Country, Folk

The Sick Chords

Zach Bryan Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

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Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em

The Sick Chords – Guitar

A reflective and somber song by Zach Bryan about grappling with inner turmoil and the passage of time. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, while still playing the G-shaped chords shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

I’ve been sick for quite some time now

C G

And I don’t know what it is

D G

I’ve been trying to get my mind right

C G

Since the day that I turned twenty-six

D G

I’ve been trying to get my mind right

C G

Since the day that I turned twenty-six

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Verse 2

G

I’ve been thinking ’bout my daddy

C G

And the way he used to talk

D G

He said, “Son, you’re gonna make it

C G

But you’re gonna take some knocks”

D G

He said, “Son, you’re gonna make it

C G

But you’re gonna take some knocks”

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Bridge

Em C

And I’ve been thinking ’bout the ocean

G D

And the way it pulls the tide

Em C

I’ve been thinking ’bout the notion

G D

That we all have got to die

Verse 3

G

I’ve been dreaming of the mountains

C G

And the way they touch the sky

D G

I’ve been dreaming of a simple life

C G

Before I say goodbye

D G

I’ve been dreaming of a simple life

C G

Before I say goodbye

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Practice tip: The verses use a repeating two-line pattern. Practice the G to C transition until it feels natural, as it’s the most common change in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Sick"?

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

Is "The Sick" 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 "The Sick" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Sick"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2024.

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

The Sick Chords – Ukulele

A reflective and somber song by Zach Bryan about grappling with inner turmoil and the passage of time. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, while still playing the G-shaped chords shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

I’ve been sick for quite some time now

C G

And I don’t know what it is

D G

I’ve been trying to get my mind right

C G

Since the day that I turned twenty-six

D G

I’ve been trying to get my mind right

C G

Since the day that I turned twenty-six

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Verse 2

G

I’ve been thinking ’bout my daddy

C G

And the way he used to talk

D G

He said, “Son, you’re gonna make it

C G

But you’re gonna take some knocks”

D G

He said, “Son, you’re gonna make it

C G

But you’re gonna take some knocks”

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Bridge

Em C

And I’ve been thinking ’bout the ocean

G D

And the way it pulls the tide

Em C

I’ve been thinking ’bout the notion

G D

That we all have got to die

Verse 3

G

I’ve been dreaming of the mountains

C G

And the way they touch the sky

D G

I’ve been dreaming of a simple life

C G

Before I say goodbye

D G

I’ve been dreaming of a simple life

C G

Before I say goodbye

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Practice tip: The verses use a repeating two-line pattern. Practice the G to C transition until it feels natural, as it’s the most common change in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Sick"?

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

Is "The Sick" 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 "The Sick" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Sick"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2024.

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

The Sick Chords – Piano

A reflective and somber song by Zach Bryan about grappling with inner turmoil and the passage of time. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, while still playing the G-shaped chords shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

I’ve been sick for quite some time now

C G

And I don’t know what it is

D G

I’ve been trying to get my mind right

C G

Since the day that I turned twenty-six

D G

I’ve been trying to get my mind right

C G

Since the day that I turned twenty-six

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Verse 2

G

I’ve been thinking ’bout my daddy

C G

And the way he used to talk

D G

He said, “Son, you’re gonna make it

C G

But you’re gonna take some knocks”

D G

He said, “Son, you’re gonna make it

C G

But you’re gonna take some knocks”

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Bridge

Em C

And I’ve been thinking ’bout the ocean

G D

And the way it pulls the tide

Em C

I’ve been thinking ’bout the notion

G D

That we all have got to die

Verse 3

G

I’ve been dreaming of the mountains

C G

And the way they touch the sky

D G

I’ve been dreaming of a simple life

C G

Before I say goodbye

D G

I’ve been dreaming of a simple life

C G

Before I say goodbye

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Practice tip: The verses use a repeating two-line pattern. Practice the G to C transition until it feels natural, as it’s the most common change in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Sick"?

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

Is "The Sick" 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 "The Sick" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Sick"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2024.

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

The Sick Chords – Banjo

A reflective and somber song by Zach Bryan about grappling with inner turmoil and the passage of time. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, while still playing the G-shaped chords shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

I’ve been sick for quite some time now

C G

And I don’t know what it is

D G

I’ve been trying to get my mind right

C G

Since the day that I turned twenty-six

D G

I’ve been trying to get my mind right

C G

Since the day that I turned twenty-six

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Verse 2

G

I’ve been thinking ’bout my daddy

C G

And the way he used to talk

D G

He said, “Son, you’re gonna make it

C G

But you’re gonna take some knocks”

D G

He said, “Son, you’re gonna make it

C G

But you’re gonna take some knocks”

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Bridge

Em C

And I’ve been thinking ’bout the ocean

G D

And the way it pulls the tide

Em C

I’ve been thinking ’bout the notion

G D

That we all have got to die

Verse 3

G

I’ve been dreaming of the mountains

C G

And the way they touch the sky

D G

I’ve been dreaming of a simple life

C G

Before I say goodbye

D G

I’ve been dreaming of a simple life

C G

Before I say goodbye

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Practice tip: The verses use a repeating two-line pattern. Practice the G to C transition until it feels natural, as it’s the most common change in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Sick"?

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

Is "The Sick" 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 "The Sick" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Sick"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2024.

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

The Sick Chords – Mandolin

A reflective and somber song by Zach Bryan about grappling with inner turmoil and the passage of time. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, while still playing the G-shaped chords shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

I’ve been sick for quite some time now

C G

And I don’t know what it is

D G

I’ve been trying to get my mind right

C G

Since the day that I turned twenty-six

D G

I’ve been trying to get my mind right

C G

Since the day that I turned twenty-six

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Verse 2

G

I’ve been thinking ’bout my daddy

C G

And the way he used to talk

D G

He said, “Son, you’re gonna make it

C G

But you’re gonna take some knocks”

D G

He said, “Son, you’re gonna make it

C G

But you’re gonna take some knocks”

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Bridge

Em C

And I’ve been thinking ’bout the ocean

G D

And the way it pulls the tide

Em C

I’ve been thinking ’bout the notion

G D

That we all have got to die

Verse 3

G

I’ve been dreaming of the mountains

C G

And the way they touch the sky

D G

I’ve been dreaming of a simple life

C G

Before I say goodbye

D G

I’ve been dreaming of a simple life

C G

Before I say goodbye

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Practice tip: The verses use a repeating two-line pattern. Practice the G to C transition until it feels natural, as it’s the most common change in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Sick"?

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

Is "The Sick" 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 "The Sick" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Sick"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2024.

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

The Sick Chords – Harmonica

A reflective and somber song by Zach Bryan about grappling with inner turmoil and the passage of time. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, while still playing the G-shaped chords shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

I’ve been sick for quite some time now

C G

And I don’t know what it is

D G

I’ve been trying to get my mind right

C G

Since the day that I turned twenty-six

D G

I’ve been trying to get my mind right

C G

Since the day that I turned twenty-six

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Verse 2

G

I’ve been thinking ’bout my daddy

C G

And the way he used to talk

D G

He said, “Son, you’re gonna make it

C G

But you’re gonna take some knocks”

D G

He said, “Son, you’re gonna make it

C G

But you’re gonna take some knocks”

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Bridge

Em C

And I’ve been thinking ’bout the ocean

G D

And the way it pulls the tide

Em C

I’ve been thinking ’bout the notion

G D

That we all have got to die

Verse 3

G

I’ve been dreaming of the mountains

C G

And the way they touch the sky

D G

I’ve been dreaming of a simple life

C G

Before I say goodbye

D G

I’ve been dreaming of a simple life

C G

Before I say goodbye

Chorus

G C

And I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

G C

I’m sick of the way that the world works

G D

I’m sick of the way that it turns

Practice tip: The verses use a repeating two-line pattern. Practice the G to C transition until it feels natural, as it’s the most common change in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Sick"?

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

Is "The Sick" 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 "The Sick" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Sick"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2024.