Song Tabs

Dropkick Me Jesus by Bobby Bare is a classic country gospel tune with a lighthearted, swinging feel. The original version is played at a moderate tempo with a gentle country rhythm, making it approachable for beginner guitarists.

How to Play on Guitar
The song uses only four basic chords: C, G, G7, and F. These are standard open chords, perfect for beginners to practice chord changes.

Start with the intro, strumming each chord for a full measure. Throughout the verses and choruses, most lines use one chord per measure. The G7 appears briefly in verse 3, adding a classic country flavor — transition to it from G by keeping your index finger on the first fret of the high E string.

For strumming, use a simple country “boom-chicka” pattern: alternate a bass note (downstroke on the lowest string of the chord) with a full down-up strum. For example, with C, hit the A string first, then strum down-up. This pattern fits the song’s gentle swing and helps keep time.

When moving from C to G or G7, keep your ring finger as a pivot on the B string if possible. The transition from C to F can be tricky; start with an easy F (xx3211) if the full barre chord is too hard.

Practice slowly, focusing on smooth chord transitions and steady rhythm. Sing along if you can — this song is as much about the fun lyrics as the music!