Down South Chords – Paul McCartney

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Key: G · Capo: No Capo · BPM: 120 · Difficulty: Beginner · Chords: G, C, Am, Em, D
Speed 0.5
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[Intro]
 
G
 
 
[Verse 1]
 
G
 Well, we were travelling on
C           G
the Chester Road
                       C
A lorry driver picking up
  G
a load said
                
"Where you heading, boys?
    C      G
You need a ride?"
                C
We said, "We're heading

down south"
                G
And we jumped inside
 
 
[Chorus]
 
         Am            
It was a good way
          Em
to get to know you
  Am                      Em
A fine way to work it all out
         Am      
It was a good way
          Em
to get to know you
           C
As we were making our way
     G
down south
    D         C          G
Oh, yeah, oh, yeah, down south
 
 
[Verse 2]
 
G
 The morning bus was where
   C         G
we two would meet
         
I sat beside you on
   C     G
an empty seat
                
We'd talk about guitars
    C        G
and rock and roll
              C
They were the subjects that
                    G    Em
would never grow old
 
 
[Chorus]
 
         Am        
It was a good way
          Em
to get to know you
  Am                      Em
A fine way to work it all out
         Am      
It was a good way
          Em
to get to know you
          C
Before we learned to twist
    G
and shout
    D         C
Oh, yeah, oh, yeah
          G
Before we learned to twist

and shout
 
 
[Verse 3]
 
G
 The lorry went as far
   C        G
as he could go
               
And dropped us off
         C    G
beside a busy road
         
We had to find somewhere
   C        G
to stay the night
       Am
But we knew that we would
     Em
be alright
 
 
[Chorus]
 
         Am       
It was a good way
          Em
to get to know you
  Am                      Em
A fine way to work it all out
         Am      
It was a good way
          Em
to get to know you
           C
As we were bombing around
     G
down south
    D         C          G     Am  Em  Am  Em
Oh, yeah, oh, yeah, down south    
         Am       
It was a good way
          Em
to get to know you
           C
As we were bombing around
     G
down south.
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ℹ️ About This Song

“Down South” is a feel-good, sing-along track from Paul McCartney’s album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane. Played in the key of G Major with No Capo, the song tells a nostalgic story of youthful road trips and friendships over a driving 120 BPM tempo. The progression relies on simple open chords — G, C, Am, Em, D — making it a fantastic pick for beginners looking for a classic McCartney feel.

Track Info

  • Song: Down South
  • Artist: Paul McCartney
  • Album: The Boys of Dungeon Lane

Chords Info

  • Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E)
  • Key: G Major
  • Capo: No Capo
  • BPM: 120
  • Chords: G, C, Am, Em, D
  • Difficulty: Easy

Playing Tips

  • Strumming Pattern: A simple, driving D – D – U – U – D – U pattern works perfectly at 120 BPM. Keep a lively, bouncy feel to match the storytelling energy.
  • Verse Rhythm: The G chord sustains for most of each verse line before switching to C and G near the end. Let the G ring out and make the C – G transition crisp.
  • Chorus Build-Up: The Am – Em pattern in the chorus repeats three times before resolving to C – G and D – C – G. Use dynamics to build energy through each repetition.

Difficulty

This song is rated Easy. All chords are standard open shapes (G, C, Am, Em, D) with no barre chords required. The consistent structure and repeating chorus make it very approachable for beginners.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What key is Down South Chords – Paul McCartney in?

Down South Chords – Paul McCartney is in the key of G.

What chords do I need for Down South Chords – Paul McCartney?

You need G, C, Am, Em, D to play Down South Chords – Paul McCartney.

Do I need a capo for Down South Chords – Paul McCartney?

Yes, place a capo on the No Capo to play Down South Chords – Paul McCartney.

How hard is Down South Chords – Paul McCartney to play on guitar?

Down South Chords – Paul McCartney is rated Beginner. It uses simple open chords and is great for new players.

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