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Uncle Johns Band

Chords

4.6966 votes

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Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/2

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 2Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

Uncle John's Band chords (for acoustic guitar)
 G  Gsus*   G   G   Gsus  G  
 G    D   C    D4x
Well the Gfirst days are the Chardest Gdays, don't you Cworry any Gmore 
'Cause when life looks like Ceasy Gstreet, there is Cdanger at your Gdoor.
AmThink this through with Emme, Clet me know your Dmind.
CWoh - Doh, what I Gwant to DknoCw,    Gis Dare you Gkind?
It's a Gbuck dancer's Cchoice my Gfriend; better Ctake my aGdvice.
You know all the Crules by Gnow, and the Cfire from the Gice.
AmWill you come with Emme, Cwon't you come with Dme?
CWoh - Doh, what I Gwant to DknoCw,    Gwill Dyou come Gwith Gme?
GGoddamn, well CI deGclare, Amhave you Gseen the Dlike?
Their Cwalls are built of EmcannonGballs, their motto Dis don't Ctread on Dme.
GCome hear Uncle John's CBand, Amplaying Gto the Dtide
CCome with me, or Ggo aEmlone, he's Gcome to Dtake his Cchildren Dhome
 G    D   C    D4x
It's the Gsame story the Ccrow told Gme; it's the Conly one he Gknows.
Like the morning Csun you Gcome, and Clike the wind you Ggo.
AmAin't no time to Emhate, Cbarely time to Dwait
CWoh - Doh, what I Gwant to DknoCw,    Gwhere Ddoes the Gtime Ggo?
GI live in a Csilver Gmine, and I Ccall it Beggar's GTomb
I got me a CviolGin, and I Cbeg you call the Gtune
AmAnybody's Emchoice, CI can hear your Dvoice.
CWoh - Doh, what I Gwant to DknoCw,    Ghow Ddoes the Gsong Ggo?
GCome hear the Uncle John's CBand, Amby the GriverDside
CGot some things to Gtalk aEmbout, Ghere beDside the Crisin' Dtide
GCome hear Uncle John's CBand, Amplaying Gto the Dtide
CCome on along or Ggo aEmlone, he's Gcome to Dtake his Cchildren Dhome
CWoh - Doh, what I Gwant to DknoCw,   Ghow Ddoes the Gsong Ggo?
GCome hear the Uncle John's CBand, Amby the GriverDside
CGot some things to Gtalk aEmbout, Ghere beDside the Crisin' Dtide
GCome hear Uncle John's CBand, Amplaying Gto the Dtide
CCome on along or Ggo aEmlone, he's Gcome to Dtake his Cchildren Dhome
 G    D   C    D4x
*  
e|---3-|
B|-1---|
G|-----|
D|-----|
A|-----|
E|---3-|
Capo III
    G= E  
 Gsus= Esus  
    C= A  
   Am= F#m  
   Em= C#m  
    D= B  
Capo V
    G= D  
 Gsus= Dsus  
    C= G  
   Am= Em  
   Em= Bm  
    D= A  
Open (These chords are not in the original key)
    G= A  
 Gsus= Asus  
    C= D  
   Am= Bm  
   Em= F#m  
    D= E  

All chords in this song (15)

The story behind the song

"Uncle John's Band" offers a memorable melody within a bluegrass-inspired folk arrangement, often featuring close harmony singing. The lyrics weave in allusions to various traditional folk, mountain, and bluegrass tunes, hinting at stories and wisdom passed down through generations. It evokes a sense of timeless folk tradition, presented in an acoustic and musically concise style, a contrast to the Grateful Dead's usual improvisational explorations. Playing this song feels like tapping into a deep current of American musical heritage.

AI-written from these sources:Uncle John's Band — Wikipedia ↗Grateful Dead — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Uncle Johns Band

by Grateful Dead

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Gsus

Esus

F#m

C#m

Dsus

Asus

Uncle John's Band chords (for acoustic guitar)

G Gsus G G Gsus G

G D C D

G C G C G

Well the first days are the hardest days, don't you worry any more

C G C G

'Cause when life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door.

Am Em C D

Think this through with me, let me know your mind.

C D G D C G D G

Woh - oh, what I want to know, is are you kind?

G C G C G

It's a buck dancer's choice my friend; better take my advice.

C G C G

You know all the rules by now, and the fire from the ice.

Am Em C D

Will you come with me, won't you come with me?

C D G D C G D G G

Woh - oh, what I want to know, will you come with me?

G C G Am G D

Goddamn, well I declare, have you seen the like?

C Em G D C D

Their walls are built of cannonballs, their motto is don't tread on me.

G C Am G D

Come hear Uncle John's Band, playing to the tide

C G Em G D C D

Come with me, or go alone, he's come to take his children home

G D C D

G C G C G

It's the same story the crow told me; it's the only one he knows.

C G C G

Like the morning sun you come, and like the wind you go.

Am Em C D

Ain't no time to hate, barely time to wait

C D G D C G D G G

Woh - oh, what I want to know, where does the time go?

G C G C G

I live in a silver mine, and I call it Beggar's Tomb

C G C G

I got me a violin, and I beg you call the tune

Am Em C D

Anybody's choice, I can hear your voice.

C D G D C G D G G

Woh - oh, what I want to know, how does the song go?

G C Am G D

Come hear the Uncle John's Band, by the riverside

C G Em G D C D

Got some things to talk about, here beside the risin' tide

G C Am G D

Come hear Uncle John's Band, playing to the tide

C G Em G D C D

Come on along or go alone, he's come to take his children home

C D G D C G D G G

Woh - oh, what I want to know, how does the song go?

G C Am G D

Come hear the Uncle John's Band, by the riverside

C G Em G D C D

Got some things to talk about, here beside the risin' tide

G C Am G D

Come hear Uncle John's Band, playing to the tide

C G Em G D C D

Come on along or go alone, he's come to take his children home

G D C D

e|---3-|

B|-1---|

G|-----|

D|-----|

A|-----|

E|---3-|

Capo III

G E

Gsus Esus

C A

Am F#m

Em C#m

D B

Capo V

G D

Gsus Dsus

C G

Am Em

Em Bm

D A

Open (These chords are not in the original key)

G A

Gsus Asus

C D

Am Bm

Em F#m

D E

About Uncle Johns Band Chords by Grateful Dead

Learn how to play Uncle Johns Band by Grateful Dead with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Uncle Johns Band chords”, “Uncle Johns Band guitar chords”, or “Grateful Dead Uncle Johns Band chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Uncle Johns Band chords and for experienced players who want accurate Uncle Johns Band lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, Gsus, D, C, Am, Em.

FAQ — Uncle Johns Band by Grateful Dead

How do I play "Uncle Johns Band" by Grateful Dead on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Uncle Johns Band" by Grateful Dead on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Uncle Johns Band" by Grateful Dead free?

Yes. The chords for "Uncle Johns Band" by Grateful Dead are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Uncle Johns Band" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Uncle Johns Band" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Uncle Johns Band"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Uncle Johns Band" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Uncle Johns Band" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Uncle Johns Band" by Grateful Dead with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Grateful Dead below.

What key is "Uncle Johns Band" in?

The chords for "Uncle Johns Band" show the original chord names (including G, Gsus, D, C, Am, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.