Atap to play
Dtap to play
Etap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
A · D · E
Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 psychedelic gospel-rock anthem about a guaranteed place in the afterlife. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.
Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Use a strong, steady downstroke on the beat to mimic the song’s heavy feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
A E
Gonna go to the place that’s the best
A
When I lay me down to die
D E A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Verse 2
A
Prepare yourself you know it’s a must
A E
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
A
So you know that when you die
D E A
He’s gonna recommend you to the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Verse 3
A
Never been a sinner I never sinned
A E
I got a friend in Jesus
A
So you know that when I die
D E A
He’s gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Bridge
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
D E A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
Verse 4
A
Set me up with the spirit in the sky
A E
Set me up with the spirit in the sky
A
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
D E A
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (A, D, E). Master the quick change from A to E, as it’s the most common transition.
Atap to play
Dtap to play
Etap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
A · D · E
Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 psychedelic gospel-rock anthem about a guaranteed place in the afterlife. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.
Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Use a strong, steady downstroke on the beat to mimic the song’s heavy feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
A E
Gonna go to the place that’s the best
A
When I lay me down to die
D E A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Verse 2
A
Prepare yourself you know it’s a must
A E
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
A
So you know that when you die
D E A
He’s gonna recommend you to the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Verse 3
A
Never been a sinner I never sinned
A E
I got a friend in Jesus
A
So you know that when I die
D E A
He’s gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Bridge
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
D E A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
Verse 4
A
Set me up with the spirit in the sky
A E
Set me up with the spirit in the sky
A
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
D E A
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (A, D, E). Master the quick change from A to E, as it’s the most common transition.
Atap to play
Dtap to play
Etap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
A · D · E
Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 psychedelic gospel-rock anthem about a guaranteed place in the afterlife. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.
Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Use a strong, steady downstroke on the beat to mimic the song’s heavy feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
A E
Gonna go to the place that’s the best
A
When I lay me down to die
D E A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Verse 2
A
Prepare yourself you know it’s a must
A E
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
A
So you know that when you die
D E A
He’s gonna recommend you to the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Verse 3
A
Never been a sinner I never sinned
A E
I got a friend in Jesus
A
So you know that when I die
D E A
He’s gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Bridge
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
D E A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
Verse 4
A
Set me up with the spirit in the sky
A E
Set me up with the spirit in the sky
A
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
D E A
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (A, D, E). Master the quick change from A to E, as it’s the most common transition.
Atap to play
Dtap to play
Etap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
A · D · E
Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 psychedelic gospel-rock anthem about a guaranteed place in the afterlife. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.
Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Use a strong, steady downstroke on the beat to mimic the song’s heavy feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
A E
Gonna go to the place that’s the best
A
When I lay me down to die
D E A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Verse 2
A
Prepare yourself you know it’s a must
A E
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
A
So you know that when you die
D E A
He’s gonna recommend you to the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Verse 3
A
Never been a sinner I never sinned
A E
I got a friend in Jesus
A
So you know that when I die
D E A
He’s gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Bridge
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
D E A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
Verse 4
A
Set me up with the spirit in the sky
A E
Set me up with the spirit in the sky
A
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
D E A
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (A, D, E). Master the quick change from A to E, as it’s the most common transition.
Atap to play
Dtap to play
Etap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
A · D · E
Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 psychedelic gospel-rock anthem about a guaranteed place in the afterlife. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.
Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Use a strong, steady downstroke on the beat to mimic the song’s heavy feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
A E
Gonna go to the place that’s the best
A
When I lay me down to die
D E A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Verse 2
A
Prepare yourself you know it’s a must
A E
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
A
So you know that when you die
D E A
He’s gonna recommend you to the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Verse 3
A
Never been a sinner I never sinned
A E
I got a friend in Jesus
A
So you know that when I die
D E A
He’s gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Bridge
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
D E A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
Verse 4
A
Set me up with the spirit in the sky
A E
Set me up with the spirit in the sky
A
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
D E A
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (A, D, E). Master the quick change from A to E, as it’s the most common transition.
Atap to play
Dtap to play
Etap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
A · D · E
Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 psychedelic gospel-rock anthem about a guaranteed place in the afterlife. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.
Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Use a strong, steady downstroke on the beat to mimic the song’s heavy feel.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
A E
Gonna go to the place that’s the best
A
When I lay me down to die
D E A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Verse 2
A
Prepare yourself you know it’s a must
A E
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
A
So you know that when you die
D E A
He’s gonna recommend you to the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Verse 3
A
Never been a sinner I never sinned
A E
I got a friend in Jesus
A
So you know that when I die
D E A
He’s gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Bridge
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
D E A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
Verse 4
A
Set me up with the spirit in the sky
A E
Set me up with the spirit in the sky
A
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
D E A
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Chorus
A
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
E
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
A
When I die and they lay me to rest
D E A
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (A, D, E). Master the quick change from A to E, as it’s the most common transition.