Now playing

Sweet Johanna

Chords

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
G
[Verse]
GWell I came up to the great big city when I Awas only seventeen
DGot me a job in a big skyscraper Chelpin’ to keep the place Gclean
I tried to save all my money to Abring you here one day
The Dneon lights burned holes in my pockets and the Cmoney just slipped Gaway
[Chorus]
Now my sweet JoC7hanna
I’m hitchin’ on back down to GLouisiana back where I started
And I’m C7older than the day I went aGway
Oh my sweet JoC7hanna
I’m comin’ on home to GLouisiana back where I started
Cause you Dmight want to live in New York City anyGway
[Verse]
GI wen’on down to the bar on the corner to Ahave myself a beer
A Dsweet young voice said what about me I Cheard it in my Gear
I had not heard a friendly word in Aseven months or more
So I Dhad to defend my lady friend when someone Ccalled that slut a Gwhore
[Chorus]
Now now my sweet JoC7hanna
I’m hitchin’ on back down to GLouisiana back where I started
And I’m C7older than the day I went aGway
Now my sweet JoC7hanna
I’m a hitchin' a ride back to GLouisiana just to tell ya
That'a you Dmight like to live in New York City anyGway
[Verse]
GWell we all went out in the alley but I Awoke up all alone
An Dempty wallet an ache in my head an’Cno place to call Ghome
[Instrumental]
A    D    C    G
[Chorus]
Now my sweet JoC7hanna
You know I'm hitchin’ a ride back to GLouisiana just to tell ya
That I’m C7older than the day I went Gaway
Oh my sweet JoC7hanna
I’m crawlin' on back home to GLouisiana just to tell ya
That'a you Dmight want to live in New York City anyGway
[Outro]
HC7itchin' on back to LoGuisiana back where I started
And I’m C7older than the day I went aGway
Aw now my sweet JoC7hanna
I’m comin' on back home to GLouisiana just to tell ya
That'a you Dmight like to live in New York City anyGway

All chords in this song (5)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

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

Sweet Johanna

by Levon Helm

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

[Verse]

G A

Well I came up to the great big city when I was only seventeen

D C G

Got me a job in a big skyscraper helpin’ to keep the place clean

I tried to save all my money to bring you here one day

D C G

The neon lights burned holes in my pockets and the money just slipped away

[Chorus]

Now my sweet Johanna

I’m hitchin’ on back down to Louisiana back where I started

C7 G

And I’m older than the day I went away

Oh my sweet Johanna

I’m comin’ on home to Louisiana back where I started

D G

Cause you might want to live in New York City anyway

[Verse]

G A

I wen’on down to the bar on the corner to have myself a beer

D C G

A sweet young voice said what about me I heard it in my ear

I had not heard a friendly word in seven months or more

D C G

So I had to defend my lady friend when someone called that slut a whore

[Chorus]

Now now my sweet Johanna

I’m hitchin’ on back down to Louisiana back where I started

C7 G

And I’m older than the day I went away

Now my sweet Johanna

I’m a hitchin' a ride back to Louisiana just to tell ya

D G

That'a you might like to live in New York City anyway

[Verse]

G A

Well we all went out in the alley but I woke up all alone

D C G

An empty wallet an ache in my head an’no place to call home

[Instrumental]

A D C G

[Chorus]

Now my sweet Johanna

You know I'm hitchin’ a ride back to Louisiana just to tell ya

C7 G

That I’m older than the day I went away

Oh my sweet Johanna

I’m crawlin' on back home to Louisiana just to tell ya

D G

That'a you might want to live in New York City anyway

[Outro]

C7 G

Hitchin' on back to Louisiana back where I started

C7 G

And I’m older than the day I went away

Aw now my sweet Johanna

I’m comin' on back home to Louisiana just to tell ya

D G

That'a you might like to live in New York City anyway

About Sweet Johanna Chords by Levon Helm

Learn how to play Sweet Johanna by Levon Helm with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Sweet Johanna chords”, “Sweet Johanna guitar chords”, or “Levon Helm Sweet Johanna 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 Sweet Johanna chords and for experienced players who want accurate Sweet Johanna lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, A, D, C, C7.

FAQ — Sweet Johanna by Levon Helm

How do I play "Sweet Johanna" by Levon Helm on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Sweet Johanna" by Levon Helm 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 "Sweet Johanna" by Levon Helm free?

Yes. The chords for "Sweet Johanna" by Levon Helm are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Sweet Johanna" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Sweet Johanna"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Sweet Johanna" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Sweet Johanna" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Sweet Johanna" by Levon Helm with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Levon Helm below.

What key is "Sweet Johanna" in?

The chords for "Sweet Johanna" show the original chord names (including G, A, D, C, C7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.