Whenever I find a classic song like Down On The Corner with easy ʻukulele chords I get really excited. It’s even better when the original recording uses those same easy chords!
This Credence Clearwater Revival hit from the 60s only contains C, F, and G7. So it’s a perfect beginner song if you’re just starting to strum the ʻukulele.
Here’s what those ʻukulele chords look like:
C major
F major
G7
You can use a strumming pattern something like this, but remember to keep your hand moving the WHOLE time (hand pattern shown with down and up arrows):
V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V^ D D DU U UD
Willy And The Poor Boys
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Intro:
A |-3----0---------|-3---3---0-------|------------2---|-3---3-----------|
E |---------3------|-----------------|-3-----3--------|-----------------|x2
C |----------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
G |----------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
A |-8----5---------|-8---8---5-------|------------7---|-10--10----------|
E |---------8------|-----------------|-8-----8--------|-----------------|
C |----------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
G |----------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
A |-3----0---------|-3---3---0-------|------------2---|-3---3-----------|
E |---------3------|-----------------|-3-----3--------|-----------------|
C |----------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
G |----------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
C G7 C
Early in the evening, just around supper time
G7 C
Over by the courthouse, they're starting to unwind
F C
Four kids on the corner, trying to bring you up
G7 C
Willy picks a tune out and he blows it on the harp
Chorus:
F C G7 C
Down on the corner, out in the street
F C
Willy and the Poor-boys are playing
G7 C
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
C G7 C
Rooster hits the washboard, and people just gotta smile,
G7 C
Blinky thumps the gut bass and solos for a while
F C
Poor-boy twangs the rhythm out on his Kalamazoo
G7 C
And Willy goes into a dance and doubles on Kazoo
Chorus:
F C G7 C
Down on the corner, out in the street
F C
Willy and the Poor-boys are playing
G7 C
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Intro:
A |-3----0---------|-3---3---0-------|------------2---|-3---3-----------|
E |---------3------|-----------------|-3-----3--------|-----------------|x2
C |----------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
G |----------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
A |-8----5---------|-8---8---5-------|------------7---|-10--10----------|
E |---------8------|-----------------|-8-----8--------|-----------------|
C |----------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
G |----------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
A |-3----0---------|-3---3---0-------|------------2---|-3---3-----------|
E |---------3------|-----------------|-3-----3--------|-----------------|
C |----------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
G |----------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
Chorus:
F C G7 C
Down on the corner, out in the street
F C
Willy and the Poor-boys are playing
G7 C
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
C G7 C
You don't need a penny just to hang around
G7 C
But if you got a nickel won't you lay your money down
F C
Over on the corner there's a happy noise
G7 C
People come from all around to watch the magic boy
Chorus:
F C G7 C
Down on the corner, out in the street
F C
Willy and the Poor-boys are playing
G7 C
Bring a nickel, tap your feet