Harry Belafonte - Jamaica Farewell Ukulele Chords
Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
Ukulele C chord diagram
Ukulele F chord diagram
Ukulele G7 chord diagram
[Opening]
[C]Down the way where the [F]nights are gay
And the [G7]sun shines gaily on the [C]mountain top
[C]I took a trip on a [F]sailing ship
And when I [G7]reached Jamaica I [C]made a stop
[chorus]
[C]But I’m sad to say, [F]I’m on my way
[G7]Won’t be back for [C]many a day
Me [C]heart is down, me head is [F]turning around
I had to [G7]leave a little girl in [C]Kingston town
[section 2]
[C]Down at the market [F]you can hear
Ladies [G7]cry out while on their [C]heads they bear
[C]Akee, rice, salt [F]fish are nice
And the [G7]rum is fine any [C]time of year
[chorus]
[C]But I’m sad to say, [F]I’m on my way
[G7]Won’t be back for [C]many a day
Me [C]heart is down, me head is [F]turning around
I had to [G7]leave a little girl in [C]Kingston town
[section 3]
[C]Sounds of laughter [F]everywhere
And the [G7]dancing girls sway [C]to and fro
[C]I must declare my [F]heart is there
Though I’ve [G7]been from Maine to [C]Mexico
[chorus]
[C]But I’m sad to say, [F]I’m on my way
[G7]Won’t be back for [C]many a day
Me [C]heart is down, me head is [F]turning around
I had to [G7]leave a little girl in [C]Kingston town
[chorus]
[C]But I’m sad to say, [F]I’m on my way
[G7]Won’t be back for [C]many a day
Me [C]heart is down, me head is [F]turning around
I had to [G7]leave a little girl in [C]Kingston town
[Closing]
I had to [G7]leave a little girl in [C]Kings[G7]ton [C]town
How to play Jamaica Farewell on Ukulele (Step-by-step)
Harry Belafonte - Jamaica Farewell on ukulele requires 3 chords and 3 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.
Jamaica Farewell uses these transitions most often: G7 → C (16), C → F (14), and F → G7 (14). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with C - F chord transition.
1. C → F chord transition
To move from C to F;
- While playing C, lift your ring finger from A string fret 3.
- Place index finger on E string fret 1.
- Place middle finger on G string fret 2.
2. F → G7 chord transition
To move from F to G7;
- Keep index finger on E string fret 1.
- Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on C string fret 2.
- Place ring finger on A string fret 2.
3. G7 → C chord transition
To move from G7 to C;
- While playing G7, first lift your index finger and middle finger.
- Slide your ring finger on A string from fret 2 to fret 3.
Jamaica Farewell chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Jamaica Farewell.
- Jamaica Farewell includes 46 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
- Jamaica Farewell contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
- These transition patterns show how Jamaica Farewell connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After C, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
- C → F: 16%
- C → G7: 2%
After G7, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (69%), C7 (5%), and F (5%).- G7 → C: 69%