Learn to Play “Green, Green Rocky Road” | Patreon Song of the Month

“Green, Green Rocky Road” is a traditional song that originated in the American South as a popular children’s game tune, nicely documented by folklorist Harold Courlander in a recording he made in the early 1950s in rural Alabama. The song has seen many excellent interpretations over the years, by the likes of Dave Van Ronk, Arlo Guthrie, Elizabeth Mitchell, Van Morrison, and others. 

The dropped-D arrangement here tips its hat to the Van Ronk version, and shows how a dynamic guitar part can be created from just two chords, the I and the IV, or D and G in the key of D major. (Note that Van Ronk played the song with a capo at the fourth fret, causing it to sound in the key of F-sharp major.)

Begin by getting into dropped D; in case you are unfamiliar with this tuning, it is the same as standard, but with the sixth string tuned down a whole step, to D from E. In the key of D, this allows for a big-sounding open D chord.   

The guitar part here can work in several ways. With its alternating bass line, syncopated melodic strands, and chordal fragments, it serves as a detailed accompaniment part that supports the vocals while generating greater interest than more straightforward strumming textures. At the same time, since the accompaniment incorporates the song’s melody, it can be played as a standalone instrumental piece, ideally with subtle variations on the repeats. This guitar part can also serve as a refreshing interlude between verses.

However you play this arrangement, keep in mind that it is based largely around the two chord shapes shown in Example 1. The D is fingered the same as in standard tuning, but the G varies, as the root falls on string 6, fret 5, rather than fret 3, as in standard tuning. (Note that, technically speaking, the G chord is G5, since it lacks the third [B]). For the most part, you’ll want to hold down each chord shape as long as possible, removing fretting fingers as needed, to play open-string notes, etc.

Once you have mastered this arrangement, you should not only have a new tune in your repertoire, but an approach you can borrow for playing virtually any traditional song.

The TAB and notation for “Green, Green Rocky Road” are available to members of the Acoustic Guitar Patreon page at the Supporters tier or higher. Join our community to access live workshops, song transcriptions (like “Hotel California,” “Hello in There,” “The Entertainer,” and more!), exclusive podcast episodes, and guitar lessons.