"Written In Stone" by Randy Travis is a heartfelt country ballad. The original version is typically played with a gentle, steady rhythm, highlighting Travis’s smooth vocals and storytelling style. This suits acoustic guitar, making it accessible for beginners who want to capture its sincere feel.
## Chords
The song uses basic open chords: D, G, A, Em, and C. These are all beginner-friendly. Practice switching between D-G and D-A, as these transitions repeat often.
## Strumming Pattern
A simple down-down-up-up-down-up pattern works well (D-D-U-U-D-U). For a softer touch, use mostly downstrokes, especially during verses, to match the ballad style. Focus on keeping the rhythm relaxed and even.
## Transitions and Techniques
**- The main progression is D to G and back, which is common in country songs. To change smoothly, keep your ring finger anchored on the third fret when moving between G and D.
- For Em and C changes, lift only the fingers you need for efficiency.
- Practice moving from A to Em quickly, as it happens several times in the bridge and chorus.**
## Additional Tips
**- Play the intro and outro gently, perhaps using just single downstrokes.
- If singing along, start singing right after the first D chord.
- Listen to the original to get a sense of the tempo and dynamics.**
With practice, this song is a great way to build confidence in chord changes and rhythm.
IntroD D
Verse 1I'm gonna take youD down to the riverside, where the water runs slow and wide
There's aG big ol' rock, out in the middle, and I took my hammer and chisel
AndD worked all night so you could see, just how much you mean to me
IG carved your name right next to mine, and it'll be there til the end of time
A And my love willEm last at least thatA long
ChorusIt'sD written inG stone how I feel for you. It's written inD stone what I want to do
Spend myEm life and life hereC after lovingD you
And darlin' if weG live to be a hundred or if we don'tD make it half that long
I want you toEm know what I feel forC you is written inD stone
Verse 2There's a place on theD edge of town, when I was a kid I found
G Two names on a stone together, lyin' side by side forever
D And it was then and there I knew, if I ever thought a love was true
G I'd surely want to write it down, on somethin' that would be around
A When all the spokenEm words have come andA gone
ChorusIt'sD written inG stone how I feel for you. It's written inD stone what I want to do
Spend myEm life and life hereC after lovingD you
And darlin' if weG live to be a hundred or if we don'tD make it half that long
I want you toEm know what I feel forC you is written inD stone
BridgeA And when thisEm life has come andA gone, our love willD still be
Final ChorusWritten inG stone how I feel for you. Written inD stone what I want to do
Spend myEm life and life hereC after lovin'D you
And darlin' if weG live to be a hundred or if we don'tD make it half that long
I want you toEm know what I feel forC you is written inD stone
OutroI want you toEm know how I feel forC you is written inD stone
IsC written inD stone. IsC written inD stone