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Southern Man

Chords

4.9649 votes

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
|        Dm|   Bb      Gm|        Dm|   Bb      Gm|
[Chorus]
DmSouthern man, betteFmaj7/Cr keep your head,
Bbdon't forget what your G7Good Book says.
DmSouthern change gonFmaj7/Cna come at last,
Bbnow your crosses are G7burnin' fast, Dmsouthern man.
|   Bb      Gm|        Dm|   Bb      Gm|
[Verse 1]
DmI saw cotton and BbI saw blGmack,
Dmtall white mansions and Bblittle shacksGm;
Dmsouthern man when will you Bbpay them baGmck?
AI heard screamin' and bull whips crackin'.
How long, how long? Ah!
|        Dm|   Bb      Gm|        Dm|   Bb      Gm|
[Chorus]
DmSouthern man, betteFmaj7/Cr keep your head,
Bbdon't forget what your G7Good Book says.
DmSouthern change gonFmaj7/Cna come at last,
Bbnow your crosses are G7burnin' fast, Dmsouthern man.
|   Bb      Gm|        Dm|   Bb      Gm|
[Verse 2]
DmLily Belle, your hair is Bbgolden bGmrown
DmI've seen your black man Bbcomin' rGmound
DmSwear by God, I'm gonna Bbcut him dGmown!
AI heard screamin' and bull whips crackin'.
How long, how long? Ah!
[Outro Solo]
|        Dm|   Bb      Gm|        Dm|   Bb      Gm| x6
(fade out)

All chords in this song (6)

The story behind the song

"Southern Man" is an emotionally moving folk-rock protest against racial injustices, specifically addressing the racism against Black people in the American South. The song tells the story of a white man and his slaves, with lyrics that question when the South will atone for the wealth built through slavery. It also references the practice of cross burning, a symbol of the Ku Klux Klan. This powerful song, from his 1970 album After the Gold Rush, reflects Neil Young's strong anti-racism and anti-violence stance. Playing it is to channel a plea for justice and reckoning.

AI-written from these sources:Southern Man (song) — Wikipedia ↗Neil Young — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

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

Southern Man

by Neil Young

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Fmaj7/C

[Intro]

Dm Bb Gm Dm Bb Gm

| | | | |

[Chorus]

Dm Fmaj7/C

Southern man, better keep your head,

Bb G7

don't forget what your Good Book says.

Dm Fmaj7/C

Southern change gonna come at last,

Bb G7 Dm

now your crosses are burnin' fast, southern man.

Bb Gm Dm Bb Gm

| | | |

[Verse 1]

Dm Bb Gm

I saw cotton and I saw black,

Dm Bb Gm

tall white mansions and little shacks;

Dm Bb Gm

southern man when will you pay them back?

I heard screamin' and bull whips crackin'.

How long, how long? Ah!

Dm Bb Gm Dm Bb Gm

| | | | |

[Chorus]

Dm Fmaj7/C

Southern man, better keep your head,

Bb G7

don't forget what your Good Book says.

Dm Fmaj7/C

Southern change gonna come at last,

Bb G7 Dm

now your crosses are burnin' fast, southern man.

Bb Gm Dm Bb Gm

| | | |

[Verse 2]

Dm Bb Gm

Lily Belle, your hair is golden brown

Dm Bb Gm

I've seen your black man comin' round

Dm Bb Gm

Swear by God, I'm gonna cut him down!

I heard screamin' and bull whips crackin'.

How long, how long? Ah!

[Outro Solo]

Dm Bb Gm Dm Bb Gm

| | | | | x6

(fade out)

About Southern Man Chords by Neil Young

Learn how to play Southern Man by Neil Young with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Southern Man chords”, “Southern Man guitar chords”, or “Neil Young Southern Man 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 Southern Man chords and for experienced players who want accurate Southern Man lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dm, Bb, Gm, Fmaj7/C, G7, A.

FAQ — Southern Man by Neil Young

How do I play "Southern Man" by Neil Young on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Southern Man" by Neil Young 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 "Southern Man" by Neil Young free?

Yes. The chords for "Southern Man" by Neil Young are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Southern Man" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Southern Man"?

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

Is "Southern Man" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Southern Man" by Neil Young with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Neil Young below.

What key is "Southern Man" in?

The chords for "Southern Man" show the original chord names (including Dm, Bb, Gm, Fmaj7/C, G7, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.