Is Free Chord Book really free?

Yes. Free Chord Book is 100% free with no sign-up required. Access 670,000+ guitar chords, tabs, and lyrics for every song you want to learn.

How do I transpose chords to a different key?

Open any song and use the transpose buttons to move every chord up or down by half-steps. Perfect for singers who need a different key or capo players.

Can I see chord diagrams while I play?

Yes. Tap any chord in a song to instantly see its interactive guitar chord diagram, including alternate fingerings and variations.

What's the difference between guitar chords and guitar tabs?

Chords show you which strings to strum together (great for rhythm playing and singing). Tabs (tablature) show you exact note-by-note fingerings, which is great for solos, riffs, and fingerpicking.

Does Free Chord Book work on mobile?

Yes. Free Chord Book is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use auto-scroll to play hands-free. There is also a free iPhone app (The Chord Book) and Android app (Free Chords).

Is there an iPhone or Android app?

Yes. Download The Chord Book on the Apple App Store and Free Chords on Google Play. Same 670,000+ songs, transpose, tuner, and auto-scroll — 100% free.

Can I print guitar chords?

Yes. Open any song and tap the Print button next to Save. You'll get a branded chord sheet with the Chord Book logo, ready for practice.

Is there a built-in guitar tuner?

Yes. Free Chord Book includes a free online guitar tuner that uses your microphone and YIN pitch detection for accurate tuning in standard and alternate tunings.

How many songs are available?

Over 670,000 songs with chords, tabs, and lyrics — covering every genre, from rock and pop to country, indie, folk, and Hebrew songs.

Is Free Chord Book a good alternative to Ultimate Guitar?

Yes. Free Chord Book is a fast, ad-free, 100% free alternative to Ultimate Guitar with interactive chord diagrams, instant transpose, auto-scroll, and a built-in tuner — no account required.

SavedFavorites

When I Get To Heaven

Chords

4.9322 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

For the Intro and Verse 3 strum chords once, slowly.
[Intro]
D
[Verse 1]
N.C.
When I get to heaven, I'm gonna shake God's hand
N.C.
Thank him for more blessings than one man can stand
N.C.
Then I'm gonna get a guitar and start a rock-n-roll band
N.C.
Check into a swell hotel; ain't the afterlife grand?
[Chorus]
N.C.                                         A  D  
And then I'm gonna get a cocktail: vodka and ginger ale
Yeah, I'm gonna smoke a cGigarette that's nine miles lDong
I'm gonna kiss that prAetty girl on the TDilt-A-Whirl
'Cause thGis old man is   Agoin' to tDown
[Verse 2]
DThen as God as my witness, I'm gettin' back into shGowbusiness
I'm gonna open up Aa nightclub called "The Tree of Forgiveness"
And forgive everybody ever done me any harmD  
Why, I might even invite a few choice critics, those Gsyphilitic parasiticsA  
Buy 'em a pint of Smithwick's and smother 'em with my charmD  
[Chorus]
N.C.                                            A  D  
'Cause then I'm gonna get a cocktail: vodka and ginger ale
Yeah, I'm gonna smoke a cGigarette that's nine miles lDong
I'm gonna kiss that prAetty girl on the TDilt-A-Whirl
Yeah thGis old man is   Agoin' to tDown
[Interlude]
   ADa da-da dDa-da da   Ba da dGa-da-da da-da   ba da dDa-da
Do do-do-do Ado-do   do do-do Ddo-do-do    do da dGo-do-do dAo-do-do da-dDo
[Verse 3]
N.C.                                                                 G  A  
Yeah when I get to heaven,  I'm gonna take that wristwatch off my arm
What are you gonna do with time after you've bought the farm?D  
And them I'm gonna go find my mom and dad,  Gand good old brother Doug
Why AI'll bet him and cousin Jackie are still cuttin' up a rugD  
I wanna see all my mama's sisters,   G'cause that's where all the love starts
I miss 'em all Alike crazy, bless their little heartsD  
And I always will remember these words Gmy daddy said
        N.C.                                                   A  
He said, "Buddy, when you're dead, you're a dead pecker-head"
I hope to prove him wrong... that is, when I get to heavenD  
[Chorus]
N.C.                                            A  D  
'Cause then I'm gonna get a cocktail: vodka and ginger ale
Yeah, I'm gonna smoke a cGigarette that's nine miles lDong
I'm gonna kiss that pAretty girl on the TDilt-A-Whirl
Yeah, thGis old man is   Agoin' to tDown
Yeah, thGis old man is   Agoin' to tDown
[Outro]
Da da-da dAo-do do   Da da dDa-do-do-do   do-do-dGo-do do  dAo-do  do-dDo

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

John Prine was celebrated for his unique blend of humor and heartfelt songwriting, often weaving social commentary and satire into his observations on love and life. This song, appearing on his album The Tree of Forgiveness, embodies that spirit, offering a whimsical yet profound look at what comes after. It plays like a joyful, imaginative rumination on the afterlife, filled with personal touches and a hopeful, lighthearted tone.

AI-written from these sources:John Prine — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 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

When I Get To Heaven

by John Prine

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

For the Intro and Verse 3 strum chords once, slowly.

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

N.C.

When I get to heaven, I'm gonna shake God's hand

N.C.

Thank him for more blessings than one man can stand

N.C.

Then I'm gonna get a guitar and start a rock-n-roll band

N.C.

Check into a swell hotel; ain't the afterlife grand?

[Chorus]

A D

N.C.

And then I'm gonna get a cocktail: vodka and ginger ale

G D

Yeah, I'm gonna smoke a cigarette that's nine miles long

A D

I'm gonna kiss that pretty girl on the Tilt-A-Whirl

G A D

'Cause this old man is goin' to town

[Verse 2]

D G

Then as God as my witness, I'm gettin' back into showbusiness

I'm gonna open up a nightclub called "The Tree of Forgiveness"

And forgive everybody ever done me any harm

G A

Why, I might even invite a few choice critics, those syphilitic parasitics

Buy 'em a pint of Smithwick's and smother 'em with my charm

[Chorus]

A D

N.C.

'Cause then I'm gonna get a cocktail: vodka and ginger ale

G D

Yeah, I'm gonna smoke a cigarette that's nine miles long

A D

I'm gonna kiss that pretty girl on the Tilt-A-Whirl

G A D

Yeah this old man is goin' to town

[Interlude]

A D G D

Da da-da da-da da Ba da da-da-da da-da ba da da-da

A D G A D

Do do-do-do do-do do do-do do-do-do do da do-do-do do-do-do da-do

[Verse 3]

G A

N.C.

Yeah when I get to heaven, I'm gonna take that wristwatch off my arm

What are you gonna do with time after you've bought the farm?

And them I'm gonna go find my mom and dad, and good old brother Doug

A D

Why I'll bet him and cousin Jackie are still cuttin' up a rug

I wanna see all my mama's sisters, 'cause that's where all the love starts

A D

I miss 'em all like crazy, bless their little hearts

And I always will remember these words my daddy said

N.C.

He said, "Buddy, when you're dead, you're a dead pecker-head"

I hope to prove him wrong... that is, when I get to heaven

[Chorus]

A D

N.C.

'Cause then I'm gonna get a cocktail: vodka and ginger ale

G D

Yeah, I'm gonna smoke a cigarette that's nine miles long

A D

I'm gonna kiss that pretty girl on the Tilt-A-Whirl

G A D

Yeah, this old man is goin' to town

G A D

Yeah, this old man is goin' to town

[Outro]

A D G A D

Da da-da do-do do Da da da-do-do-do do-do-do-do do do-do do-do

About When I Get To Heaven Chords by John Prine

Learn how to play When I Get To Heaven by John Prine with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “When I Get To Heaven chords”, “When I Get To Heaven guitar chords”, or “John Prine When I Get To Heaven 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 When I Get To Heaven chords and for experienced players who want accurate When I Get To Heaven lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, C, A, G.

FAQ — When I Get To Heaven by John Prine

How do I play "When I Get To Heaven" by John Prine on guitar?

Open the free chords for "When I Get To Heaven" by John Prine 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 "When I Get To Heaven" by John Prine free?

Yes. The chords for "When I Get To Heaven" by John Prine are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "When I Get To Heaven" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "When I Get To Heaven" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "When I Get To Heaven"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "When I Get To Heaven" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "When I Get To Heaven" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "When I Get To Heaven" by John Prine with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by John Prine below.

What key is "When I Get To Heaven" in?

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