A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall Bob Dylan

Commentary on Playing "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall"

Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” is a classic folk song, originally released in 1963. It’s usually played with an acoustic guitar, reflecting Dylan’s signature storytelling style and straightforward accompaniment.

Chords Used
The song uses only three basic open chords: D, G, and A. These are common beginner chords and are played in the key of D major. Practice transitioning between them smoothly before playing the full song.

Strumming Pattern
A simple down-up (D U D U) strumming pattern fits well, but a more folk-like pattern is: down, down-up, down, down-up. Try to keep your strumming relaxed and consistent to match the song’s steady tempo.

Chord Transitions
Most lines stay on D for a few beats before switching to G or A. Prepare your fingers for quick transitions, especially between D and A, which happens frequently in the chorus. Practice slowly if needed.

Tips for Beginners

Use a capo if you want to match Dylan’s original pitch (often no capo is needed, but check the recording if you want to sing along).
Let the last chord of each line ring out briefly before moving to the next.
Keep your wrist loose for smoother strumming.
Focus on clean chord changes rather than speed; lyrics are long so you have time between chord switches.

With practice, this song is very approachable for beginners and a great exercise in basic folk rhythm guitar.

Intro

D D D D D D

Verse 1

Oh where have you been myD blue-eyedD son?

And where have you been myG darling youngA one?

I'veG stumbled on the side ofA twelve mistyD mountains

I'veG walked and I've crawled onA six crookedD highways

I'veG stepped in the middle ofA seven sadD forests

I'veG been out in front of aA dozen deadD oceans

I've beenG ten thousand miles in theA mouth of aD graveyard

Chorus

And it's a hard, it's aA hard, it's aD hard, it's aG hard

It's aD hard ra-A ain's a-gonnaD fall

Verse 2

Oh what did you see myD blue-eyedD son?

And what did you see myG darling youngA one?

I saw aG newborn baby with wildA wolves all aD round it

I saw aG highway of diamonds withA nobodyD on it

IG saw a black branch withA blood that keptD drippin'

I saw aG room full of men with theirA hammers aD bleedin'

IG saw a white ladder allA covered withD water

I sawG ten thousand talkers whoseA tongues were allD broken

I sawG guns and sharp swords in theA hands of youngD children

Chorus

And it's a hard, it's aA hard, it's aD hard, it's aG hard

It's aD hard ra-A ain's a-gonnaD fall

Verse 3

What did you hear myD blue-eyedD son?

And what did you hear myG darling youngA one?

I heard theG sound of a thunder thatA roared out aD warnin'

I heard theG roar of a wave that couldA drown the wholeD world

I heardG one hundred drummers whoseA hands were aD blazin'

I heardG ten thousand whisperin' andA nobodyD listenin'

I heardG one person starve, I heardA many peopleD laughin'

Heard theG song of a poet whoA died in theD gutter

Heard theG sound of a clown whoA cried in theD alley

Chorus

And it's a hard, it's aA hard, it's aD hard, it's aG hard

It's aD hard ra-A ain's a-gonnaD fall

Verse 4

Oh who did you meet myD blue-eyedD son?

And who did you meet myG darling youngA one?

IG met a young child beA side a deadD pony

IG met a white man whoA walked a blackD dog

IG met a young woman whoseA body wasD burnin'

IG met a young girl, sheA gave me aD rainbow

IG met one man who wasA wounded inD love

I met anotherG man who wasA wounded withD hatred

Chorus

And it's a hard, it's aA hard, it's aD hard, it's aG hard

It's aD hard ra-A ain's a-gonnaD fall

Verse 5

And what'll you do now myD blue-eyedD son?

And what'll you do now myG darling youngA one?

I'm aG goin' back out 'fore theA rain starts aD fallin'

I'llG walk to the depths of theA deepest darkD forest

Where theG people are many and theirA hands are allD empty

Where theG pellets of poison areA flooding theirD waters

Where theG home in the valley meets theA damp dirtyD prison

And the ex-e-G cutioner's face isA always wellD hidden

WhereG hunger is ugly, whereA souls are forD gotten

WhereG black is the color whereA none is theD number

And I'llG tell it and speak it andA think it andD breathe it

And reG flect from the mountain soA all souls canD see it

Then I'llG stand on the ocean unA til I startD sinkin'

But I'llG know my song well beA fore I startD singin'

Chorus

And it's a hard, it's aA hard, it's aD hard, it's aG hard

It's aD hard ra-A ain's a-gonnaD fall

Outro

D G D

Song Tabs

Commentary on Playing "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall"