Jolene Chords & Guitar Lesson

Welcome to my Jolene chord chart by Dolly Parton. This is such and amazing song and it can be played very simply or as difficult as your want.

This song has been on my to do list for quite some time and it was a discussion in my Private Facebook Group for course members that finally made me pull it up and get it done.

The chords for this song are very simple, all open chords Am, Em, G and C which makes this a wonderful and fun opportunity for beginner guitar players. Many of these chords are only played for 2 beats, so pay attention to the measure brackets.

There is also a measure of 2/4 (two beat measures) in this song so pay attention for the (2/4) to know which one’s they are.

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Jolene Guitar Chords:

Jolene Strumming Patterns:

Let’s talk about some of the different strumming patterns we can use to play along to this song. You could fingerpick this song as well.

8th Note Strumming:
1 2 + 3 4+
D DU D DU

16th Note Strumming great for split measure chords:
1 2 +a 3 4+a
D DDU D DDU

16th Note Strumming for full measure chords:
1 2 +a 3 e + a 4 e + a
D D DU U U D U DU

When you get into 16th note strumming, there surely will be some variation and improvisation.

Possible Fingerpicking Option:
Am C G Am
e|------------——-|------------—|------------———|------------—|
B|-1--------1——-—|-1-------—0——|-0------—0———| 1------—-1—--|
G|-----2-----— -—|----—0----—--|-------0----——-|-----2----——|
D|---2----——2 —-|--—2----—---2-|--—0----——-0—|---2----——2—|
A|-0---—0-----—-|-3--—-—3---——|---------————|0------0----—|
E|------------——-|------------——|-3-------3----—|------------—|

Jolene Guitar Lesson:

The first video presents a more simplified way for strumming along to Jolene. The second video shows you more about fingerpicking the song if you would like.

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Jolene Chord Chart:

Capo on the 4th Fret.

Intro:
Am Am Am Am

Chorus:
|Am C| G(2/4) Am
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene,    Jolene
         G Am Am
I’m begging of you please don’t take my man
|Am C| G(2/4)    Am
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene,    Jolene
G Am Am
Jolene please don’t him just because you can

Verse:
|Am C| |G Am|
Your beauty is beyond compare with flaming locks of auburn hair
|G Em| Am Am
with ivory skin and eyes of emerald green.
|Am C| |G Am|
Your smile is like a breath of spring your voice is soft like summer rain
|G Em| Am Am
And I cannot compete with you Jolene

Verse:
|Am C|      |G Am|
He talks about you in his sleep and there’s nothing I can do to keep
|G Em| Am   Am
From crying when he calls your name Jolene
|Am C| |G Am|
Now I can easily understand how you could easily take my man
|G Em| Am   Am
But you don’t know what he means to me Jolene

Verse:
|Am C| |G Am|
You can have your choice of men but I could never love again
|G Em| Am Am
He’s the only one for me Jolene
|Am C| |G Am|
I had to have this talk with you, my happiness depends on you
|G Em| Am Am
And whatever you decide to do Jolene

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This file is the author’s own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It’s intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.

We do not distribute printable chord and lyrics charts. These charts are here only to support online learning. We highly recommend buying music from Hal Leonard or a reputable online sheet music store.

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