Country

Silver Wings Chords

Merle Haggard Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Silver Wings Chords – Guitar

Merle Haggard’s classic country ballad about the pain of watching a lover depart by airplane. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Country Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady strum to match the song’s melancholy feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Verse 2

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Bridge

Am C

Don’t leave me, I’m cryin’ here all alone

Am C

Please don’t take the one I love

Am C

Don’t leave me, I’m cryin’ here all alone

Am C

Please don’t take the one I love

Verse 3

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Practice tip: The chords G, C, D, and Am are the only ones used. Practice switching between G and C smoothly, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Silver Wings"?

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

Is "Silver Wings" 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 "Silver Wings" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Silver Wings"?

It was written by Merle Haggard, and released in 1969.

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

Silver Wings Chords – Ukulele

Merle Haggard’s classic country ballad about the pain of watching a lover depart by airplane. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Country Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady strum to match the song’s melancholy feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Verse 2

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Bridge

Am C

Don’t leave me, I’m cryin’ here all alone

Am C

Please don’t take the one I love

Am C

Don’t leave me, I’m cryin’ here all alone

Am C

Please don’t take the one I love

Verse 3

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Practice tip: The chords G, C, D, and Am are the only ones used. Practice switching between G and C smoothly, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Silver Wings"?

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

Is "Silver Wings" 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 "Silver Wings" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Silver Wings"?

It was written by Merle Haggard, and released in 1969.

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

Silver Wings Chords – Piano

Merle Haggard’s classic country ballad about the pain of watching a lover depart by airplane. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Country Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady strum to match the song’s melancholy feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Verse 2

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Bridge

Am C

Don’t leave me, I’m cryin’ here all alone

Am C

Please don’t take the one I love

Am C

Don’t leave me, I’m cryin’ here all alone

Am C

Please don’t take the one I love

Verse 3

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Practice tip: The chords G, C, D, and Am are the only ones used. Practice switching between G and C smoothly, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Silver Wings"?

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

Is "Silver Wings" 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 "Silver Wings" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Silver Wings"?

It was written by Merle Haggard, and released in 1969.

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

Silver Wings Chords – Banjo

Merle Haggard’s classic country ballad about the pain of watching a lover depart by airplane. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Country Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady strum to match the song’s melancholy feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Verse 2

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Bridge

Am C

Don’t leave me, I’m cryin’ here all alone

Am C

Please don’t take the one I love

Am C

Don’t leave me, I’m cryin’ here all alone

Am C

Please don’t take the one I love

Verse 3

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Practice tip: The chords G, C, D, and Am are the only ones used. Practice switching between G and C smoothly, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Silver Wings"?

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

Is "Silver Wings" 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 "Silver Wings" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Silver Wings"?

It was written by Merle Haggard, and released in 1969.

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

Silver Wings Chords – Mandolin

Merle Haggard’s classic country ballad about the pain of watching a lover depart by airplane. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Country Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady strum to match the song’s melancholy feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Verse 2

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Bridge

Am C

Don’t leave me, I’m cryin’ here all alone

Am C

Please don’t take the one I love

Am C

Don’t leave me, I’m cryin’ here all alone

Am C

Please don’t take the one I love

Verse 3

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Practice tip: The chords G, C, D, and Am are the only ones used. Practice switching between G and C smoothly, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Silver Wings"?

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

Is "Silver Wings" 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 "Silver Wings" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Silver Wings"?

It was written by Merle Haggard, and released in 1969.

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

Silver Wings Chords – Harmonica

Merle Haggard’s classic country ballad about the pain of watching a lover depart by airplane. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Country Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady strum to match the song’s melancholy feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Verse 2

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Bridge

Am C

Don’t leave me, I’m cryin’ here all alone

Am C

Please don’t take the one I love

Am C

Don’t leave me, I’m cryin’ here all alone

Am C

Please don’t take the one I love

Verse 3

G C

Silver wings shining in the sunlight

G D

Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight

G C

They’re taking you away and leaving me lonely

G D G

Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Chorus

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I’m living for

C G

Silver wings, don’t take her away

D G

Don’t take the one I love

Practice tip: The chords G, C, D, and Am are the only ones used. Practice switching between G and C smoothly, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Silver Wings"?

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

Is "Silver Wings" 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 "Silver Wings" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Silver Wings"?

It was written by Merle Haggard, and released in 1969.