You Are My Sunshine – Easy Guitar Lesson

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 d

To summarize:

1. Learn the chords
2. Practice them with downstrokes only & count through the song
3. Learn the strumming pattern
4. Play the song!

FREE PRINTABLE PDF

Play 15 Iconic Songs - The Free Printable Songbook

• Chord diagrams, strumming & practice notes for all 15 songs
• Play your first full song today - even as a total beginner
• Learned in the right order, so you always know what’s next

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