Song Tabs

 "Night Rider's Lament" is a well-known cowboy ballad, covered by artists like Jerry Jeff Walker and Chris LeDoux. The song’s gentle, storytelling style is best served by a relaxed approach on guitar, making it approachable for beginners.

Chords

The song uses basic open chords: D, G, A, and Em.

• D major
• G major
• A major
• Em (E minor)

Practice switching between these shapes smoothly to maintain the flow.

Strumming Pattern

A simple, steady country strum works well:

Down-down-up-up-down-up
Or, for absolute beginners, use a consistent down-down-down-down for each measure.

Try to emphasize the first down strum of each measure for a rhythmic, folksy feel.

Chord Transitions

Key tips:

• D to G: Pivot on your ring finger for faster movement.
• D to A: Slide your fingers together as a unit to minimize delay.
• D to Em: Lift all fingers, then set down Em shape quickly.

Practice transitions slowly, increasing speed as you get comfortable.

Additional Tips

• Sing along as you strum to keep the timing steady.
• Count “1-2-3-4” for each measure to help stay in rhythm.
• Play softly to capture the song’s reflective mood.

With practice, you’ll be able to play along smoothly and enjoy this classic cowboy song!