Video lesson
Get the PDF chord sheet (2 pages)
- Support me on Patreon.com to get access to this and 200+ other PDF chord sheets I've made, plus new PDFs I make going forward (1-2 added each week).
- The cost is $3/month (one month minimum, cancel anytime). Annual plans also available. Here's a free sample if you're on the fence. Thanks!
After clicking the button and logging in to Patreon, look for the PDF attached to the bottom of the post.
Editor’s notes
Hey friends! Here’s a lesson showing you how to play the Ben E. King classic “Stand By Me” with an acoustic guitar, no capo, key of C. Notably, I’m deviating from the “official” key of this song (Key of A) in order to prioritize an “easy to play & sounds just like the song” arrangement, which I trust you’ll find helpful. I break the lesson into two halves: (1) learning the intro, and then (2) learning how to strum the verse & chorus sections. Here’s timestamps for my video lesson:
- 0:00 Lesson overview
- 2:10 Intro riff: the basics
- 9:13 Intro riff: adding percussion
- 16:02 Verse & chorus strumming
- 23:46 Full playthrough
I hope you enjoy!
Notes on capo and “key”
Ben E. King’s version of this song is in the Key of A. Most guitar lessons show you how to play it in the key of G, using capo on 2nd fret. I don’t care for either of these options, when playing solo acoustic guitar. Why? Neither allows you to play the full bass line tab, due to the guitar “not going low enough” with regard to available bass notes. As such, I like to play it in the Key of C, which is what I do in my lesson.
If you do want to use the key of C and play along with Ben E. King’s version, slap a capo on the 9th fret.
Intro tab
See PDF chord sheet.
Lyrics with chords
C C Am Am
When the night, has come... and the land is dark
F G C C
And the moon is the only... light we'll see
C C Am Am
No I won't... be afraid... oh, I won't... be afraid
F G C C
Just as long... as you stand... stand by me... so darling, darling
C C Am Am
Stand... by me... oh, stand... by me
F G C C
Oh, stand....... stand by me... stand by me
C C Am Am
If the sky... that we look upon....... should tumble and fall
F G C C
Or the mountain... should crumble... to the sea
C C Am Am
I won't cry... I won't cry... no, I won't... shed a tear
F G C C
Just as long... as you stand... stand by me... and darling, darling
[C] Stand, by [C] me... oh, [Am] stand, by [Am] me... Whoa, [F] stand...[G], stand by me [C], stand by me [C]
[ Instrumental verse ]
[C] Darling, darling
[C] Stand... by [C] me... oh, [Am] stand, by [Am] me... oh, [F] stand...[G], stand by me [C], stand by me [C]
[C] Whenever you're in trouble won't you
[C] Stand... by [C] me... oh, [Am] stand, by [Am] me... oh, [F] stand...[G], stand by me [C], stand by me [C]
[ repeat chorus if desired, fade out, end on C ]
Enjoy my lessons? Buy me a beer!
If this and my other lessons have proven helpful to you, please consider making a one-time donation to my tip jar. Contributions of any amount help make this project possible (including the many, many hours I put into it).
You can also support me on Patreon. For only $3/month you'll get access to a print-friendly PDF of my notes for each new lesson (view free sample).
Thanks!
Subscribe to my YouTube channel
Be sure to never miss a lesson by subscribing on YouTube. I put out 2-3 new videos every week. These include full song lessons, as well as covers, practice tips, behind-the-scenes updates. Thanks!
Recent video lessons:
📝 Print-friendly PDFs now available for all new lessons I make, including all those listed below. Get a free sample »
-
Wellerman (Sea Shanty)
by Nathan Evans
Jan 13, 2020 • Lesson #346
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Melody Notes in "Can't Help Falling in Love"
Warm-Up Exercise
Jan 10, 2020 • Lesson #344
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Blank Guitar Tab Templates
Free PDF (7-pages)
Jan 9, 2020 • Lesson #345
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Auld Lang Syne
traditional New Years song
Dec 30, 2020 • Lesson #203
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Sunday Morning Coming Down
by Johnny Cash / K. Kristofferson
Dec 28, 2020 • Lesson #98
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
O Holy Night
by Sufjan Stevens
Dec 24, 2020 • Lesson #343
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Nothing Compares 2 U
by Chris Cornell
Dec 12, 2020 • Lesson #339
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Cats in the Cradle
by Harry Chapin
Dec 5, 2020 • Lesson #341
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Sweet Virginia
by The Rolling Stones
Nov 29, 2020 • Lesson #340
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Last Christmas
by Wham!
Nov 28, 2020 • Lesson #200
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
You've Got a Friend in Me
Toy Story / Randy Newman
Nov 22, 2020 • Lesson #338
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Enough to Leave
by Billy Strings
Nov 15, 2020 • Lesson #337
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
by Bob Dylan
Nov 8, 2020 • Lesson #88
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
"Starlight" Riff in F#
Warm-Up Exercise
Nov 8, 2020 • Lesson #336
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Thunder Road
by Bruce Springsteen
Nov 1, 2020 • Lesson #335
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
G finger position guide
Tips & Technique
Oct 25, 2020 • Lesson #334
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Wish You Were Here
by Pink Floyd
Oct 23, 2020 • Lesson #65
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Father and Son
by Cat Stevens
Oct 18, 2020 • Lesson #333
Watch Video & Get PDF »
-
Layla (acoustic)
by Eric Clapton
Oct 11, 2020 • Lesson #103
Watch Video & Get PDF »