Folk

Sweet Baby James Chords

James Taylor Beginner Key of G 5 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Sweet Baby James Chords – Guitar

James Taylor’s gentle folk ballad about a lonesome cowboy on a winter’s evening. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s calm, storytelling feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

There is a young cowboy, he lives on the range

C G Em

His horse and his cattle are his only companions

Am C

He works in the saddle and he sleeps in the canyons

G D

Waiting for summer, his pastures to change

Verse 2

G

And as the moon rises he sits by his fire

C G Em

Thinking about women and glass of good whiskey

Am C

And waiting for morning and feeling the hunger

G D

Waiting for daylight to go on his way

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Verse 3

G

Now the first of December was covered with snow

C G Em

And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston

Am C

Though the Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting

G D

With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Bridge

Am C G Em

Now the moonlight’s bright on the meadow

Am C G D

And the snow on the mountain will soon be gone

Am C G Em

And the first of December was covered with snow

Am C G D

And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Practice tip: The bridge uses the same chord shapes as the rest of the song, just in a different order; practice the Am-to-C transition slowly to keep the flow steady.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sweet Baby James"?

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

Is "Sweet Baby James" 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 "Sweet Baby James" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Sweet Baby James"?

It was written by James Taylor, and released in 1970.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Sweet Baby James Chords – Ukulele

James Taylor’s gentle folk ballad about a lonesome cowboy on a winter’s evening. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s calm, storytelling feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

There is a young cowboy, he lives on the range

C G Em

His horse and his cattle are his only companions

Am C

He works in the saddle and he sleeps in the canyons

G D

Waiting for summer, his pastures to change

Verse 2

G

And as the moon rises he sits by his fire

C G Em

Thinking about women and glass of good whiskey

Am C

And waiting for morning and feeling the hunger

G D

Waiting for daylight to go on his way

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Verse 3

G

Now the first of December was covered with snow

C G Em

And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston

Am C

Though the Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting

G D

With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Bridge

Am C G Em

Now the moonlight’s bright on the meadow

Am C G D

And the snow on the mountain will soon be gone

Am C G Em

And the first of December was covered with snow

Am C G D

And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Practice tip: The bridge uses the same chord shapes as the rest of the song, just in a different order; practice the Am-to-C transition slowly to keep the flow steady.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sweet Baby James"?

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

Is "Sweet Baby James" 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 "Sweet Baby James" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Sweet Baby James"?

It was written by James Taylor, and released in 1970.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Sweet Baby James Chords – Piano

James Taylor’s gentle folk ballad about a lonesome cowboy on a winter’s evening. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s calm, storytelling feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

There is a young cowboy, he lives on the range

C G Em

His horse and his cattle are his only companions

Am C

He works in the saddle and he sleeps in the canyons

G D

Waiting for summer, his pastures to change

Verse 2

G

And as the moon rises he sits by his fire

C G Em

Thinking about women and glass of good whiskey

Am C

And waiting for morning and feeling the hunger

G D

Waiting for daylight to go on his way

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Verse 3

G

Now the first of December was covered with snow

C G Em

And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston

Am C

Though the Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting

G D

With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Bridge

Am C G Em

Now the moonlight’s bright on the meadow

Am C G D

And the snow on the mountain will soon be gone

Am C G Em

And the first of December was covered with snow

Am C G D

And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Practice tip: The bridge uses the same chord shapes as the rest of the song, just in a different order; practice the Am-to-C transition slowly to keep the flow steady.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sweet Baby James"?

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

Is "Sweet Baby James" 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 "Sweet Baby James" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Sweet Baby James"?

It was written by James Taylor, and released in 1970.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Sweet Baby James Chords – Banjo

James Taylor’s gentle folk ballad about a lonesome cowboy on a winter’s evening. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s calm, storytelling feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

There is a young cowboy, he lives on the range

C G Em

His horse and his cattle are his only companions

Am C

He works in the saddle and he sleeps in the canyons

G D

Waiting for summer, his pastures to change

Verse 2

G

And as the moon rises he sits by his fire

C G Em

Thinking about women and glass of good whiskey

Am C

And waiting for morning and feeling the hunger

G D

Waiting for daylight to go on his way

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Verse 3

G

Now the first of December was covered with snow

C G Em

And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston

Am C

Though the Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting

G D

With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Bridge

Am C G Em

Now the moonlight’s bright on the meadow

Am C G D

And the snow on the mountain will soon be gone

Am C G Em

And the first of December was covered with snow

Am C G D

And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Practice tip: The bridge uses the same chord shapes as the rest of the song, just in a different order; practice the Am-to-C transition slowly to keep the flow steady.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sweet Baby James"?

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

Is "Sweet Baby James" 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 "Sweet Baby James" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Sweet Baby James"?

It was written by James Taylor, and released in 1970.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Sweet Baby James Chords – Mandolin

James Taylor’s gentle folk ballad about a lonesome cowboy on a winter’s evening. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s calm, storytelling feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

There is a young cowboy, he lives on the range

C G Em

His horse and his cattle are his only companions

Am C

He works in the saddle and he sleeps in the canyons

G D

Waiting for summer, his pastures to change

Verse 2

G

And as the moon rises he sits by his fire

C G Em

Thinking about women and glass of good whiskey

Am C

And waiting for morning and feeling the hunger

G D

Waiting for daylight to go on his way

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Verse 3

G

Now the first of December was covered with snow

C G Em

And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston

Am C

Though the Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting

G D

With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Bridge

Am C G Em

Now the moonlight’s bright on the meadow

Am C G D

And the snow on the mountain will soon be gone

Am C G Em

And the first of December was covered with snow

Am C G D

And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Practice tip: The bridge uses the same chord shapes as the rest of the song, just in a different order; practice the Am-to-C transition slowly to keep the flow steady.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sweet Baby James"?

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

Is "Sweet Baby James" 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 "Sweet Baby James" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Sweet Baby James"?

It was written by James Taylor, and released in 1970.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Sweet Baby James Chords – Harmonica

James Taylor’s gentle folk ballad about a lonesome cowboy on a winter’s evening. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s calm, storytelling feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

There is a young cowboy, he lives on the range

C G Em

His horse and his cattle are his only companions

Am C

He works in the saddle and he sleeps in the canyons

G D

Waiting for summer, his pastures to change

Verse 2

G

And as the moon rises he sits by his fire

C G Em

Thinking about women and glass of good whiskey

Am C

And waiting for morning and feeling the hunger

G D

Waiting for daylight to go on his way

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Verse 3

G

Now the first of December was covered with snow

C G Em

And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston

Am C

Though the Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting

G D

With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Bridge

Am C G Em

Now the moonlight’s bright on the meadow

Am C G D

And the snow on the mountain will soon be gone

Am C G Em

And the first of December was covered with snow

Am C G D

And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston

Chorus

C

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

G

Rock-a-bye sweet baby James

D

Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose

G

Won’t you let me go down in my dreams

C G

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Practice tip: The bridge uses the same chord shapes as the rest of the song, just in a different order; practice the Am-to-C transition slowly to keep the flow steady.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sweet Baby James"?

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

Is "Sweet Baby James" 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 "Sweet Baby James" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Sweet Baby James"?

It was written by James Taylor, and released in 1970.