Jambalaya (On the Bayou) – Easy Guitar Tutorial (G & C Chords)

Learn to play “Jambalaya” using just two easy chords—G and C! A perfect beginner-friendly song with a simple strumming pattern.

How to Play “Jambalaya” on Guitar (2-Chord Version: G & C)

“Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” by Hank Williams is a fantastic beginner-friendly song. It uses only two chords—G and C—making it easy to play while still being a fun, upbeat tune.

Chords Used: G, C

You only need two easy chords to play this song:

These are some of the most common chords in folk and country music, and if you’re just starting out, this is a great song to practice smooth chord changes.

Strumming Pattern:

If that feels too advanced, you can start with just downstrokes on each beat and build up from there.

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

C        C        G        G      
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

G        G        C        C      
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

To summarize:

Learn the chords
Practice them with downstrokes only & count through the song
Learn the strumming pattern
Play the song!

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Lyrics and Chords

[Verse 1]
         C             C         G       G
Goodbye, Joe, me gotta go, me oh my oh
         G              G              C      C
Me gotta go, pole the pirogue down the bayou
         C             C           G      G
My Yvonne, the sweetest one, me oh my oh
         G                   G          C      C
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
 
[Chorus]
     C                   C            G      G
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and Filé gumbo
        G               G               C     C
Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
     C                  C          G     G
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o                             
         G                   G          C      C
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou

[Verse 2]
Thibodaux, Fontaineaux, the place is buzzin'
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
We dress in style and go hog wild, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
 
[Chorus]
[Instrumental]
[Chorus]

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James from Good Guitarist showing a note on the G string of the guitar fretboard