Song Tabs

 About the Original

"Ballad Of The Green Berets" is a patriotic folk song released in 1966 by Barry Sadler. Its straightforward, march-like rhythm and simple arrangement make it beginner-friendly on guitar, echoing its military theme with a steady, strong feel.

How to Play on Guitar

The song uses only three basic chords: C, G, and F. These are foundational open chords, ideal for beginners. Practice changing between C and G smoothly, as these transitions occur frequently throughout the verses. The F chord can be challenging if you're new; try using the simplified "mini-F" (xx3211) if the full barre chord is difficult.

Strumming should be steady and consistent. A simple down-down-up-up-down-up pattern (D-D-U-U-D-U) fits well, but you can also use straight downstrokes to match the song's march-like character—perfect for group singalongs. Keep your wrist relaxed and aim for even volume.

Pay attention to chord changes, especially when moving from G to C at the end of most lines. Practice these transitions slowly at first, then speed up as your confidence grows. If singing, listen to the melody to time your chord changes with the lyrics.

For the outro, end softly with a single strum on F and then C, letting the chords ring out to close the song.