Practice tip: Practice the boom-chicka pattern on just the G chord for 5 minutes. Get it so steady you could walk to it. That rhythm IS this song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ring of Fire"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "Ring of Fire" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Ring of Fire" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ring of Fire"?

It was written by Johnny Cash.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D

Ring of Fire Chords – Mandolin

Johnny Cash’s country classic with its distinctive mariachi-style horn line. Three chords and a driving rhythm create one of country music’s most recognizable songs.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: Add a boom-chicka rhythm: bass note on beats 1 and 3, strum on 2 and 4. This is the classic Johnny Cash train-beat style.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need G, C, and D. Simple major chords that give the song its bright, major-key sound.

2

Get the boom-chicka rhythm

Johnny Cash songs use a distinctive bass-strum pattern. Hit the bass note, then strum the upper strings. Alternate for the train-beat feel.

3

Learn the form

Verse: G-C-G. Chorus: G-D-G-C-G. The chord changes are slow and predictable.

4

Channel the Man in Black

Play with authority and keep your rhythm rock-solid. Cash’s music is all about the groove being absolutely steady.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Mandolin Version

Verse 1

G C G

Love is a burning thing

C G

And it makes a fiery ring

G C G

Bound by wild desire

C G

I fell into a ring of fire

Chorus

D C G

I fell in to a burning ring of fire

D C G

I went down, down, down and the flames went higher

G

And it burns, burns, burns

C G D G

The ring of fire, the ring of fire

Practice tip: Practice the boom-chicka pattern on just the G chord for 5 minutes. Get it so steady you could walk to it. That rhythm IS this song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ring of Fire"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "Ring of Fire" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Ring of Fire" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ring of Fire"?

It was written by Johnny Cash.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D

Ring of Fire Chords – Harmonica

Johnny Cash’s country classic with its distinctive mariachi-style horn line. Three chords and a driving rhythm create one of country music’s most recognizable songs.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑

1234

Tip: Add a boom-chicka rhythm: bass note on beats 1 and 3, strum on 2 and 4. This is the classic Johnny Cash train-beat style.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need G, C, and D. Simple major chords that give the song its bright, major-key sound.

2

Get the boom-chicka rhythm

Johnny Cash songs use a distinctive bass-strum pattern. Hit the bass note, then strum the upper strings. Alternate for the train-beat feel.

3

Learn the form

Verse: G-C-G. Chorus: G-D-G-C-G. The chord changes are slow and predictable.

4

Channel the Man in Black

Play with authority and keep your rhythm rock-solid. Cash’s music is all about the groove being absolutely steady.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Harmonica Version

Verse 1

G C G

Love is a burning thing

C G

And it makes a fiery ring

G C G

Bound by wild desire

C G

I fell into a ring of fire

Chorus

D C G

I fell in to a burning ring of fire

D C G

I went down, down, down and the flames went higher

G

And it burns, burns, burns

C G D G

The ring of fire, the ring of fire

Practice tip: Practice the boom-chicka pattern on just the G chord for 5 minutes. Get it so steady you could walk to it. That rhythm IS this song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ring of Fire"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "Ring of Fire" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Ring of Fire" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ring of Fire"?

It was written by Johnny Cash.