Folk

You Are My Sunshine Chords

Traditional Beginner Key of C 3 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

C · F · G

You Are My Sunshine Chords – Guitar

The ultimate first ukulele song. Three chords, a universally known melody, and a tempo slow enough that even brand-new players can keep up from their very first attempt.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑

1234

Tip: On ukulele, C is a single-finger chord (3rd fret, 1st string), F uses two fingers, and G uses three — making this a perfect progression for building finger strength.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need C, F, and G. On ukulele, these are among the very first chords you learn.

2

Get the sunny strum

The strum should be bright and cheerful. Down-down-up-up with a gentle, lilting feel.

3

Learn the verse

The verse alternates C and F, with G appearing at the turnaround. Each chord gets a full bar.

4

Sing it with joy

This is a song about happiness. Let that come through in your playing and singing. Smile while you play — it changes the sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Guitar Version

Chorus

C F

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

C G

You make me happy when skies are gray

C F

You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you

C G C

Please don’t take my sunshine away

Verse 1

C F

The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping

C G

I dreamed I held you in my arms

C F

When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken

C G C

So I hung my head and cried

Practice tip: This is quite possibly the easiest song you will ever learn on ukulele. If you can play C, F, and G, you can play this song today. Right now. Go for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "You Are My Sunshine"?

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

Is "You Are My Sunshine" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "You Are My Sunshine" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "You Are My Sunshine"?

It was written by Traditional.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

C · F · G

You Are My Sunshine Chords – Ukulele

The ultimate first ukulele song. Three chords, a universally known melody, and a tempo slow enough that even brand-new players can keep up from their very first attempt.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑

1234

Tip: On ukulele, C is a single-finger chord (3rd fret, 1st string), F uses two fingers, and G uses three — making this a perfect progression for building finger strength.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need C, F, and G. On ukulele, these are among the very first chords you learn.

2

Get the sunny strum

The strum should be bright and cheerful. Down-down-up-up with a gentle, lilting feel.

3

Learn the verse

The verse alternates C and F, with G appearing at the turnaround. Each chord gets a full bar.

4

Sing it with joy

This is a song about happiness. Let that come through in your playing and singing. Smile while you play — it changes the sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Ukulele Version

Chorus

C F

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

C G

You make me happy when skies are gray

C F

You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you

C G C

Please don’t take my sunshine away

Verse 1

C F

The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping

C G

I dreamed I held you in my arms

C F

When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken

C G C

So I hung my head and cried

Practice tip: This is quite possibly the easiest song you will ever learn on ukulele. If you can play C, F, and G, you can play this song today. Right now. Go for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "You Are My Sunshine"?

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

Is "You Are My Sunshine" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "You Are My Sunshine" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "You Are My Sunshine"?

It was written by Traditional.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

C · F · G

You Are My Sunshine Chords – Piano

The ultimate first ukulele song. Three chords, a universally known melody, and a tempo slow enough that even brand-new players can keep up from their very first attempt.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑

1234

Tip: On ukulele, C is a single-finger chord (3rd fret, 1st string), F uses two fingers, and G uses three — making this a perfect progression for building finger strength.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need C, F, and G. On ukulele, these are among the very first chords you learn.

2

Get the sunny strum

The strum should be bright and cheerful. Down-down-up-up with a gentle, lilting feel.

3

Learn the verse

The verse alternates C and F, with G appearing at the turnaround. Each chord gets a full bar.

4

Sing it with joy

This is a song about happiness. Let that come through in your playing and singing. Smile while you play — it changes the sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Piano Version

Chorus

C F

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

C G

You make me happy when skies are gray

C F

You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you

C G C

Please don’t take my sunshine away

Verse 1

C F

The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping

C G

I dreamed I held you in my arms

C F

When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken

C G C

So I hung my head and cried

Practice tip: This is quite possibly the easiest song you will ever learn on ukulele. If you can play C, F, and G, you can play this song today. Right now. Go for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "You Are My Sunshine"?

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

Is "You Are My Sunshine" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "You Are My Sunshine" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "You Are My Sunshine"?

It was written by Traditional.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

C · F · G

You Are My Sunshine Chords – Banjo

The ultimate first ukulele song. Three chords, a universally known melody, and a tempo slow enough that even brand-new players can keep up from their very first attempt.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑

1234

Tip: On ukulele, C is a single-finger chord (3rd fret, 1st string), F uses two fingers, and G uses three — making this a perfect progression for building finger strength.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need C, F, and G. On ukulele, these are among the very first chords you learn.

2

Get the sunny strum

The strum should be bright and cheerful. Down-down-up-up with a gentle, lilting feel.

3

Learn the verse

The verse alternates C and F, with G appearing at the turnaround. Each chord gets a full bar.

4

Sing it with joy

This is a song about happiness. Let that come through in your playing and singing. Smile while you play — it changes the sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Banjo Version

Chorus

C F

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

C G

You make me happy when skies are gray

C F

You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you

C G C

Please don’t take my sunshine away

Verse 1

C F

The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping

C G

I dreamed I held you in my arms

C F

When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken

C G C

So I hung my head and cried

Practice tip: This is quite possibly the easiest song you will ever learn on ukulele. If you can play C, F, and G, you can play this song today. Right now. Go for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "You Are My Sunshine"?

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

Is "You Are My Sunshine" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "You Are My Sunshine" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "You Are My Sunshine"?

It was written by Traditional.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

C · F · G

You Are My Sunshine Chords – Mandolin

The ultimate first ukulele song. Three chords, a universally known melody, and a tempo slow enough that even brand-new players can keep up from their very first attempt.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑

1234

Tip: On ukulele, C is a single-finger chord (3rd fret, 1st string), F uses two fingers, and G uses three — making this a perfect progression for building finger strength.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need C, F, and G. On ukulele, these are among the very first chords you learn.

2

Get the sunny strum

The strum should be bright and cheerful. Down-down-up-up with a gentle, lilting feel.

3

Learn the verse

The verse alternates C and F, with G appearing at the turnaround. Each chord gets a full bar.

4

Sing it with joy

This is a song about happiness. Let that come through in your playing and singing. Smile while you play — it changes the sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Mandolin Version

Chorus

C F

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

C G

You make me happy when skies are gray

C F

You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you

C G C

Please don’t take my sunshine away

Verse 1

C F

The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping

C G

I dreamed I held you in my arms

C F

When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken

C G C

So I hung my head and cried

Practice tip: This is quite possibly the easiest song you will ever learn on ukulele. If you can play C, F, and G, you can play this song today. Right now. Go for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "You Are My Sunshine"?

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

Is "You Are My Sunshine" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "You Are My Sunshine" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "You Are My Sunshine"?

It was written by Traditional.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

C · F · G

You Are My Sunshine Chords – Harmonica

The ultimate first ukulele song. Three chords, a universally known melody, and a tempo slow enough that even brand-new players can keep up from their very first attempt.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑

1234

Tip: On ukulele, C is a single-finger chord (3rd fret, 1st string), F uses two fingers, and G uses three — making this a perfect progression for building finger strength.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the three chords

You need C, F, and G. On ukulele, these are among the very first chords you learn.

2

Get the sunny strum

The strum should be bright and cheerful. Down-down-up-up with a gentle, lilting feel.

3

Learn the verse

The verse alternates C and F, with G appearing at the turnaround. Each chord gets a full bar.

4

Sing it with joy

This is a song about happiness. Let that come through in your playing and singing. Smile while you play — it changes the sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song — Harmonica Version

Chorus

C F

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

C G

You make me happy when skies are gray

C F

You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you

C G C

Please don’t take my sunshine away

Verse 1

C F

The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping

C G

I dreamed I held you in my arms

C F

When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken

C G C

So I hung my head and cried

Practice tip: This is quite possibly the easiest song you will ever learn on ukulele. If you can play C, F, and G, you can play this song today. Right now. Go for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "You Are My Sunshine"?

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

Is "You Are My Sunshine" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "You Are My Sunshine" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "You Are My Sunshine"?

It was written by Traditional.