You Are My Sunshine – Easy Guitar Lesson
Learn how to play “You Are My Sunshine” on guitar with simple chords and an easy strumming pattern. Perfect for beginners!
How to Play “You Are My Sunshine” on Guitar
“You Are My Sunshine” is a timeless classic that’s easy to play on guitar. With just a few basic chords and a simple strumming pattern, this song is great for beginners and a perfect sing-along tune.
Chords Used: A, D, E
You only need three easy chords to play this song:
These are some of the most common chords in folk and gospel music, and if you’re just starting out, this is a great song to practice smooth chord changes.
Strumming Pattern:
Chord Progression Practice:
Just want to see the chords & lyrics? Scroll down a bit more — BUT I encourage you to do this first – it’ll improve your success rate:
Use downstrokes while counting the beats!
This ensures accurate timing and smooth chord changes – then simply add the strumming pattern, and you’re all set!
d = downstroke
A A A A
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d
D D A A
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d
D D A A
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d
A E A A
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d dTo summarize:
- Learn the chords
- Practice them with downstrokes only & count through the song
- Learn the strumming pattern
- Play the song!
Lyrics and Chords
[Chorus]
A A A A
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
D D A A
You make me happy when skies are gray
D D A A
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
A E A A
Please don't take my sunshine away
[Verse 1]
A A A A
The other night dear as I lay sleeping
D D A A
I dreamed I held you in my arms
D D A A
When I awoke dear I was mistaken
A E A A
So I bowed my head and I cried
[Chorus]
A A A A
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
D D A A
You make me happy when skies are gray
D D A A
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
A E A A
Please don't take my sunshine away
[Verse 2]
A A A A
I've always loved you and made you happy
D D A A
and nothing else could come between
D D A A
but now you've left me to love another
A E A A
you have shattered all of my dreams
[Chorus]
A A A A
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
D D A A
You make me happy when skies are gray
D D A A
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
A E A A
Please don't take my sunshine away
