In this John Prine classic, I played the verses clawhammer style (4/4 time) and the chorus fingerstyle (3/4 time). There are only 3 chords in the song but they change quickly so it might take some work if you’re not used to changing chords quickly. Also, if you’re not comfortable with the clawhammer and/or fingerstyle it’s fine to just strum the whole thing, keeping in mind that the verses are in 4/4 time and the chorus is in 3/4 time. I also do a little hammer-on at the beginning of each verse while holding the C chord, hammering the 2nd string 3rd fret with my middle finger. You can do it or not… it sounded pretty good to me so I put it in there but you’ll be fine without it.
Category: Clawhammer
Where I’m Going – Gospel #Ukulele Chords & Lyrics
This is a gospel song written by Marijohn Wilkin back in the 1960s (or maybe the early 1970s). It fits the clawhammer style for the ukulele perfectly but you can strum it normally if you prefer. I recorded it in the key of F and the chord progression is really simple (not even a Bb chord to deal with). If you need help with the clawhammer strum be sure to watch my clawhammer tutorial series.
I Like It Here — Patriotic Song on #Ukulele with Chords & Lyrics
I’ve loved this song since I was a kid in New Jersey in 1962 when we sang it in the auditorium every morning before school started. We sang some other patriotic songs too but this one was everybody’s favorite. I’ve always remembered it but couldn’t find any information on the Internet about it other than one other YouTube page and the lyrics on a kids music site. I did a clawhammer backup for the singing but the easy chords change quickly so feel free to slow it down and strum anyway you like. It sounds good either way.
Oklahoma Hills — Chords & Lyrics
Written by Woody Guthrie and his cousin Jack, Oklahoma Hills is the official folk song for the State of Oklahoma. I played clawhammer style accompaniment but you can strum or fingerpick using any 4/4 time pattern you prefer.
Pack Up Your Sorrows – Clawhammer #Ukulele with Tablature
Classic 1960s folk song written by Richard Farina and recorded by him and his wife Mimi Farina (the sister of Joan Baez). This was their most famous recording before Richard’s untimely death in a motorcycle accident in 1966.
Tablature is included here for the break I played at the beginning of the song. After you learn it you might want to switch it to a different place such as after the 2nd verse. I put the break up front so it would be easier to find while you’re learning it.
It’s a simple song with easy chords that of course can just be strummed if you don’t play clawhammer style, and of course if you want to learn clawhammer watch my clawhammer ukulele tutorial.
Go Rest High on That Mountain – Clawhammer #Ukulele with Tablature
Clawhammer Ukulele arrangement of the Vince Gill gospel song, “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” The PDF tablature is for the break played at the beginning and end of the song. The accompaniment for the verses is standard clawhammer backup that is taught on my 4 clawhammer ukulele video tutorial lessons.