Way Over Yonder - Billy Bragg & Wilco | Song Tabs

Way Over Yonder Billy Bragg & Wilco

"Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key" is a folk song written by Woody Guthrie and popularized by Billy Bragg & Wilco. The original features gentle, flowing guitar that suits its storytelling style.

Chord Progression and Basics

The song mainly uses the open chords G, C, D, Em, and Am, which are beginner-friendly. Familiarize yourself with these shapes before starting. Pay attention to the chord changes, especially moving between G and C, and G and D.

Strumming Pattern

A simple folk strumming pattern works well: down, down-up, up-down-up (D, D-U, U-D-U) per measure. Keep your strums soft and even to match the song’s relaxed feel. Start slowly and focus on keeping a steady rhythm.

Chord Transitions

Practice switching between G-C and C-G, as these transitions occur frequently. For smoother changes:

Keep your fingers close to the fretboard.
Try to anchor your ring finger on the third fret of the B string (for G and C) if possible.
Moving from D to Em is straightforward; lift your fingers from D and place them for Em efficiently.

Additional Tips

For the instrumental section, play single downstrokes for each chord to emphasize the melody.
Listen to the original recording to get a feel for the tempo and strumming.
Don’t rush; accuracy with chord shapes and transitions is more important than speed for beginners.

Enjoy the process and sing along to help with timing!

Intro

G C C G

Verse 1

I lived in a place called OkfusC kee, and I had a little girl in a hollerG tree

I said "Little girl it's plain toC see

Ain't nobody that can sing likeG meD ain't nobody that can sing likeEm me"

Verse 2

SheG said "It's hard for me toC see, how one little boy got so ugG ly"

Yes my little girly that mightC be

But there ain't nobody that can sing likeG meD ain't nobody that can sing likeEm me"

Chorus

C Way over yonder in the minorG key,Am way over yonder in the minorG key

ThereD ain't nobody that can sing likeEm me

Verse 3

WeG walked down, by the BuckeyeC Creek, to see the frog eat the goggle-eyeG bee

To hear that west wind whistle-to-theC east

There ain't nobody that can sing likeG meD ain't nobody that can sing likeEm me"

Verse 4

G Oh my little girly will you let meC see, way over yonder where the wind blowsG free?

Nobody can see in our hollerC tree

And there ain't nobody that can sing likeG meD ain't nobody that can sing likeEm me"

Chorus

C Way over yonder in the minorG key,Am way over yonder in the minorG key

ThereD ain't nobody that can sing likeEm me

Instrumental

Em C G D G D Em

Verse 5

HerG mama cut a switch from a cherryC tree, and laid it on to she andG me

It stung lots worse than a hive ofC bees

But there ain't nobody that can sing likeG meD ain't nobody that can sing likeEm me"

Verse 6

NowG I have walked a long longC ways, still look back to my TanglewoodG days

I've led lots of girls since then toC stray

Sayin' ain't nobody that can sing likeG meD ain't nobody that can sing likeEm me"

Outro

C Way over yonder in the minorG key,Am way over yonder in the minorG key

D Ain't nobody that can sing likeEm me

C Way over yonder in the minorG key,Am way over yonder in the minorG key

D Ain't nobody that can sing likeEm me

D Ain't nobody that can sing likeEm meD Em

Song Tabs

Songs with the same chords: Am + C + D + Em + G

Songs with the same chords: Am + C + D + Em + G